Trio dominates demolition derby

DOWAGIAC - David Helmke, his cousin Jay White III"This was the first time we ran against each other"
and Jay's wife Brooke captured three of the topsince the 12-year, third-generation driver introduced
four places in the Unique Motor Sports Demolitionher to demolition derbies four years ago. "Her driver's
Derby Saturday night at the Berrien County Youthside back tire was literally in the middle of another
Fair in Berrien Springs, which is why there were threeguy's car, right over the top. The audience went
demolished cars - two Lincoln Town Cars and Jay'snuts" for the silver car with the air cleaner painted
"Tony Stewart orange" Ford Mercury Grand Marquis,pink. "She's got just as many wins as I do" in eight
all with Chevy engines - beside Clinton Streetfewer years. It takes about 200 hours to build a
Monday."competitive car," White said.
Helmke, a former football player who won a total ofHelmke's Town Car was painted with a military motif
$650, said, "I'm still smashing stuff up. Before I was"to support the troops," which didn't keep him from
smashing heads, now I'm smashing cars." "Theregetting booed like a villain when he went after "the
were probably 50 cars that showed up," Jay said.Perfect 10" in her pink Cadillac on the 31st
"It's one of the bigger derbies in Michigan" with fiveanniversary of Elvis Presley's death.
qualifying heats leading to the feature. The WhitesTheir sponsors include FCI Construction, Benny's
finished third and fourth to an Indiana man. BrookeBarber Shop, Dave Jerz and Keith Fenech of First
"put a couple of good hits on me. I was trying toChoice Auto.
leave her alone," Jay said.