With the top chuckwagon drivers in the world chasing over $1 million in prize money, a new voice calling the races and an exciting new format, this year’s GMC Rangeland Derby will be one of the most exciting sporting spectacles on the planet.
The 2009 derby includes a new semi-final on Saturday evening with two heats of four wagons racing to earn the chance to be the top four in the Showdown Sunday final. The eight wagons competing in the semi-final will be selected based on the fastest total time from the previous eight nights.
“The new format creates more build-up towards Showdown Sunday,” says Catherine Laycraft, Calgary Stampede’s Rodeo program coordinator. “The sport of chuckwagon racing began at the Calgary Stampede in 1923 and we continue to improve the event to give fans the best experience possible.”
Veteran chuckwagon and rodeo announcer Les McIntyre takes over from the legendary announcer Joe Carbury, who retired in 2008 after 45 years.
“This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” says McIntyre. “Since I was a child, my dream has been to be involved in The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”
The 55-year-old McIntyre brings a wealth of chuckwagon and rodeo experience to his new position, high in the Eye in the Sky at Stampede Park. As a youngster, he started by sweeping stalls before becoming a trainer, a wagon driver and wagon advertiser. He eventually called his first chuckwagon race in 1985. For the past 24 years, he’s called hundreds of races yearly on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) and Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) circuits. McIntyre is also a seasoned rodeo announcer and has been the professional voice of the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton for the past six years.
