Another Sutherland brings chuckwagon items to the Stampede Canvas Auction

Content of the article

Dayton Sutherland has marked April 11 on his calendar since he got the call last fall to compete in the 2024 Cowboys-Rangeland Derby.

A future driver from the World Professional Chuckwagon Association was looking forward to the canvas auction at the 2024 Calgary Stampede at the Big Four Roadhouse on Thursday night.

Content of the article

Content of the article

“I'm looking forward to it,” said the 26-year-old third-generation driver, who is originally from Grande Prairie but now lives in De Vinton, Alta. “I'm sure there will be a lot of people there. I hear there will be a lot of bidders, a record amount.

“It always seems to be a good indicator of the economy or a relative indicator of the economy, so it will be interesting.”

Also appearing in the auction will be 2023 Cowboys Rangeland Derby Champion Lane McGillivray and 2023 WPCA World Champion Driver Chance Vigen, as well as runner-up Jamie Laboucan and other high-profile drivers.

“I'm excited to see where we end up and who we end up with,” said Sutherland, who hopes to draw interest from companies and groups competing for the unique opportunity to advertise on the chuckwagon canvas during the 2024 Stampede. “It's always exciting to develop a new partnership, especially one of this scale. That's part of the reason this guy wants to go to Calgary. This is, of course, for the sponsorship opportunities that are constantly competing throughout the year.”

Content of the article

Content of the article

Sutherland will be one of three rookie Albertans on the auction card at this year's event. The others are flight attendant Chance Flood, 32, of Arrowwood, and driver Chance Thomson, 36, of Buck Creek.

“These guys are really competitive wagons,” Sutherland said, noting that both prospects improved the horsepower in their barns in the offseason to be as competitive as possible. “I'm sure they'll be competitive, and I'm happy for those guys.

“They probably made some of the same financial decisions that I made. I'm sure they used some of the money they make during this year's Stampede to shore up their barn. When you make the Stampede, the first thing a guy has to do is make sure he stays there. They will be tough.”

Sutherland will help the new player a lot

A student of the sport of chuckwagon racing, Sutherland likes to think he got enough driving tips from his grandfather Kelly, a 12-time Rangeland Derby champion, as well as his father Mark, who retired after last year's Stampede. In addition, he studied rivals such as four-time Derby champion Kurt Bensmiller and perennial contender Jason Glass, who won Calgary in 2013, four years before Sutherland was named WPCA Rookie of the Year.

Content of the article

“I've looked up to guys like Glass and Bensmiller, my grandfather and my father, and I think I know what it takes to win,” said Sutherland, who finished 22nd in the WPCA driver standings last season. “I don't think my horse power is the same as the other guys, but if I get a few more parts I think I'll be right there. It's basically stability and allowing yourself to win and be successful on the dash. I am always too optimistic. I always think I will win. It hasn't happened yet, but hopefully this is the year it finally turns around.”

Sutherland expects her father to help out during a fight and that her grandfather is always a phone call away if she needs advice.

“I call him every now and then,” he said. “He says I don't call enough and ask enough questions. My grandfather is one of those monkey-seeing, monkey-seeing guys. I guess that's how you learn from grandpa. I spent a lot of time as a child watching him, hanging out with him and talking to him every day.”

He can also count on the support of his older brother Kirk and cousin Mitch, who still compete on the WPCA Pro Tour and will be at the Calgary Stampede.

Content of the article

“They're probably the guys I hang out with Mitch and Kirk the most on the circuit,” said Sutherland's youngest lineman. “I've worked for them and we're very close, so I'm happy to be back there. Dad is obviously gone, but Uncle and Mitch are still there. I don't know if this will be Uncle's last year or not, but while he's still there, at least it will be good to race there.”

Sutherland was 'really excited'

Thursday's canvas auction is just one step toward Sutherland's goal of competing in the Rangeland Derby. His plan is to get ready for the first Friday night of competition at the Calgary Stampede July 5-14 and 10 days of competition.

“I'm really excited about this division,” added Sutherland, who will do his best to make his sponsor proud. “I really like the tension and the nerves that it creates.

“I love the competitive side of it, I love the horses – how they react when the stakes are up. They can feel it all. They can feel the tension themselves, so I think that's a positive for us. We've been thinking mostly about these 10 days and the first night we got invited in the fall, so I couldn't be more excited.”

2024 Cowboys Rangeland Derby Drivers

Todd Baptiste

Kurt Bensmiller

Chance Bensmiller

Rae Croteau Jr

Troy Dorchester

Dallas Dyke

Preston Faithful

Chad Fike

Geordie Fick

Darcy Flood

Chance Flad

Jason Glass

Doug Irwin

Ross Knight

Jamie Laboucan

Lane McGillivray

Chris Molle

Aubrey Motowilo

Cody Ridsdale

Danny Ringet

Evan Salmond

Wade Salmond

Mitch Sutherland

Kirk Sutherland

Dayton Sutherland

Chance Thomson

Chance Vigen

101 (demonstration) driver

Ryan Baptiste

Lane Flood

Content of the article