First WPCA title worth the wait for Gorst

Laurence Heinen
Times Contributor

 

Gary Gorst didn’t mind having to wait one extra day to wrap up his first-ever World Professional Chuckwagon Association show title at the Strathmore Stampede.
The four-day event was scheduled to conclude on Monday afternoon, but the show had to be extended until Tuesday night after Saturday’s performance was cancelled due to heavy rains and muddy track conditions.
“I’ll take it any time,” said Gorst, who finished second last year in Strathmore behind Jason Glass. “I was the bridesmaid last year. I’ve been knocking on the door, so it’s a nice win.
It’s actually my first win on the WPCA circuit in my fifth season. I’ve been runner up two or three shows. This is a good feeling.”
Driving his TCB Trailer Services outfit, Gorst won Heat 7 on Tuesday night in a time of 1:16.06. His four-day aggregate total of 5:06.61 put him in first place overall ahead of John Walters (Rob Knight Trucklines) and Codey McCurrach (Strathmore Ford), who were also both competing in the seventh heat.
“I knew I had to beat them and I had the No. 1 barrel, so it was in my hands,” said Gorst, who commended Casey Knight and Kale Lajeunesse for doing a great job as his outriders. “We’ve been fighting the No. 1 barrel a little bit, so this is a good feeling.”
Gorst finished eighth in the aggregate standings at the Calgary Stampede to earn a spot in the GMC Rangeland Derby semifinals, but he failed to qualify for the championship dash for cash. He then finished in a disappointing 25th spot at the Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship before bouncing back to win his first WPCA show title in Strathmore.
“The horses were running good after Calgary, so I was very happy,” said Gorst, who currently sits second in the WPCA world standings behind Luke Tournier with just two shows remaining in Dawson Creek, B.C., from Aug. 10-14 before the season wraps up with the Battle of the Rockies in Rocky Mountain House, Alta., from Aug. 18-21.
From barrel No. 2 in the fourth heat, Mitch Sutherland drove his Strathmore Motor Products outfit to Tuesday night’s fastest time of 1:15.62, which was just 54/100ths of a second better than Gorst. Despite his quick time on Tuesday, Sutherland finished well back in the aggregate standings in 20th position.
Although fans showed up in droves for the weekend performances, Tuesday’s final races drew a small, but appreciative crowd.
“They’ve been very supportive here,” said Gorst, while noting that he and his fellow drivers understand that it’s tough for people to get out on a weeknight due to work and family commitments. “People here, thank you very much for coming and hope to see you all next year.”