Cars collide in the Balta Demolition Derby’s championship round Aug. 3 at Balta Dam. Pictured are the cars of Michael Goulet (yellow), Towner native; Kyle Wetzel (blue), of Saskatchewan; and Mike Smith (purple), of Belcourt.

BALTA – Hundreds gathered at the Balta Dam for the annual demolition derby Aug. 3. Fans were treated to loads of collisions as 12 cars competed in the main class and nine joined the first-year herby class.

Jason Gross, of Harvey, took home the $1,000 grand prize with his main class final victory. Gross and his 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis outlasted second- and third-place cars of Kyle Wetzel (Saskatchewan) and Jackson Bernstein (Bottineau).

Wetzel won $600 and Bernstein won $300.

The top three converged near the middle of the pit and Gross repeatedly rammed the stuck vehicle of Bernstein. Wetzel ran out of steam and the 22-year derby veteran Gross was declared the winner.

“This is the only (derby) I’ll do this year,” Gross said. “It’s just one where the time frame was right. I didn’t think I had the car for it, but it works.”

Gross said he was hoping to retire soon, but tasting victory will make that decision difficult again this year.