Chuck Wagon Talk with Arnie Jackson
BADLANDS DINOSAUR DERBY POSTPONED
By Arnie Jackson
Jul 28, 2008, 08:02

          In chuckwagon racing, safety is job one!

          After a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon, July 27^th, 2008, the track officials and WPCA Directors decided against going ahead with Day Three of the Badlands Dinosaur Derby Races.
          The arena groundskeepers will work on the ½ mile oval on Monday, July 28^th, 2008 with the hopes of conditioning the course to a level that would be considered safe for the horses, outriders, wagons and drivers. If it is deemed unsuitable, there is an outside chance that they could try again on Tuesday, July 29^th, 2008.

          That would be the latest possible alternative race date, since the World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s Tour Finals get underway on Thursday, July 31^st, 2008 in Strathmore, Alberta. The 36 outfits participating in the championship weekend, need at least one dat to pack up and travel over to Strathmore.

          After two days of actual racing, Luke Tournier from Duck Lake, Saskatchewan is the aggregate leader with a total time of 2:14:03. As a result of the great run Saturday, July 26^th, 2008, by Jason Glass of High River, Alberta the 2000 World Champion has moved into top spot in the seasons points race with a total of 823. Glass leads second place Jerry Bremner of Westerose, Alberta by a mere 14 points. Bremner has 809 points while Buddy Bensmiller of Dewberry, Alberta is clinging to third spot with a total of 784 points on the year.

          If the Drumheller, Alberta competition has to be closed off with only two days of racing, the balance of the top eight drivers going into the championship weekend will be Kelly Sutherland of Grande Prairie, Alberta in 4^th place, Rae Croteau Jr from Bonnyville, Alberta 5^th at 744 points, Calgary Stampede Champion Hugh Sinclair of Grande Prairie, Alberta in 6th place with 742.5 points, Luke Tournier, the 2007 Calgary Stampede Champion is 7^th overall at 734.5 points and Mark Sutherland from Okotoks, Alberta is currently holding down 8^th spot with 702.5 points.

          The crying hole belongs to Chad Harden of Mulhurst Bay, Alberta as he hangs on to the number 9 position with 683.5 points garnered for his racing success’s this year.

          A decision on completing the final day of racing at the Badlands Dinosaur meet in Drumheller, Alberta will be made after the track is closely examined by officials, late Monday afternoon, July 28^th, 2008.