World Professional Chuckwagon Association
Encyclopedia
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) is an association made up of professional cowboys and successful business people with an interest in preserving western heritage and providing exciting family entertainment. The WPCA promotes and presents chuckwagon racing
as a professional sport throughout North America and the world. The WPCA is a close knit community that mentor's its new drivers in safety and professionalism to preserve the integrity of the WPCA and chuckwagon racing in general.
Based in Calgary
, Alberta
, each summer the WPCA organizes its race season which is known as the WPCA Dodge
Pro Tour. It is the most senior and highest level of professional chuckwagon racing in the world, offering the richest purses and highest tarp prices on any other recognized chuckwagon association. Also, outside of the WPCA Dodge
Pro Tour, WPCA chuckwagon drivers race for ten days at the Calgary Stampede
Rangeland Derby in Calgary, Alberta and three days at the Colonial Days Fair in Lloydminster
, Saskatchewan - both of which feature not only drivers that compete on the WPCA Dodge
Pro Tour, but some drivers from another chuckwagon racing circuit - the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA).
The WPCA board of directors is made up of elected officers and driver directors with a long term goal of providing full time employment for the chuckwagon drivers. The officers of the WPCA are a volunteer advisory group handling the day to day business of the association.
Pro Tour is composed of 44 race days over 10 cities and towns at the following locations: Grande Prairie
, Medicine Hat, Drumheller
, High River
, Ponoka
, Edmonton
, Strathmore
, Bonnyville
, Dawson Creek
and Rocky Mountain House
. In addition, there are 16 additional race days including an optional race meet in Dewberry
, The Calgary Stampede
, for the top wagons in the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association, and the Lloydminster
Colonial Days Fair, an optional meet between both associations for drivers who did not qualify for the Calgary Stampede
, "Chuckwagon racing is the 3rd biggest spectators sport in Alberta behind hockey and pro football." Live attendance is nearly three-quarters of a million people annually, and live radio coverage of the entire WPCA Dodge
Pro Tour as well as the Calgary Stampede
Rangeland Derby is broadcast to an estimated audience of 100,000 per night in the local listening area which covers parts of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, with several thousands more outside the listening area tuning in over the internet via the official WPCA website at halfmileofhell.comhttp://www.halfmileofhell.com or wpca.comhttp://www.wpca.com. The popularity of WPCA chuckwagon racing inspired a web-based video reality series on chuckwagon
racing called "Half Mile of Hell". Prior to being a web-video series, "Half Mile of Hell" was a reality based television program on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).
, Buddy Bensmiller and Chad Harden.
While the origin of chuckwagon racing is debated, the idea of staging a chuckwagon race as an actual “event” was dreamed up by Calgary Stampede founder Guy Weadick
. There are many thoughts on what inspired Guy Weadick's dream.
It has been suggested that Guy Weadick
saw match races at the 1922 Gleichen (Alberta) Stampede between farm wagons pulled by 4 horses. Or, growing up on cattle ranches, Weadick witnessed many impromptu races between ranch outfits at the end of a round-up where the wagons would race to the nearest town saloon and the last ones
there had to buy the first round of drinks.
Former Calgary Stampede arena director Jack Dillon recalled a customary gathering of pioneers and cattlemen in Miles City, Montana
where ranch outfits would meet 4 miles from town, the mayor would ride out and start the race to the centre of town where the first outfit there got the best camping spot the town could offer. There were also the stories from the great land rushes in South Dakota
and Oklahoma
.
The most popular thought is that at the 1919 Victory Stampede in Calgary
, cooks from 2 chuckwagons - who upon completion of serving a barbecue in front of the grandstand - loaded up their chuckwagons and raced down the track to see who could get to the exit gates first much to the pleasure of the grandstand crowd. Others claim that “Sundown” or “Wildhorse” Jack Morton, an original participant in the first official races, was the one
who suggested the idea to Guy Weadick
.
Whether it one single event of a combination of events that inspired the dream, what matters most is that the dream was realized by Guy Weadick
, and the first “official” races took place in 1923 at the Calgary Stampede
with just 6 outfits participating. Race rules, for all intents and purposes, were originally non-existent and were added every night of that first competition.
