There were about double the number of Model T speedsters racing at this year’s Bulls and Wagons.
The nine vintage rally race car drivers made their third appearance in a row on Saturday afternoon during the 14th annual bull riding, chuckwagon and chariot racing event.
Sundre’s Bruce Brander and Paddy Munro were among the racers who had previously participated.
Brander, who lives north of town in the James River Bridge area, said the Model T racers strive to expose the public to the nostalgia of the historic races that were once extremely popular during the 1940s.
“That’s the main reason, and to provide some entertainment to the local people,” said Brander, adding he enjoys every opportunity to race while he still can.
“We’re very grateful for the ability to do this through Bulls and Wagons,” he said, adding event organizer Jack Nichol has been accommodating in helping to make the speedster races possible.
The Sundre Rodeo Grounds has one of the best tracks the speedsters have had the privilege of racing on, he said, adding that weather can make or break it just like any other outdoor event.
In this case, forecasted rain held off until later in the day, offering ideal conditions for the racers.
An informal group of Model T racers enjoy participating in other events, and have raced on other tracks in places such as High River, Drumheller and Bruderheim, near Edmonton, he said.
A combination of an adrenalin surge coupled with the sheer fun of driving the speedsters as well as a love of the vehicles drives their passion, he said.
“Most of us also have regular model Ts as well that we drive out on the roads.”
Of course the models used for races are a bit more beat up, he added.
With very little suspension and absolutely no power steering, the races can be a bit of a rough ride, he said.
“It’s a workout for them and us,” he said referring to the speedsters.
Jeff Neufeld, a Calgary resident who has family ties in the area and with his wife owns a property at Riverside RV Park, is a friend of Munro’s but had never before been to Bulls and Wagons.
“I really like the Model T racing; it’s a lot of fun,” he said during an interview as the racers roared past, kicking up dirt in their wake.
“It’s not something you get to see very often, and I think we’re kind of lucky to have a chance to see something like this here.”
Given the chance, Neufeld said he would “100 per cent” be back.
Also enjoying the opportunity to take in the races for the first time was Ruan Vorster, who flew out from South Africa with his wife Centine for a couple of weeks to visit family in Olds.
“It’s our first rodeo; we didn’t know about the Model Ts, but we’re quite enjoying it,” he said after enthusiastically snapping pictures of the racers from a fence mere metres away from the action during one of several heats.
“In South Africa, we don’t really have many old cars — we’re quite a young nation. So it’s pretty interesting and nice to see the passion that the guys have for their old cars,” he said, adding the event was a fun way to get a glimpse of history.
Their trip to Canada, which included spending time hiking outdoors, was also a first, and upon hearing about the rodeo in Sundre they decided to come out.
“We thought this would be a good thing we’ve never experienced before.”
Nichol said the event’s turnout was about the same as last year, with approximately 5,000 people coming to Sundre from Friday to Sunday. Weather conditions ranged from really hot on Friday to pretty well perfect on Saturday, followed by a chilly Sunday afternoon for the final performances, he said.
"All told, it went very well — I think everybody was happy," he said.
The only damper on the weekend was a competitor who broke a foot, but otherwise everything went off without a hitch.
"The good lord was looking after us," he said.
Expressing his gratitude to local spectators and those who drove in for a few days — roughly half of those who attended were visitors from out of town — Nichol also said volunteers and sponsors made possible the event, which benefits the whole community.
Looking ahead to next year's milestone 15th annual event, Nichol is not yet certain how the format will evolve, but the organizer said the idea will be to make it a special year and that an invitation will once again be extended to the speedsters.
2018 Bulls and Wagons results
Chariots — Wacey Hogg
Wagons — John Stott
Bulls — Austin Nash
Merchant calf tying — Shaney Wilson, Shannon Cummings, Hannah Burrell
Wild cow milking — Darren Tracey, Dallas Morrison
Wild horse race — Morgan Taylor, Jason Moore, Tim Munro
