Adrianne Shepherd
Independent reporter
Local chuckwagon drivers in the World Professional Chuckwagon Association made the trek to Strathmore Heritage Days and struggled with penalties and slightly slower times.
The Bashaw Flash, Reg Johnstone, finished in 29th place, one spot behind Halkirk’s Layne MacGillivray who was in 28th and ahead of Jason Johnstone who finished in 34th place.
Reg finished Strathmore with a five-day time of 6:41.10, MacGillivray finished with an aggregate time of 6:39. 84 and Jason finished with a 6:51.45.
The slower times dropped the three in the world standings, Reg is in 15th place, MacGillivray is in 28th and Jason is in 32.
The three have three remaining stops on the circuit. The Battle of the North in Dawson Creek, BC begins tonight, followed by the Red Deer Chuckwagon Championship from Aug. 13 - 16 and the Dodge World Chuckwagon Championship in Edmonton from Sept. 1 - 5.
In order to automatically qualify to compete in the WPCA next year, the three must be one of the top 30 drivers. Jason and MacGillivray have to do the best they can over the next three stops to stay in the top 30 and avoid heading to the runoffs.
Anyone who is not in the top 30 will compete in the WPCA Runoffs in Bashaw in early fall. This also gives drivers from other associations the chance at earning a place in the WPCA.
The top six after four days of races in Bashaw will round out the 36 to compete in the WPCA for 2010.