By: Billy Melville
After a successful start to the 2007 at the Grande Prairie Stompede, the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour was scheduled to race in Medicine Hat for the Medicine Exhibition and Stampede.
Unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to sub standard track conditions. It may be rescheduled in late August after the Red Deer finals.
Next, it was off to Lethbridge for the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Derby June 15-17, 2007. Luke Tournier took top money on day 1 by just 10 one-hundredths of a second over Grande Prairie champion Jerry Bremner.
On day 2 Kelly Sutherland was the top wagon by a mere 5 one-hundreds of a second over WPCA sophomore Obrey Motowylo, and Rae Croteau Jr. was tops in the aggregate after 2 days at 2:09.10. Day 3 saw Mark Sutherland take the day money by 66 one-hundreds of a second over Grant Profit and Luke Tournier who split 2nd and 3rd for the day.
When the 3 day aggregate was over, it was Luke Tournier - driving the Lady Luck Outfit - along with outriders Shawn Calf Robe and Eddie Melville who claimed the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Derby with a total time of 3:13.52.
Mark Sutherland, in search of his first career win, finished 2nd just 2 one-hundredths of a second behind Tournier at 3:13.54. Kelly Sutherland, Jerry Bremner and Mike Vigen rounded out the top 5 overall. Shane Cartier received the DC Energy Services Clean Drive Award for the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Derby.
Following Lethbridge, the wagons rolled into High River for the North American Chuckwagon Championship. Hometown hero Jason Glass was tops on day 1 19 one-hundreds of a second over Lethbridge champion Luke Tournier.
Day 2 saw Neal Walgenbach take first place by just 3 one-hundredths of a second over Grant Profit, with Jason Glass still leading the aggregate standings after 2 days.
Day 3 saw Troy Dorchester cash a first place cheque, 23 one-hundredths of a second over Buddy Bensmiller who placed 2nd for the night, but it was still Jason Glass on top of the aggregate after 3 days.
Jason Glass capped off a brilliant performance at the north American Championship by taking posting the top run on day 4 by 30 one-hundreds of a second over Tyler Helmig.
It was a wire to wire victory for Jason Glass - driving the Shaw GMC Pontiac Buick Hummer Outfit - along with outriders Chad Cosgrave and Chanse Vigen who claimed the 2007 North American Chuckwagon Championship with a total time of 5:10.79.
Troy Dorchester finished 2nd nearly 2 full seconds behind Glass at 5:12.72. Tyler Helmig, Rick Fraser and Kelly Sutherland rounded out the top 5 overall. Mike Vigen received the DC Energy Services Clean Drive Award for the North American Chuckwagon Championship.
Then it was off to Ponoka and the Ponoka Stampede Championship. The weather was perfect as it had been all year long, and the fans were treated to some of the most exciting racing all year long.
Kelly Sutherland, Jerry Bremner, Mark Sutherland, Reg Johnstone and Hugh Sinclair posted the top time of the day on each of the first 5 nights.
After five night of running, the $50,000.00 Tommy Dorchester Sudden Death Championship final heat was set with Jerry Bremner – who was the top aggregate wagon, Luke Tournier, Jason Glass and Kelly Sutherland.
Leo Tournier finished just outside the final 4. Jerry Bremner drew barrel position number 4, Luke Tournier drew position number 3, Jason Glass drew position 1, leaving Kelly Sutherland with the number 2 barrel position.
In what was a penalty filled heat, Jerry Bremner - driving the Highpine Oil & Gas Outfit – with outriders Dave Bensmiller, Chad Cosgrave, Dale Gray and Brian Mayan, crossed the finish line first, posted the fastest time of the week at 1:14.50, and walked away with the 2007 Ponoka Stampede Championship.
It was the 2nd Ponoka Stampede Championship for Jerry Bremner who won his first back in 1996. Darcy Flad received the DC Energy Services Clean Drive Award for the Ponoka Stampede Championship. Chuckwagon Legend Bill Greenwood was inducted into the Ponoka Stampede Hall of Fame. Greenwood was a 5time Ponoka Stampede Champion between 1952 and 1967.
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened by the sudden passing of Hally Walgenbach on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at the age of 79 years. In his time, Hally Walgenbach was one of the greatest champions the sport has ever seen. He was a 4-time World and 4-time Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Champion driver.
Hally was honored with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s Special Tribute Award in 1988 and the Calgary Stampede’s Pioneers of Rodeo Award in 2007. Hally will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Walgenbach Family.
The WPCA Dodge Pro Tour now takes a break for the Calgary Stampede July 6-15, 2007, and will return at Edmonton’s Chuckwagon Derby July 20-24. Check www.wpca.com for all the details.
