WANNABE A WAGON DRIVER
Do you have the Need for Speed? How about the drive to hold on to 4 high strung thoroughbreds while guiding them around the figure 8 pattern and on to the race track as 3 other drivers do the same, just as fast if not faster with one goal in mind - Steal the Rail and Out Run You to the finish line. Do you have the 365 day commitment it takes to care for these equine athletes and the strength to withstand 5 months of straight training and racing?
If you said no to any one of these questions then the best seat at the track is the last place you want to be.
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The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association continues to provide a foundation for rookie drivers to hone their skills and develop into to one of the best drivers in the sport. Over the years the CPCA has produced a number of reinsmen that have gone on to race at the Calgary Stampede or become competitive on the CPCA Pro Tour.
Regardless of where a rookie drivers career path leads new drivers are a key to the growth of the sport and are welcomed by all involved.
Drivers come from all walks of life. Some have been born into wagon racing and grow up around it with relatives racing. Others have started off as barn hands or assistants then with the burning desire to take the reins of their own outfit pursued their dream. A number of Outriders have moved up to the wagon box while some drivers start off driving Pony Chuckwagons before moving up to the thoroughbreds and others - They just get the dream of the adrenaline and pursue it.
Before a Rookie Driver/New Driver enters his/her first meet a driving test must be taken. The test must be done in front of a committee of not less than 2 CPCA directors. The committee will be known as the “Driving/Outriding Test Committee”. The rookie/new driver must contact the CPCA office to arrange for the directors to meet him at a racetrack to do the driving test. Any driver in good standing with any other thoroughbred chuckwagon racing club that joins the CPCA may be exempt from taking a driver test at the discretion of the CPCA directors.
Driving Test Procedure – “During a driving test the driver will be required to pull into the barrels, come to a complete stop with an outrider holding the lead team, the driver must show that he is in control of the horses, a helper can be in the wagon for the driving test but not sitting on the seat with the driver, the horn will blow, the driver must do the figure 8 pattern correctly, race around the track, pull up the horses and get them under control, turn around at the 1st corner and come back in front of the grandstand area all the while having control of the horses. The outrider holding the lead team does not have to, but may at his choice, do the figure 8 pattern and race around the track with the outfit. An outrider throwing stove is not required for the driving test but he may be present if the driver taking the test request he be there.
If you would like more information on becoming a driver with the Canadian Profesional Chuckwagon Association or have any question on how to get started we invite you to contact the CPCA race office at cpca@cpcaracing.com
