c/o
Site 4,
Mr. George
Brookman,
Chairman of
the Board & President
1410 Olympic
Way SE
Dear George,
RE: Rod Salmond – requesting an invitation for
2008
It was a
pleasure meeting you the other week at the Artists of the World event. As per our discussion, I’m sending you this
letter requesting that the Calgary Stampede grant Rod Salmond, Chuckwagon
Driver an invitation to race in the 2008 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby.
George, as mentioned,
I’m a long standing chuckwagon sponsor with the Calgary Fire Fighters Firewagon
Chuckwagon Association. I’ve represented
this group for over ten years and I’m an avid chuckwagon supporter, actually,
as it has been said “chuckwagon racing is
in my blood”. My family has been
involved in chuckwagon racing for over 60 years at the Calgary Stampede. Hank Willard, my Uncle and Ward Willard, my
cousin are past champions with Ward’s son, Jess Willard winning rookie of the
year. Plus, I have been a Calgary Fire
Fighter for 30 years. Thus the creation
of the Firewagon!
George, for
five years we have sponsored Rod Salmond.
Our partnership has been a wonderful arrangement. Together we promote the Calgary Stampede, chuckwagon
racing and community spirit. Proceeds
raised from our association go to the Kid’s Cancer Care and Calgary Fire
Fighters Support Foundation.
However, we have
a concern since on
…1/2
Rod Salmond special request
– letter
Page 2
Oh behalf of
Rod (yes, I have secured Rod’s blessing on putting forward this special
request) and our sponsorship involvement, I’m requesting that the Calgary
Stampede make an exception for Rod Salmond.
Currently Rod
has acquired enough points on the 2007 Canadian Professional Chuckwagon
Association (CPCA) tour to return to
Chuckwagon
racing is an integral part of Rod’s life and with his current status on the
CPCA circuit he welcomes an opportunity to race one more year at the Calgary
Stampede. Rod is the consummate
gentleman and ambassador for chuckwagon racing, the Firewagon and the Calgary
Stampede. As mentioned, together our
partnership has helped promote the Calgary Stampede and chuckwagon racing. So much so that some of our original
Firewagon members have gone on to purchase their own wagons. We know that six of the 36 wagon sponsors at
the 2007 Stampede were once part of the Firewagon association.
Time is of
the essence! Based on the circumstances,
Rod has started preparations by organizing an auction on Saturday, July 14th
at the Stampede chuckwagon barns to sell off his assets. He gratefully appreciates the Stampede’s cooperation
in order for him to conduct the auction, if required.
George, I would
appreciate your assistance in securing an invitation in order for Rod Salmond to
officially race at the 2008
In the
meantime, if you require any additional information or would like to discuss
this matter further, please contact me directly at (403) 606-8059. I will follow up with you prior to Thursday,
July 12 to confirm the status of this request.
In the meantime, please know that
I along with hundreds of individual, family and over 60 corporate members are
proud of our involvement. Together, we wish
you and the
Thank you
kindly,
President
cc: Vern Kimball, Chief Executive Officer, Dr.
David Chalack, Vice-Chairman, John Copithorne, Director Responsible for
Chuckwagons, Rob Laidlaw, Director, Scott Postlewaite, Chairman - Chuckwagon
Committee, Rod Salmond, CPCA & Firewagon Chuckwagon Driver, Dale Hawryliew,
CPCA President, Tony Lefebre, CPCA Past President