By George Starks
GREENVILLE- When it comes to the annual demolition derby at the Great Darke County Fair, the name Dillman is synonymous in the event.
The 2022 edition will go down with a bit of a twist though.
The winner of the opening heat was a Dillman.
Not so unusual but this time it was a 10 year old that carried that last name.
Alex Dillman outlasted his dad, Tom, to win the opening heat of the derby.
“I really wanted to do this because it looked like fun,” said Alex. “I was happy that I won but I was more happy because I beat my dad.”
It wasn’t clear to the fifth grader that he was close to winning until he realized one thing.
“I knew I had a shot at winning when I realized it was down to only three of us,” Alex said with a smile/
With his car overheating, Tom was forced to exit the competition, giving his son the victory.
“He’s out in the garage helping me everyday,” said Tom. “I’m the happiest dad that I could ever be.”
When young Alex went to his dad telling him he wanted to get into the derby, Tom’s advice was very simple.
“I told him if that’s what he wanted to do, then go for it,” Dillman admitted. “I also told him if he was scared, not to do it and just shut it down. I ran most of that race with no steering but I wasn’t going to leave him alone. My car had finally overheated and would start so I had to stop.”
The third place finisher was a young girl, Haley Haye.
CNO Photo by Brandy Lewis – Ten year old Alex Dillman exits his car after winning his heat Saturday in the annual demolition derby at the Darke County Fair. The victory pocketed the young Arcanum student 1,000 dollars.