Over the years, rules and equipment have been altered but the one thing that has remained consistent is that the chuckwagon races are one of the most exciting forms of entertainment available to the public at large.
The success of the first races of 1923 saw many other communities throughout Alberta and abroad adding chuckwagon races to their local rodeos and fairs in the years to follow. This became the basis of the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour as we know it today.
Chuckwagon racing
Chuckwagon racing is an equestrian rodeo sport in which drivers in a chuckwagon led by a team of Thoroughbred horses race around a track. The sport is most popular in the Prairie Provinces of Canada, where the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon...
as a professional sport throughout North America and the world. The WPCA is a close knit community that mentor's its new drivers in safety and professionalism to preserve the integrity of the WPCA and chuckwagon racing in general.
Based in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, each summer the WPCA organizes its race season which is known as the WPCA Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
Pro Tour. It is the most senior and highest level of professional chuckwagon racing in the world, offering the richest purses and highest tarp prices on any other recognized chuckwagon association. Also, outside of the WPCA Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
Pro Tour, WPCA chuckwagon drivers race for ten days at the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
Rangeland Derby in Calgary, Alberta and three days at the Colonial Days Fair in Lloydminster
Lloydminster
Lloydminster is a Canadian city which has the unusual geographic distinction of straddling the provincial border between Alberta and Saskatchewan...
, Saskatchewan - both of which feature not only drivers that compete on the WPCA Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
Pro Tour, but some drivers from another chuckwagon racing circuit - the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA).
The WPCA board of directors is made up of elected officers and driver directors with a long term goal of providing full time employment for the chuckwagon drivers. The officers of the WPCA are a volunteer advisory group handling the day to day business of the association.
The WPCA Dodge Pro Tour
The 2011 WPCA DodgeDodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
Pro Tour is composed of 44 race days over 10 cities and towns at the following locations: Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Grande Prairie is a city in the northwestern part of the province of Alberta in Western Canada. It is located on the southern edge of the Peace River Country . The city is surrounded by the County of Grande Prairie No...
, Medicine Hat, Drumheller
Drumheller, Alberta
Drumheller is a town within the Red Deer River valley in the badlands of east-central Alberta, Canada. It is located northeast of Calgary...
, High River
High River, Alberta
High River is a town in southwestern Alberta, Canada with a population of 10,716. It is south of the city of Calgary, at the junction of Alberta Highways 2 and 23...
, Ponoka
Ponoka, Alberta
Ponoka is a town in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the south/central parkland region of rolling hills. Industries are agriculture , and oil and gas production...
, Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Strathmore
Strathmore, Alberta
Strathmore is a town located along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta, Canada, east of the city of Calgary, within the boundaries of Wheatland County.- History :...
, Bonnyville
Bonnyville, Alberta
Bonnyville, Alberta is a town situated in east-central Alberta between the City of Cold Lake and the Town of St. Paul. It is the seat of the Municipal District of Bonnyville No...
, Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek, British Columbia
Dawson Creek is a small city in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. The municipality of had a population of 11,529 in 2009. Dawson Creek derives its name from the creek of the same name that runs through the community. The creek was named after George Mercer Dawson by a member of his land...
and Rocky Mountain House
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Rocky Mountain House is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada, approximately west of the City of Red Deer. It is located at the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 and Highway 11 .- History :The town has a long history dating to the...
. In addition, there are 16 additional race days including an optional race meet in Dewberry
Dewberry, Alberta
- Demographics :The population of the Village of Dewberry according to its 2010 municipal census is 219, a 5.2% decrease from its 2008 municipal census population of 231....
, The Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
, for the top wagons in the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association, and the Lloydminster
Lloydminster
Lloydminster is a Canadian city which has the unusual geographic distinction of straddling the provincial border between Alberta and Saskatchewan...
Colonial Days Fair, an optional meet between both associations for drivers who did not qualify for the Calgary Stampede
Popularity of WPCA Chuckwagon Racing
According to John Down, Alberta Sports Hall of Fame sportswriter for the Calgary HeraldCalgary Herald
The Calgary Herald is a daily newspaper published in the Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta.- History :The paper was first published on August 31, 1883 by Andrew Armour and Thomas Braden as The Calgary Herald, Mining and Ranche Advocate and General Advertiser. It started as a weekly paper with only...
