By: Bryan Hebson
The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association headed into the 2006 race season with new corporate sponsors, new drivers, new tarp auctions, and new incentives.
Flint Energy Services, Lennox Home Comfort Systems, Roper Apparel and Footwear, The Gold Eagle Casino, Northern Factory Work Wear, and Newcap Broadcasting put their support behind the CPCA.
The Lennox CPCA Race Reports were broadcast on ten radio stations twice a week promoting the CPCA drivers and sponsors and providing fans with news and reviews from behind the barns and around the track.
The Roper Apparel and Footwear Race of the Week and Northern Factory Work Wear Fast Time of the Night were two initiatives that rewarded the drivers, while Flint Energy Services sponsored numerous initiatives including the Rookie Driver Award.
In 2005, the CPCA lost seven race days prior to the Calgary Stampede due to rain outs and the first show of 2006 in Melfort was a carbon copy of 2005 as heavy rains and unsafe track conditions caused the cancellation of that show.
The kick-off to the 2006 season was short delayed as the dust was flying June 2 to 4 at the Little Pine Race Track west of North Battleford. Shane Nolin, Jim Knight and Tim Haroldson thundered down the stretch in the Little Pine Dash for Cash with Nolin recording the victory.
The CPCA raced under cloudy skies June 9 to 11 in Cold Lake with Jim Knight recording the Northern Factory Work Wear Fast Time of the Night all three nights en route to the Cold Lake Championship.
Dewberry hosted a three-day show during the Fathers Day weekend where Vern Nolin took home the Alan Bensmiller Memorial Buckle. Nolin made it two in a row nosing out Todd Baptiste in Wainwright the following weekend.
Thirteen CPCA drivers headed to the Calgary Stampede July 7 to 16 and it was Brian Laboucane’s barn that came to life as he finished among the top ten. Laboucane carried over his momentum into St. Walburg capturing his hometown show, then Wayne Knight kicked into gear in Meadow Lake winning the Meadow Lake International.
Bruce Morin had the speed in Turtleford, then Wayne Knight “turned and burned” and crossed the wire before the hail fell in Saskatoon to win his second show of 2006.
The Westridge GMC Finals in Lloydminster was full of excitement and drama as drivers raced to qualify for the 2007 Calgary Stampede and the Westridge GMC Championship.
Vern Nolin, Brian Laboucane, Jim Knight, and Gary Gorst lined up for the final and it was Gorst and Laboucane who put on a wheel-to-wheel show with Labocuane winning by a head and driving away with another championship truck.
The last event of the season was the CPCA awards banquet held on October 21. Dale Michel, Kelly Morin, and Jamie Laboucane were the three rookie drivers on the CPCA Pro Tour in 2006 and all three were competitive. After a see-saw battle, Laboucane edged out Morin by only 4.5 points for the Flint Energy Services Rookie Driver buckle.
Ross Fisher won the Lloyd Bus Greyhound Most Improved Driver Award. Fisher spent the spring with veteran driver Ray Mitsuing and it was obvious early in the race season that his commitment would pay off.
Brian Laboucane who earlier received a set of keys for his Canadian Championship was awarded the Hoof and Nail High Point Driver Award. Laboucane finished 29.5 points ahead of second place Gary Gorst.
The race for the CPCA High Point Outrider Award was fierce with the Gorst brothers, Logan and Dustin, putting on their version of “The Family Feud.”
Like the Westridge GMC Championship, the outriding title came down to the wire, and when the last hoof crossed the line it was Dustin Gorst wearing the Randy Evans memorial buckle as the High Point Outriding Champion. Gorst finished with 2629 points; Garrett Wyness was second with 2478, while Logan was third with 2106.5.
The CPCA awards banquet wrapped up with Dustin receiving the keys to a new GMC championship outrider truck. Other awards included:
• Media Person of the Year: Jason Lee from CJWW Radio in Saskatoon
• Show Committee of the Year: Saskatoon Prairieland Park
• Chuckwagon Family of the Year: Rod and Dianne Salmond and Family (sponsored by Lloydminster Credit Union)
• Youth Achievement Award: Brett Nolin
• Rookie Outrider Award: Kelly Arnold
Prior to the awards banquet, the CPCA held their Annual Fall Meeting where a few changes were made to the executive team.
Ross Knight and Harvey Leer join Gary Gorst, Grant Preece, and Ray Mitsuing as driver directors. Dale Hawryliw (CPCA president) and Jim Knight (vice president) head into their second year in there roles.
For more on the CPCA and the sport of chuckwagon racing, visit www.cpcaracing.com
