Lawn mowers added to demolition derby

Franklin County Fair By KEVIN CORVO Wednesday July 16, 2014 9:37 AM

Demolition derbies are a tradition at the Franklin County Fair, but this year, the fair is showcasing a first-of-its-kind, last-driver-standing competition.

John Deere and International Harvester machines will run in the same show as those mammoth Buicks and Fords.

A lawn mower class will be included in this year's demolition derby beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard.

The demolition derby has traditionally been the last event on the final day of the eight-day fair and also one its largest draws, usually attracting drivers and fans from as far as 75 miles away.

This year's lawn mower derby is believed to be the first ever in Franklin County, said Tim Clark, a promoter for London-based Smash-It Demolition Derbies.

Clark said the company began staging lawn mower competitions seven years ago and this year has about 35 shows scheduled, most at county fairs in Ohio.

"Some of our younger (auto) drivers had the idea to do it and it grew from there," Clark said.

There was a learning curve for the event, he said, and rules are different in the lawn mower class than for the automobiles.

One primary difference is that the lawn mowers have no batteries.

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Lawn mowers added to demolition derby