, "Chuckwagon racing is the 3rd biggest spectators sport in Alberta behind hockey and pro football." Live attendance is nearly three-quarters of a million people annually, and live radio coverage of the entire WPCA Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
Pro Tour as well as the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
Rangeland Derby is broadcast to an estimated audience of 100,000 per night in the local listening area which covers parts of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, with several thousands more outside the listening area tuning in over the internet via the official WPCA website at halfmileofhell.comhttp://www.halfmileofhell.com or wpca.comhttp://www.wpca.com. The popularity of WPCA chuckwagon racing inspired a web-based video reality series on chuckwagon
Chuckwagon
A chuckwagon or chuck wagon is a type of wagon historically used to carry food and cooking equipment on the prairies of the United States and Canada. Such wagons would form part of a wagon train of settlers or feed traveling workers such as cowboys or loggers.In modern times, chuckwagons feature...
racing called "Half Mile of Hell". Prior to being a web-video series, "Half Mile of Hell" was a reality based television program on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).
Notable Drivers
The biggest names in the sport's history have all raced with the WPCA or its predecessors (Cowboys Protective Association (CPA), Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association (CRCA), Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA)). Some of the notable active drivers that have each won a World Championship and/or Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Championship are Kelly Sutherland, Jason Glass, Hugh Sinclair, Reg Johnstone, Luke Tournier, Jerry Bremner, Rick FraserRick Fraser
Rick Fraser is a Canadian professional chuckwagon racer. In 1982 he was named the WPCA's Top Rookie Driver, and in 2004 he was the World Champion....
, Buddy Bensmiller and Chad Harden.
History of Chuckwagon Racing
Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick was an American performer and promoter. Today, he is best known as the founder of the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada.- Early years :Weadick was born in 1885, in Rochester, New York....
. There are many thoughts on what inspired Guy Weadick's dream.
It has been suggested that Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick was an American performer and promoter. Today, he is best known as the founder of the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada.- Early years :Weadick was born in 1885, in Rochester, New York....
saw match races at the 1922 Gleichen (Alberta) Stampede between farm wagons pulled by 4 horses. Or, growing up on cattle ranches, Weadick witnessed many impromptu races between ranch outfits at the end of a round-up where the wagons would race to the nearest town saloon and the last ones
there had to buy the first round of drinks.
Former Calgary Stampede arena director Jack Dillon recalled a customary gathering of pioneers and cattlemen in Miles City, Montana
Miles City, Montana
Miles City is a city in and the county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.- History :...
where ranch outfits would meet 4 miles from town, the mayor would ride out and start the race to the centre of town where the first outfit there got the best camping spot the town could offer. There were also the stories from the great land rushes in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
The most popular thought is that at the 1919 Victory Stampede in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, cooks from 2 chuckwagons - who upon completion of serving a barbecue in front of the grandstand - loaded up their chuckwagons and raced down the track to see who could get to the exit gates first much to the pleasure of the grandstand crowd. Others claim that “Sundown” or “Wildhorse” Jack Morton, an original participant in the first official races, was the one
who suggested the idea to Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick was an American performer and promoter. Today, he is best known as the founder of the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada.- Early years :Weadick was born in 1885, in Rochester, New York....
.
Whether it one single event of a combination of events that inspired the dream, what matters most is that the dream was realized by Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick
Guy Weadick was an American performer and promoter. Today, he is best known as the founder of the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada.- Early years :Weadick was born in 1885, in Rochester, New York....
, and the first “official” races took place in 1923 at the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
with just 6 outfits participating. Race rules, for all intents and purposes, were originally non-existent and were added every night of that first competition.
Over the years, rules and equipment have been altered but the one thing that has remained consistent is that the chuckwagon races are one of the most exciting forms of entertainment available to the public at large.
The success of the first races of 1923 saw many other communities throughout Alberta and abroad adding chuckwagon races to their local rodeos and fairs in the years to follow. This became the basis of the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour as we know it today.