March 19, 2015 – Calgary, Alta. – In a year of economic uncertainty, the 2015 Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Canvas Auction still brought in its 7th highest total in the 37-year history of the event.
$2,782,000 was bid on the 36 participating wagons. It was the 5th consecutive year the Calgary Auction crossed over the $2.75-million mark. $2,099,500 of the total was bid on the 26 drivers from the 2015 WPCA Pro Tour; $682,500 was bid on the 10 drivers scheduled from the CPCA Circuit.
WPCA drivers made up 8 of the top 10 bids. Defending GMC Rangeland Derby Champion Kurt Bensmiller was the high bid at $170,000.00 from Tsuu T’ina First Nation which equalled Jason Glass’ high bid from 2014. The median bid on all 36 wagons was $75,000, down $25,000 from the median bid of $100,000 in 2014; the low bid was $45,000 which equalled the low bid of 2014 as well. — Billy Melville
List of bids:
Kurt Bensmiller, Tsuu T’ina First Nation, $170,000
Vern Nolin, Denton’s, $120,000
Kirk Sutherland, Ghostpine Environmental Services Ltd., $110,000
Layne MacGillivray, ATB Financial, $105,000
Jerry Bremner, Friends of Jerry Bremner, $100,000
Obrey Motowylo, H & E Oilfield Services Ltd., $100,000
Dave Galloway, RDL Transportation Inc., $100,000
Kelly Sutherland, Friends of The King, $95,000
Jason Glass, The Cowboy’s Posse, $90,000
Doug Irvine, B & R Eckel’s Transport Ltd., $90,000
Troy Dorchester, CARSTAR Collision & Glass Service, $85,000
Rick Fraser, Northwell Oilfield Hauling (2009) Inc., $80,000
Layne Bremner, SNC Lavalin, $80,000
Rae Croteau Jr., TOMCO Group/Glover International Trucks, $75,000
Luke Tournier, National Motor Coach, $75,000
Roger Moore, The Legends, $75,000
Chad Harden, Kubota, $75,000
Colt Cosgrave, High River Autoplex & RV, $75,000
John Walters, The Brakeman Foundation, $75,000
Mark Sutherland, R1 Airlines Ltd., $73,000
Jamie Laboucane, The Mavericks Chuckwagon Team, $72,500
Gary Gorst, BD&P Put the Boots to Hunger, $70,000
Jordie Fike, Shaw GMC Chevrolet Buick, $70,000
Chanse Vigen, Lake Louise Ski Area, $70,000
Logan Gorst, PCL Construction Management Inc., $65,000
Mitch Sutherland, Dahler Pressure Services, $65,000
Wayne Knight, Express Employment Professionals, $60,000
Chad Fike, Jimbob Rentals 2000 Ltd., $59,000
Evan Salmond, Horsepower Inc., $57,500
Shane Nolin, Friends of the Mavericks, $55,000
Dallas Dyck, Thermal Systems, $52,500
Mike Vigen, Ray & Company, $50,000
Kris Molle, visitlethbridge.com, $50,000
BJ Carey, Professional Excavators, $47,500
Codey McCurrach, Osteria de Medici, $45,000
Ray Mitsuing, West Oilfield Holdings, $45,000
Total Amount Bid: $2,782,000
Average Bid: $77,277.78
Median Bid: $75,000
High Bid: $170,000
Low Bid: $45,000
2014 Total: $3,542,500
Difference Over 2014: -$760,500