Record derby riders roll out in Piney
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Hundreds of off-road riders rolled through Piney for a record-setting ATV derby.
Terry Bjornson helped organize the community hall fundraiser. He said 1,700 hands of poker were sold, with about 500 ATVs and side-by-sides driving the 70-km route through the Sandilands Forest near Vassar, Badger and Menisino on Sept. 28.
“This was definitely a record year for participants,” said Bjornson, who grew up in Piney and now makes the drive out most weekends.
He said they normally sell about 1,000 hands, so this year was more than just a few extra on a balmy fall day. Some even just came out for the sunshine, lunch and the silent auction that had plenty of prizes donated by local businesses.
“The weather was so perfect, so everything led to a perfect day for the event,” said Bjornson.
With some hauling their ATVs – and more commonly now their side-by-sides – from places like Selkirk and Ashern, a little community of travelers sprung up in Piney.
“A lot of them come the night before,” said Bjornson.
The derby has been around for over a quarter century. Bjornson said the event has evolved over the years.
“People come out with their kids. It’s not just the avid riders, it’s kind of like a family thing,” he said.
Checkpoints along the way where riders got cards were also places to gather and grab a coffee or a burger, and spend time getting to know each other.
The derby is a local community effort, and a regional one, too. There were 64 volunteers helping to make this happen.
“I think the beauty of this is people from neighbouring communities actually come and help us, which is kind of special in its own right,” said Bjornson.
Half the proceeds went to the best four poker hands, which cost $5 each, with the rest after bills going to maintaining the community hall grounds. That includes the curling rink, pickleball, archery, and club meals.
The turnout was an extra boost after heavy rain meant the cancellation of this year’s mud run. The grounds by the curling rink could not handle the mud riders; but even after the record rain a week before the ATV derby, the sands of the Southeast’s forest had no issues with the moisture. Bjornson said it might have even been a little dusty with so many riders.