Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

MUDDY, BOGGY, STICKY – Chad Roberts grinds his way through the mud bog Saturday as hundreds of people watch from the sidelines off of Robert Service Way. Roberts eventually took the title for tire class 38 and up.

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Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

HELPING HANDS AT THE READY – Alex Hornby attaches a strap to the back of his truck after getting stuck in the muck.

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Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

MAKING A SPLASH – Ian Nichols barrels into the mud pit Saturday.

Trucks battle muck at annual mud bog races

Engines roared and mud flew through the air at the annual Whitehorse Mud Bog Races Saturday.

By Marcel Vander Wier on June 30, 2015

Engines roared and mud flew through the air at the annual Whitehorse Mud Bog Races Saturday.

Hundreds of fans gathered on the sidelines of the pits, located off Robert Service Way, to take in the action.

And they were not disappointed as 17 trucks – including a white Hummer – competed in the muddy, boggy, sticky event.

The event sees two trucks drive side by side through parallel mud pits. At its deepest points, the mud was measured at approximately one metre.

Points are handed out to drivers by tallying how many stakes they have passed in the pit before getting stuck.

Drivers who pass through the entire pit are awarded 10 points plus a bonus point.

Eventual victors were Terry Horsman (tire class 33 and under), Robert Tyerman (class 34 to 37) and Chad Roberts (class 38 and up).

Winners took home donated prizes and cash.

“The racers just like playing in the mud and having fun with their trucks,” said event organizer Tamara Fischer.

“A lot of them come out just to have fun. It’s not about winning, or who’s got the best rig. They definitely all razz each other, but that’s just part of it.”

The amount of trucks participating was more than the past few years, Fischer said.

“They’re there to put a show on, have fun and play in the mud.”

The event started with a show and shine at 10 a.m., giving race fans a chance to marvel at the vehicles involved.

“It was a nice turnout,” Fischer said of the fans who came out in droves.

“We had beautiful weather. It was sunny, but windy.”

An excavator prepped the mud in the pits during the show and shine.

“We put new dirt in this year,” Fischer explained. “Some of our volunteers came down and dug out the old stuff for us.”

Klondike Motors and Driving Force were the events major sponsors.

Fischer thanked all sponsors, volunteers and race fans for their continued support.

“It takes the community to run it,” Fischer said.

Dawson City will host the territory’s second mud bog of the summer during the Discovery Day long weekend in August.

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