NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Medicine Hat's Blake Robinson tears through the pit at the 11th annual Medicine Hat Boggers Mud Bog at the local drag strip on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
A packed grandstand was treated to a muddy afternoon of high-octane action on Saturday at the drag strip.
Nealy 60 drivers got behind their respective wheels to tackle the 200-foot stretch of slop at the 11th annual Medicine Hat Boggers mud bog.
“It’s quite the exhilarating feeling,” said Brooks’ Coltan Bosman. “You’re staging and your right leg starts quivering – it’s still quivering. From there you almost go into tunnel vision and just look at the end.”
Bosman added he’s only been bogging for two years after being introduced to the sport by his father in law, Gerald Huber.
“It was like I was doing it for 10 years already. I walked in fresh and they welcomed me with open arms. It’s a great community,” said Bosman, adding his significant other, Jessica Huber, lives in Medicine Hat, making the local mud bog a must. “I like the crowd here … and it’s always great to see your old friends from all over.”
Millicent’s Jerri Fletcher has been bogging for a few years, but this weekend marked her first chance to try out the pit in Medicine Hat.
“It’s a good pit,” said Fletcher, adding the excitement of bogging is second to none. “It’s just the adrenaline rush, I guess – the speed.”
Fletcher finished fourth in the super stock class, while Taber’s Ed Hofsink took top spot, Stephen Cline of Taber took second and Hatter Rob Yanke finished third.
Medicine Hat’s Lauren Robinson clinched first in the stock class ahead of Redcliff’s Amber Gallup and Hatter Dylan Yanke.
Taber’s Colton Gouw won the pro stock class, while Taber’s Shawn Hofsink took second and Travis Rafa, of Seven Parsons, finished third.
Millicent’s Gary Fletcher won the modified class, followed by Greg Chartier, of Beaver Mines, and Medicine Hat’s Shane Tessman.
Taber’s Victor Bael took top spot in the super modified class, while Gary Fletcher took second and Paul Rafa finished third.
Rounding out the event, Taber’s Eric Stolk won the open class, followed by Skiff’s Shawn Gouw and Chartier.
