Entertaining a busy grandstand at the Plamondon Festival Centre grounds for the Saturday event opener, and with the backing of the Canadian Mud Racing Organization, the weekend event roared life into the small Alberta community.
Saturday’s opening day of the two-day racing events warmed up the early crowds — many who paid $45 for a weekend pass — with the junior dragsters. The high-octane racers tore up a stretch of sand-packed runway, sending dirt and spectators' cheers into the air.
Once the dust had settled, it was time to dig into the mud. Grouped into stock, modified stock, pro modified and super stock classes, the boggers included modified classic pickup trucks, monster trucks, and even a few crossbreeds that were post–apocalyptic in nature. The event featured races by both amateur drivers and those sanctioned by the CMRO.[RM1] [RM2]
Plowing through the side-by-side mud pits, local amateurs and veteran racers from across Western Canada competed for best times. Race fans also came from near and far. Specator seating in the grandstands was far enough away from the action to avoid most of the splatter, but close enough to have cheers heard by the racers.
After two days of racing, the number of runs and the time for each one was tallied up. In addition to prize money and medals, the top three finishers in each category walked away from the dirty weekend with bragging rights.
Winners to be announced
Once local officials and CMRO staff have updated winners’ lists, they will be updated in the digital version of this article at www.lakelandtoday.ca.
While the mud bogging was a massive draw all by itself, the weekend event also included plenty of other amusements such as a children’s festival, a demolition derby, and slo-pitch tournament. The weekend also featured an open-air dance on the Plamondon Festival Grounds.
* With Files From Rob McKinley
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