I was really looking forward to a weekend full of chuckwagons and sunshine, but I guess you can’t always get what you want. Especially it seems when you live in an area that is destined to have downpours what seems like every other day.
Luckily for me, I was able to attend the chuckwagon races in Bonnyville on one of the two nights they were actually able to run the races. I decided not to attend Thursday night’s action, because I had to work the next morning and I would have three more opportunities to see the races, so I thought.
Although Friday was the only day I was able to attend the races since the Saturday evening and Sunday performances were cancelled due to the rain, it was still an exciting evening of racing. It became a little bit more exciting after the fact, since Friday’s results became the deciding factor of who would hold the title of 2011 Bonnyville chuckwagon champion.
After the Friday night performance, driver Grant Profit climbed his way to the top of the aggregate standings with a quick run 1:15.53s, which although impressive was not the fastest team around the track for the night. After his weekend in Bonnyville, Profit also climbed his way to the top of the world standings.
The fastest time of the weekend and holder of the new Bonnyville chuckwagon track record went to Mike Vigen, with a time of 1:15:21s, set during the Friday night action. Vigen also rounded up fourth place in the aggregate standings after his speedy performance.
In second and third in the aggregate were Luke Tournier and Kelly Sutherland, respectively. After the first two days of racing this is how the aggregate standings stayed since the wagons were unfortunately unable to race again over the rainy weekend.
I was personally looking forward to seeing local Bonnyville drivers Rae Croteau Jr. and Doug Irvine take their turn at the half-mile of hell. Both wagons performed well, but could have used a few more days to make up some ground in the aggregate standings. Croteau ended up in 17th place overall and Irvine finished in 20th.
Luckily the sun was able to shine for two days of racing, which gave local chuckwagon fans the chance to experience some of the best chuckwagon racing Bonnyville has seen. The chuckwagon track was expanded this year to accommodate four wagon heats, where last year wagons only raced three at a time. The larger track made for a quicker night of racing and increased excitement as the four wagons ripped around the barrels and quickly on to the track.
Hopefully, next year for my annual chuckwagon outing, the rain will stay away and allow me to enjoy the full extent of racing excitement.
Instead, this year I opted for classic rainy day activities such as sleeping and enjoying movies in my dry and warm living room.
