One of the greatest honors a person can receive in chuckwagon racing is an award in memory of a former competitor or person who has made a significant impact on the sport and people’s lives.
George Normand was one of the true professional ambassadors of chuckwagon racing and the first driver to win 6 World Championships. George made significant contributions to improving and advancing the sport of chuckwagon racing up until he lost his life during a racing accident in 1994.
One of the prestigious awards presented last weekend at the WPCA Awards Banquet was the George Normand Lifetime Builder’s Award.
The 2023 WPCA George Normand Lifetime Builder’s Award sponsored by KDB Carpentry, was presented to WPCA radio broadcaster Arnie Jackson.
Arnie’s broadcasting career started back in the 1960’s when he attended Western Canada High School in Calgary.
His drama teacher Dr. Betty Mitchell suggested he had the voice for radio, but he needed some training because she wanted his voice as part of a play.
Arnie was officially introduced to radio after his drama teacher called CFAC radio and asked if morning man Clarence Mack could help him. Arnie received voice training, breathing, enunciation, articulation and all the coaching to be a good broadcaster and never looked back.
Arnie Jackson has been a part of the broadcasting industry for over 50 years. He first learned about chuckwagon racing from the broadcast booth with Iris Glass and Lorne Ball.
Arnie met drivers like Orville Strandquist, Slim Helmig, Tom Dorchester and Dallas Dorchester early in his career and he did interviews with them to learn more about chuckwagon racing. Since then, Arnie Jackson has played a significant role in building chuckwagon racing through broadcasting and promoting the sport on both radio and television. Hosting “The Chucks on Shaw” and the WPCA Radio Broadcasts are examples, chuckwagon racing fans will recognize.
Watch the video below created by Billy Melville that was played at the WPCA Awards Banquet and learn more about Arnie Jackson’s career.
