A new set of wheels and a love for drag-and-drive racing brought Bluffton residents Cali Stuart and Derek Hansen back to the Miles of Mayhem competition for the second year. And it did not disappoint.
“This year was great,” said Stuart. “This was our first year with the new car – a fresh build.” Hansen and Stuart’s new racer is a 1965 four-door Plymouth Valiant and it’s certainly hard to miss.
“They’ve named it the Electric Pickle,” Stuart laughed. “It’s the brightest green known to man. Derek said, ‘If you can’t win, you might as well make a show.’”
Hansen finished sixth in his pro street class and Stuart said he was able to achieve some of his personal best times.
“I’m very proud of Derek for all the work he’s done,” she said. “There are definitely still some learning curves, but we’ll work through it. Sometimes that’s half the fun. Last year he finished, this year he finished and made some of his best times, and next year we’ll really compete.”
Stuart said the organizers did a fantastic job again this year.
“It was way more organized this year, they knew more of what to expect,” she explained. “I was impressed. It was a really good turn out.”
Miles of Mayhem is the only Canadian drag-and-drive competition. It ran from Aug. 14 to 19 and started in Medicine Hat. On Sunday, Aug. 14, racers had a testing and tuning day and then the competition officially began on Monday, Aug. 15. Drivers race and then drive their racecar to the next racing destination. After Medicine Hat, drivers went on to Saskatoon, and then Forestburg, Rimbey and back to Medicine Hat for the final day of racing. The races were one-eighth of a mile and there were multiple classes for vehicles with various levels of modifications.
Stuart said she and Hansen plan to do the race again next year and Hansen wants to use the Electric Pickle to compete in Rocky Mountain Race Week in the US, as well.
“Between Rocky Mountain Race Week and Miles of Mayhem, the competitors are different, but it’s still a family feeling,” Stuart said. “Everybody is so friendly and willing to help.”
To add more excitement to the week, Stuart and Hansen also got engaged on Aug. 14, the testing and tuning day.
“I totally enjoyed myself,” Stuart said of the racing week. “I’m looking forward to more.”