Chuckwagon drivers have to know how to manoeuvre at the business table before they go out and try to turn barrels with a team of horses.
Foothills drivers Jason Glass and Mark Sutherland were busy talking to prospective clients in the weeks before the World Professional Chukwagon Association tarp auction on April 5 in Calgary.
It paid off.
High River’s Glass collected $76,500 for the eight shows on the auction block, including the highest bid for the North American Chuckwagon Championships when Hi-Way Service in High River bought his tarp for $12,000.
“It seems like I am working harder every year to get sponsorship,” Glass said. “I am trying to do it differently now. I am trying to get sponsors who will stick around a little longer. I’m trying to get to know them better and help them understand what we do. Rather than just being a guy who has a tarp on his wagon for four days and then I am gone.”
He had talked with Hi-Way Service for a few months prior to the auction, about not only potential sponsorship, he is also in the market for a new tractor.
While Glass has always been in high demand in southern Alberta, he is also making a dent in the far north.
Glass’s tarp was sold for $9,000 for the Dawson Creek show.
“Birchcliff Energy stepped up and bought some more shows,” Glass said. “We have such a good relationship with them we were able to come up with a number that works well for both of us.”
One of the directors of Birchcliff is Larry Shaw, the former owner of Shaw GMC, a car dealership associated with Glass’ checkered wagon for two decades.
Glass said he has also developed a close relationship with Birchcliff president Jeff Tonken.
“I have always had trouble getting support up there,” Glass said. “This is great to get the north coverage, and I seem to get more interest each year.”
Mark Sutherland panned the most gold out of Dawson Creek, but it was a group that claimed the stake.
Friends of Sutherland’s Racing bought Sutherland’s tarp for $18,000, which was the highest bid of the evening.
“I have different companies that will take me for the nights at different shows,” Sutherland said. “For example, a company couldn’t justify taking me for all five nights at Dawson Creek.
“I either work with these sponsors or I will lose them.”
Sutherland collected approximately $62,500 and consortiums bought five of the eight shows.
Building friends takes commitment.
Sutherland worked at building the group over the years, and yes, friendships as well as business partners have developed.
Sutherland has also used his tarp for charity. He has sold his tarp for one night of racing to a business with all the proceeds going to a charity.
“If you buy yourself you are able to do those kind of things,” he said. “I like to think chuckwagon drivers do have a social conscience. I’m proud to get our sponsors involved in charities I believe in.”
Sutherland said he anticipates selling his tarp at some shows to help local food banks this year.
Brian Mayan’s tarp was sold for approximately $22,000 at the eight shows. He wasn’t on the auction block until 11 p.m. as the 31st of the 36th ranked driver.
“By that time, it’s a six-hour auction so a lot of people have gone home,” Mayan said. “I don’t know how you can make it faster with eight shows… If I want to get sold earlier (in the evening), I have to finish higher in the standings.”
He said he was disappointed his tarp did not sell for the North American Chuckwagon Championship in High River. His tarp was purchased for $2,000 by the High River Agricultural Society.
Mayan was added to the WPCA auction after being suspended last year for a dispute with another driver. He won a court case to be reinstated earlier this year.
“Absolutely without a doubt,” Mayan said when asked if the court case affected him. “It hurt from a standpoint of sponsorship and my reputation.”
