Pursuing A Demo Dream

Nick Hansen and his demo ride.

Story by Ken DeLaat

6 years ago Nick Hansen came to work at Super Lube in Newaygo.
And in doing so he found an extended family who helped make a dream come true.
At N3 World Headquarters we have been patronizing the facility on M-37 for a lot of years and Nick is a fixture on the crew having learned his job well under the tutelage of Manager Dan Mayle and the rest of the Super Lube crew. 
Given his lifetime love of  cars it has been a perfect fit for Nick.
Last month during the Newaygo County Fair Nick hopped into the minivan sponsored by the oil change store and competed in the Demolition Derby.

Dan Mayle: “We were sitting around one day and I said ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to get Nick in  a Derby?’ We got his Mom’s permission and about 2 days later we found this old van.
"That was a year ago. The race didn’t happen last year.”

With the pandemic cancelling fair activities the initiative was put on ce but when this year came around the idea began to get traction again and Nick was entered into the Derby.
And he finished 6th out of 20.

“We had a strategy worked out for him and been working with him for at least a month or more,  but once he started the race he was like ‘heck with you guys I got my own strategy’,” Dan said with a laugh.

Nick: “Well it was my first time doing it and I started out letting everyone else hit me.”

Dan: “About 20 lined up and they said’ Go’. Everyone took off but Nick. He backed it up like he was in a grocery store.  He took a first good hit but he was still going.”
“We all had a great time, especially Nick  and we kind of decided to do it again next year. “

I  asked Nick if he was ready to give it another go next year. 
His reply?
An enthusiastic, “Oh Yeah!”

“He wants another shot at the title” added Dan with a grin.

Nick ready for action- Photo by Charles Vannette

Nick with Store Manager (and good buddy) Dan Mayle