Name: Ray Rooks

 

Date of Birth: August 16, 1948

 

Hometown: Swan River

 

Occupation: Rancher/Truck Driver

  

Family: Wife Vivian, sons late Kristen and Hayden, Daughters Shannon and Colleen

 

Ray has been racing chariot and chuckwagon since 1965. Ray proudly carries the canvas of The Swan River Indian and Metis Friendship Center, and Scales Drug Store is his chariot sponsor. He is a past world champion, and has won the MPCCA High Point Wagon award four times.

 

Ray was an original charter member of the MPCCA and credits Buster Soura and Delbert Taylor for his start into the sport. He has held the position of president for several years and is an avid promoter of the sport. Ray’s greatest achievement is handing the lines down to all four of his children. The late Kristen Rooks was a wagon driver, and official starter for the MPCCA until his passing in 2004. Shannon has raced chariot and worked as a track judge, but now finds it difficult with two children. Colleen currently races in all three Prairie Provinces. She has won many shows in all three provinces and is currently the Provincial Manitoba Chariot Champion. Hayden races chariot and chuckwagon and is currently the Provincial Manitoba Chuckwagon Champion. Hayden has also taken on the role as webmaster, and measuring representative for the MPCCA.

 

Ray and Vivian are looking forward to the 2008 race season and plan to travel Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.