Newcomers dominated the World Professional Chuckwagon Association run-off last weekend, meaning a veteran driver is on the outside looking in.
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) held its annual qualification runs in Strathmore last weekend where 10 wagons were vying for five spots on tour next season.
It was a disappointing finish for High River’s Brian Mayan who placed sixth, missing a spot on the WPCA circuit. As a result, Mayan will be the first alternate should another driver pull out prior to the start of the 2012 season next spring.
Just two years removed from his first appearance in the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby, Mayan struggled in 2011 finishing in 35th place in the WPCA standings out of 36 wagons.
The top three drivers from the WPCA run-off last weekend were veterans of the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) including Gary Gorst, the 2010 CPCA champion and the CPCA’s High Point driver three of the past four years including 2011.
The Gorst clan will continue the tradition of chuckwagon racing being a family affair as he will be joined by his son Logan Gorst, a two-time winner on the 2011 CPCA circuit and runner-up to the 2011 CPCA championship, in the WPCA in 2012. Logan placed second at the WPCA run-off in Strathmore followed by Roger Moore, also a two-time winner on the 2011 CPCA circuit.
Dave Galloway, a rookie on the 2011 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour, regained his spot for 2012 by finishing tied for third place with Moore in the run-off point standings, and Jason Johnstone, the 2005 WPCA Most Improved Driver, took the top time on the final night of the run-off to steal the last exempt spot on the 2012 Dodge Pro Tour.
Johnstone’s win on Sunday proved costly for Mayan, the 2008 Edmonton Chuckwagon Derby’s $50,000 winner, as he placed sixth - just two points from the coveted top five.
Ross Knight, a three time winner on the CPCA circuit, was seventh, followed by Chad Fike, Chance Bensmiller and Elton Magee. Should any of the 36 drivers now scheduled to race on the 2012 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour not be able to compete, then the drivers from the reserve list in their order of finish will be given the opportunity to take the spots that had been vacated.
The 2011 WPCA Awards Banquet will be held on Oct. 22 at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary. Contact the WPCA office at 403-236-2466 for more information.
