Mud races take over south Regina, and raise the question of safety

The Canadian Mud Racing Organization (CMRO) hosted a mud drag in the Queen city this weekend.

It featured monster trucks, tractor pulls, and even speeder nitro-engine races.

The thrill of dirt and danger can pull crowds in from miles away, but is it safe?

“My throttle stuck on another guys car, I was driving, and I jumped the highway and I broke my back,” driver Ryan Scoular said.

Ryan Scoular said he can laugh about it now but that wasn’t his first collision.

“Hit some bumps coming out the end of a pit and tossed the Car sideways, Scoular said.

Often airborne, these vehicle can run up to 200 feet in under 2 and a half seconds. Shane Ohlrogge drove his families Racing in the Dirt Friday evening, and won his class.

The initial launch is when you get the G-force. We do about two, two and a half G-force on the line,” Ohlrogge said.

Shane and his father Scott Ohlrogge run Racing in the Dirt, a Wisconcon based family run business that sells specialized parts across the world.

“Your gloves, your proper shoes, proper pants, and getting in the belts properly, when you are in this cockpit, you are part of the car. You are literally tight,” he said.

The CMRO does have rules and regulations, but certain safety aspects are up to the individual drivers. Scoular said he owes it to his gear for saving his life, and believes what he wears is enough.

“There is more safety things I could do, or wear, but its personal,”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There is more safety things I could do, or wear, but its personal,"</p></blockquote><p>he said.

he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There is more safety things I could do, or wear, but its personal,"</p></blockquote><p>he said.

With 18 years experience behind a muddy wheel, he is currently healing and taking time off, but excited to get back on the track.

“I do believe it’s a safe sport,” Scoular said.

From a drivers perspective, they feel it is a safe sport. Many told Global News that they wouldn’t drive if they didn’t feel safe, and just like in any sport there is always a chance of injury.

Drivers also explained that the community of mud racing is very friendly and neighbours who were once strangers will lend mechanical assistance or even parts if necessary.