OTHELLO - Demolition fans in Othello were treated to massive crashes, clouds of smoke and mudslinging tires as drivers around the Columbia Basis began what is expected to be a wild demolition derby season.

The Fourth of July holiday event, held in conjunction with Othello's Sun Fair, saw a capacity crowd cheering for their favorite demolition vehicle.

Fifty entrants, including eleven women, thrilled the audience with four trophy dashes, six heat races, an Australian pursuit race and the Smash for the Cash grand finale.

Trophy Dash winners included Griffin Kemball, Jeanne Clausen and Brian Robertson. Heat race winners included Shawn Clausen, Mark Eldridge, Kirk Schlehuber, Nick Olson, Bob Clausen, and T.J. Kemball.

The Smash for the Cash grand finale brought all the contestants together on the arena floor for a wild, battle to the finish demolition event which took 36 minutes to complete.

In the end the Bobby Walker's No. 75 car, and Othello's Max Randall's No. 94 car locked in a tie for first place.

Walker, of Walla Walla, called the derby an adrenaline rush as he surveyed the damage to his vehicle. Walker plans to campaign his car throughout the demolition derby season in the Columbia Basin.

Observing the festivities was longtime flagman Dick Elmore, clad in his powder blue tuxedo. Elmore danced in an out of racing cars all evening while tossing candy to fans in the stands.

The derby was an action packed event that organizer Gary Pierson called, "Great." The demolition derby ended just before sunset and the Fourth of July Fireworks festivities over Othello.