City Slicker takes second during Combine Derby

During the entrance of combines during the 25th annual Lind Combine Demolition Derby, the majority of the crowd most likely underestimated the potential talent of the “City Slicker” combine, driven by Seattle native Ed Favilla.

But Favilla proved that the theme of the combine did not describe the caliber of talent from the driver as he crushed his competition, eventually capturing the second place title. Favilla’s combine and outfit helped to gain the attention of spectators, in particular his giant orange “cowboy” hat that could easily be seen even over the top of the combine.

As a first year driver, Favilla was skeptical about being successful at the derby but entering a combine in the derby was a family affair. Favilla’s sister, Theresa Longmeier, is the daughter-in-law of Dick and Gladys Nagamitsu from Lind.

Favilla attended the derby a few times, but had not returned to Lind for the derby in 10 to 15 years.

“My nephew was in the derby and my sister always tried to talk us into it,” Favilla explained. “I said, ‘If you find a combine, I’ll drive it.’ In November or December my sister found a combine. My first reaction was, ‘Oh brother, now I have to go drive that thing!’”

Favilla had been raised on a farm and had driven a fair amount of equipment in his lifetime so he learned how to maneuver the combine rather quickly. He has worked for Boeing and lived in Seattle for the past 24 years.

Recently, Longmeier had been diagnosed with cancer and Favilla saw the derby as an opportunity to bring the family together and show support for his sister. Longmeier is currently undergoing cancer treatment in Seattle and could not attend the derby this year.

Favilla kept and worked on his combine at the Longmeier’s farm in Benton City before having it hauled to Lind for the derby. His brother, Bob, helped him find sponsors and created the signs and outfit for Favilla to wear. The combine ended up with 11 sponsors, and Favilla was thankful of their support as it allowed him with the opportunity to compete.

“I got ready to go and drive it in the parade and I didn’t even know about the signs or the hat,” said Favilla. “But afterwards people said that they weren’t sure I was still in it and then they saw the hat bouncing around.”

Favilla admits that he was unaware that he was one of the final two combines until his combine stopped and the opposing driver, Tyler Startin, began celebrating. Favilla said that while he did not go there to lose and he tried to compete, he was still surprised to get second.

“My sister kept calling from Seattle and called my sister from Florida every half an hour and checking on how we were doing. It was good for her; it gave her something to do. She enjoyed the day a lot too and that we placed,” he explained.

The City Slicker pit crew was composed primarily of family members and added to the overall experience of the event. Former driver, Mike Longmeier is Favilla’s nephew and worked on the combine when it was in Benton City as well as being part of the pit crew during the event.

“It was a lot of fun, doing it as a family,” said Favilla. “Before the derby, we talked about if we won, our plan was to donate it back. We wanted to have the money given to a family going through cancer treatment or to cancer research.”

Favilla donated the money back to the Lind Lions Club with the hope that the $1,000 helps to support a local family or individual who is battling cancer. He said that while money is always nice to have, he would rather see the money be used to assist somebody else in need.

Overall, Favilla enjoyed the atmosphere of the event and being a part of the parade. He commented about how helpful the Lions Club members were, especially Josh Knodel and Mike Doyle, who helped him get organized and ready for the derby.

For Favilla, one of the moments he remembers vividly is the driver’s meeting just before the derby. He said that he could not stop laughing because everybody knew the local terminology and he was clueless.

“They were talking about how the parade would go and said stuff like, ‘Go to Frank’s where the tractor is parked and then turn left next to Slims,’ and I was laughing the whole time they were speaking. I had no idea what they were talking about,” Favilla laughed.

But Favilla got in line and waved happily to those individuals who lined the sidewalks and braved the less than ideal weather conditions. He also appreciated the opportunity he had to meet and talk with other drivers who had come from all over the state to participate in the derby.

During Favilla’s first heat in the derby, his combine suffered a severe amount of damage and he was worried the crew would not be able to make the necessary adjustments in time. The combine had lost a belt during the round and could not run without it. Favilla did not have an extra belt, but thankfully, a neighboring driver in the pits had a spare for him to use.

“There were a lot of nice guys that were part of it and they gave me advice for my first heat,” said Favilla of his competitors. “It’s a good event. In the arena, the drivers are out there competing, but back in the pits, they all share and help each other.”

Favilla also talked about the small-world experience he had in Pasco on Saturday morning and how it helped to show him the camaraderie that takes place at the event.

“I was in Pasco the morning of the event getting diesel for the pick-up next to a truck that was being fueled. The spout fell out of the tank and I kicked the nozzle to turn it off,” he explained.

When Favilla entered the store to explain what had happened, he had to go next to the ice machine where he saw a man picking up a lot of bags of ice. Favilla said that it looked like the man was going to a good party, in which his response was he was heading to Lind for a combine derby.

“It was like the Kevin Bacon of combines,” joked Favilla. “Only six degrees of separation!”

The man was a member of the Washington State University pit crew at the derby and when Favilla needed a Hyster to help lift the header of his combine before the final round, he found himself at the WSU combine. The man recognized him and the team lent him the Hyster, which allowed him to complete the repairs on his combine.

Favilla returned to Seattle after the derby and immediately began telling coworkers about his success and sharing photos. Those photos were viewed by many members at the Boeing plant but then also ended up going worldwide to other workers for Boeing.

Even though the majority of Favilla’s coworkers are still baffled by the derby, Favilla hopes it is something that he can get more “city slickers” involved in. He has expectations of participating at least one more year and has already picked up parts to make the repairs on his combine for the next Lind Combine Demolition Derby.