Grandstand Events are Ready for 2022 Phillips County Fair

Though there will be a new look and feel at the 2022 Phillips County Fair Grandstand events, the venue will host several events this weekend.

This weekend, the PC Fair will be hosting a concert on Friday, August 5, at 7 p.m., a combined Demolition Derby/ AMX Racing Event on Saturday, August 6, at 3 p.m., and Indian Relay Races / Chariot Races on Sunday, August 7, at 11 a.m.

The PCN caught up with Keith Cowan, President of Dodson AMX Racing, and Francine Stiffarm, event coordinator for the Indian Relay Racing event.

AMX

Saturday's AMX race will be the first of the year for Dodson, who had to cancel their first round of racing due to the damage the PC Fairgrounds sustained earlier this year due to severe wind storms this past spring.

"We are excited," Cowan said. "The drivers are excited to get out there. We are working on getting everything lined out but it will be a good show."

Though there is still time to go before the racing starts, Cowan said there are 25 cars registered for the event.

AMX also will be adding a new wrinkle this year, a possibility for racers to win money during the opening hot lap portion, which kicks off Saturday's motorsport evening, at 3 p.m.

Cowan said that an anonymous person gave a $300 purse to the racer that posts the fastest hot lap.

"There is no class in this," Cowan said. "The super stock cars are competing against the stock cars and whoever gets the fastest lap, can have the pot."

He was also told that random drivers have wanted to add to the pot, raising the stakes.

"Even our hot laps are going to be exciting this year," Cowan said.

The AMX races are starting earlier this year because the track is missing a few lights, but Cowan hopes that nighttime racing can happen again next year.

As far as alternating between AMX and Demo Derby, Cowan said that both sides enjoy sharing the stage.

"The racers and derby guys really enjoy that because it gives them a little more time to work on their cars if they need to," Cowan said. "From what we hear from the fans, they like it too. There is no downtime. We don't want the fan to be sitting. We want them on their feet, enjoying the show."

Given what the fairgrounds had been through, Cowan took a minute to give credit to the Phillips County Fair Board.

"You have gotta respect the fair board for what they do for us," Cowan said.

INDIAN RELAY

The Fort Belknap NorthEast Corner Committee and Phillips County Fair Board are bringing back Indian Relay and Chariot Races for the fifth year.

"It's exhilarating," Stiffarm said. "It's exciting and it brings out the adrenaline; even for the people watching in the crowd."

The Men's Relay will feature 12 teams, each vying for a championship and a hefty payout. The payout is currently $15,000 split for the men's event, and $3,000 split in the women's races.

Stiffarm confirmed that there are former champions returning to the PC Fairgrounds

"We have GoesAheadPretty, Young Money, and Black Rock coming back and they are all former champs," Stiffarm said.

There will be three qualifying heats in the morning. Consolation and Championship Races will occur later that day.

This year, the event will feature its second annual Women's Category. And this year there will be six teams including Young Money's Women team.

"We had teams calling left and right this year," Stiffarm said in regards to the women's event.

Stiffarm was asked how she felt the crowd reacted to the women's event last year.

"Everybody was excited," Stiffarm said. "We have seen the men and know what they are capable of, so everybody was excited to see the women be able to show their athleticism; not only in riding but also in the exchanges. It's just a good vibe to see women be able to do it also."

The damage to the fairgrounds raised concern amongst many of the teams, but Stiffarm had faith that the show would go on.

"Knowing the fair board, and knowing how dedicated they are to be the longest continuously running fair in Montana, I told them to be prepared because I was pretty sure that our board would figure out a way," Stiffarm said.

Memorial races include the Kathleen Perez Memorial Warrior Race, a race where the riders run fifty yards to their horses, jump on, and race around the track.

The Michael Ball Memorial Chief Race will consist of racers riding with regalia, a CutstheRope Sisters Ladies Memorial Race, and a race held in honor of William "Bill" Runsabove" Indian Mile Memorial Race. The Indian Mile race will be a two-lap race where the rider only rides on one horse.

There will also be a Kid's Relay Race, Chariot Races, and Kid's Chariot Races.