Ray Mitsuing retired from driving chuck wagons this past weekend. The 65 year old is the most decorated driver in the CPCA after a 37 year long career. (file photo/meadowlakeNOW staff)

By Nikita Ganovicheff

Handing Down the Reigns

Ray Mitsuing hangs up the reigns after three decades of wagon racing

Aug 21, 2019 | 6:53 AM

Ray Mitsuing ended his 30-plus year chuckwagon career in Lloydminster this weekend.

The 65-year-old wrapped the 2019 Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) season with a safe driver award and aggregate champion driver award to add to his long list of accomplishments.

Mitsuing finished the season in second place overall with 982 points – just 47 short of leader Todd Baptiste.

“[I] just got nosed out,” Mitsuing said. “I didn’t really go after the aggregate championship, I was going for the big prize, which I didn’t get.”

While Mitsuing said his body isn’t ready to retire there is an age limit for CPCA participants.

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“I’ve had a super career. I’ve won everything that could be in wagon racing. I have no regrets in doing it and no regrets in retiring either. It’s been good to me and the fans I have out there is just tremendous, that’s what keeps a guy going,” Mitsuing said.

During his 37 year career, Mitsuing said chuckwagons have changed to be more businesslike with sponsors helping riders financially.

“As far as the racing goes, it’s a lot safer now than it used to be. There’s a lot of rules now and the equipment is so much better,” Mitsuing said.

The seven time CPCA champion isn’t stepping too far from the track as he said he will continue to help his sons with their racing careers.

Devin Mitsuing has taken some time off from wagon racing but Ray expects to see him back on the track soon. Dale Mitsuing competed this season along with his father and placed fourth overall.

“I’m quite confident that they’re good enough drivers that they can take over,” Mitsuing said.

The four time Calgary Stampede finalist said the rest of his summer will be his typical routine of setting up for next year.

“We’ll be going out horse shopping as we usually do every year, I don’t think anything will change as far as that goes at the moment like preparing for winter and picking up new horses and breaking horses and stuff like that,” Mitsuing said.

Mitsuing will continue to look after and train the horses at his personal race track on his property in Loon Lake. Outside of the wagons and competition, Mitsuing said he’ll continue living his life the way he normally does.

“Everyday living is I guess is what I’ll be doing. I’ve driven a school bus for forty years or so I’ll just continue doing that and look after horses,” Mitsuing said.

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nikita.ganovicheff@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @Nikitaganov