Calgary Stampede hits tarp auction as Chris Molle pulls in top dollar

Content of the article

“Good my dear, Chris Molle!”

Following Thursday night's canvass auction at the Calgary Stampede, a phrase that created new consternation in the world of chuckwagon racing…

Content of the article

Graf Mechanical Ltd. to promote Molle clothing for the 2024 Cowboys Rangeland Derby in July. paid like an incredible $210,000.

“Honestly, I don't know what to say,” said Molle, who had Stampede track announcer Les McIntyre say the words, “Good golly, Chris Molle” during their annual adventure at GMC Stadium. “I did not expect this. I was speechless.

Content of the article

“I can't believe I got as high as I did.”

It was a record night for average purchases per carload of canvas for a Stampede event.

Companies opened their wallets to spend a total of $3.115 million to sponsor the 27 drivers and their apparel.

That was the highest average at $115,370.

The previous high was over $111,000 in 2012.

“It's amazing – it's hard to put into words,” said Will Osler, president and chairman of the Stampede board. “But it's great to see the sponsors show support for the Chuckwagon Race and the Rangeland Derby.

“The sponsor gets a lot out of their sponsorship, but in this case it's more than just seeing their logo racing on the track. It shows their dedication to the sport, their dedication to their drivers, their families…”

Saskatchewan-based heavy mechanical firm Graf Mechanical is certainly loyal to Molle.

In fact, they surpassed the bid that won Molle's sponsorship last summer.

While that wasn't the record $300,000 paid by Tervita Corporation for Stampede King Kelly Sutherland in 2012, it was tied for the event's second-highest winning bid.

Content of the article

Content of the article

“We're from the same town,” said Colton Graf, who owns Graf Mechanical Ltd. in Watson with his father, Mike. company owner, Sask. “He and my dad would go a long way … Chris and my dad would ride horses and do things like that together, and Chris would sell him a few horses while my dad was at work.

“So it's a close family connection. Here we are after all these years.”

At last year's auction, Graf paid $170,000.

“I appreciate the support they've given me,” said Molle, now a resident of Chauvin, Alta. “They are great family friends.

“Money makes the world go round. It makes it easier to keep up with horses and stuff.”

Dewberry's Kurt Bensmiller also sold for $170,000 at the 2023 event as the average purchase was $101,852 for $2.75 million.

While the Bensmiller went for $175,000 this year — purchased by Gray Eagle Resort and Casino for $5,000 more — the bidding war has driven up Molle's price.

“We're not going to stop it — it's great,” Osler said, praising the crowd and sponsors behind many of the bidding wars throughout the night for hailing the swift action.

Content of the article

Among other highlights of the auction, Canada Ltd. of De Havilland Aircraft spent more than $330 grand on three tarps – Evan Salmond, Wade Salmond and Preston Faithful – and $180,000 for MobSquad drivers Darcy Flood and Ross Knight.

Last year's King of the Rangeland went to Shady Creek Ranch for $140,000.

“We have 85 days until the Stampede starts. And for me, this canvas auction is one of the beginnings of Stampada's countdown. When you're there and you see what the sponsors are doing and they want to win, they want to have fun and they want to succeed, it's a great way to start the countdown.”

Indeed, the 2024 Cowboys Rangeland Derby, July 5-14 at GMC Stadium, is long overdue.

And Molle expects the big gala to be hot, but Thursday's massive support behind him will fuel the heat.

“Absolutely, there's more pressure,” said Molle, the 2022 Calgary Stampede chuckwagon champion, before last year's layoff. “When you have that kind of money, you want to do well. But it's a good feeling.

“It definitely gives the guy confidence. You don't want to let your sponsors down – you want to do really well for them and make them proud.”

Content of the article

All money from the sponsorship will go towards making his horses and facilities “bigger, better, faster,” Molle added.

“At the end of the day, you all want to be champions.”

[email protected]

http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM

2024 TARPAULIN AUCTION

• Chris Molle — $210,000, Graf Mechanical Ltd.
• Kurt Bensmiller — $175,000, Gray Eagle Resort and Casino
• Chanse Vigen — $160,000, KMA Construction Inc.
• Dayton Sutherland — $160,000, Truman Homes
• Jason Glass — $150,000, Friends of Jason Glass
• Cody Ridsdale — $145,000, O'Chiese Center for Business and Investment
• Lane McGillivray — $140,000, Shady Creek Ranch
• Todd Baptiste — $125,000, SORE Oilfield Services
• Evan Salmond — $120,000, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.
• Wade Salmond — $110,000, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.
• Dallas Dyke — $110,000, NL Red Nation Oil & Gas
• Danny Ringet — $105,000, The Brakemen Foundation
• Chance Thomson — $105,000, Lethbridge Housing Association
• Aubrey Motowilo — $100,000, Shel-Bar Electronic Industries Ltd.
• Chance Bensmiller — $100,000, EllisDon Construction
• Preston Faithful — $100,000, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.
• Mitch Sutherland — $100,000, Steelhaus Technologies Inc.
• Jordy Feek — $100,000, Underground Construction Corporation
• Jamie Laboucan — $95,000, Vodka with a Buckle.
• Chance Flat — $95,000, The CanWagon
• Darcy Flood — $90,000, The MobSquad
• Ross Knight — $90,000, The MobSquad
• Ray Croteau Jr. — $90,000, Cinch Oilfield Hauling and Crane
• Kirk Sutherland — $90,000, Pedal Pub
• Troy Dorchester — $85,000, Cowboys Nightclub
• Chad Fike — $85,000, Shaw GMC
• Doug Irwin — $80,000, Super Slings

Content of the article