Another torch is about to be passed down in chuckwagon racing. Ray Mitsuing, a multi-time Canadian Pro champion and former GMC Rangeland Derby aggregate champion and finalist, senses the day could arrive as soon as this fall when he'll step away and leave three of his sons to carry on the tradition.
This rite of passage is something that has been going on for as many as four generations in what is generally considered a family sport.
Although the 56-year-old Mitsuing won't come right out and say this could be his swan song, he likes the way 26-year-old son Devin has taken to the wagon these past five years, along with out riding sons Darren and Dale.
A fourth son, Dean, is a member of the RCMP and not allowed to partake in this wild and woolly sport.
"I'm thinking this could be it at the end of the year but I'm not saying it will be," said the elder Mitsuing. "But it's just about time to let the boys take over."
There's some rumbles that Ray and Devin might surface at the World Pro qualifying run-off this fall, dad wanting to finish off his last season with the Albertabased circuit while helping Devin get his feet wet with the group.
Neither will confirm nor deny that speculation.
"If he retires, there's a possibility," admits Devin, who finished 10th in the Canadian standings last year, "so I don't want to say yes or no right now."
Young Mitsuing is having himself quite a show as he not only battles World Pro competitor Brian Mayan for top rookie honours but also tries to remain in the top eight to gain a bye into next year's Rangeland and a spot in next Sunday's semifinals.
He stood seventh going into Sunday's third day of running and, despite being forced to the overland route off barrel No. 4 on a damp track, his solid run of 1:17.01 catapulted him to third place, less than two seconds back of 10-time champ Kelly Sutherland.
Sutherland kept the lead atop the 36-wagon pack for a second straight day in the chase for the eight-day aggregate laurels with a run of 1:17.06 and total time of 3:50.60. Moving from fifth to second was three-time champion Buddy Bensmiller at 3:51.73, while Neal Walgenbach jumped from eighth to fourth at 3:52.95.
Needless to say, Devin Mitsuing has made his dad proud, opening with a bang Friday when he stopped the clock in the fourth fastest time of the night. Yeah, even faster than dad, and now he's camping with the big boys for at least one day.
"He's driven for five years and learned quite a bit . . . been with me at Calgary since he was a kid so he knows all about it," said the former chief of the Loon Lake Band and resident of Meadow Lake, Sask. "He co-drove for a number of years here so he knows what to expect.
"That's really a good thing to happen for him as long as he don't get spoiled . . . there's ups and downs in this game and he's got to learn to accept that."
Well there's no big ego developing, of that you can be sure. While Devin said he didn't feel intimidated by the big crowd when he rolled in for his first race, it was still magical. And continues to be every time he hooks for this 10day run.
"I couldn't have ever imagined it," he said of Friday. "I was hoping for a good run but I never thought it'd be that good. The first time I ever got in a wagon was here in Calgary when my dad asked me to co-drive (pre-race and post parade) and that's the most butterflies I ever felt, going in front of the grandstand for the first time.
"I was 18 years old and that's when I knew I wanted to be a wagon driver."
That dream's been fulfilled. Now it's on to the next chapter, and that consists of little more than a wish to keep running clean and maybe bumping elbows in a race with the likes of Kelly Sutherland or Jason Glass or maybe even his dad here in Calgary.
"Right now I'm just honoured to be a part of the 36 drivers here," he said, "seeing all these big names walking around. But it'd be kind of neat to get in a race with guys like that . . . those are the kind of guys you want to be hooked against."

Media: Calgary Herald

Class Notes:

2009 was a highlight year for Devin; not only finishing in the top ten of the CPCA Driver Standings, he also qualified for his first Calgary Stampede. Throughout the year, Devin was in the top ten fourteen times and amongst the top ten Aggregate Points five out of ten shows.

How did you get started wagon racing?
I grew up in the sport following my dad, Ray Mitsuing.

Who has influenced you the most in the sport and how?
My dad has been the biggest influence by teaching me how to drive and by showing me the way to care for the horses.

What is your main goal for 2010?
To keep improving as a driver and to make a respectable appearance in Calgary.

Who is the key horse in your barn and why?
Skippy and Don; they are both right leaders who turn very fast and start hard every time.

Tell the Fans something about yourself that they may find interesting.
I played Midget AAA Hockey for two years with Notre Dame Hounds. I enjoy golfing, hunting and spending time with the horse. I am also a Rock Band expert on guitar.

Theme Song: "Thunderstruck" by ACDC