It's `chute Out' Time At The Wollongong Corral
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday March 8, 2000
World champion bull rider Troy Dunn will head a line-up of Australia's greatest riders at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre on March 17 and 18.
Beef exporter-cum-promoter Tony Berry has outlayed more than $150,000 for the two-night ``chute out".
Apart from Dunn, who is flying in from the United States with a reputation comparable to the all-time rodeo greats, 45 of Australia's best bull riders will compete.
Current Australian champion, 19-year-old Brendon Clarke, Danny and Scott Fraser from South Australia, the tiny but talented Dean Pace who mainly competes on the US professional rodeo circuit, Lance Kelly, also an international and former bull riding champion of Australia, and the high scoring Jeff Johnson will head a great line-up of world class riders.
Apart from winning the world championship, Dunn's claim to fame is having ridden Australia's greatest bull, Chainsaw, six times.
Other ``chute outs" to follow the Wollongong promotion will be held at the Sydney Superdome, Melbourne Tennis Centre and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The total cost will be more than $800,000.
The best bucking bulls from all over Australia are being mustered and transported to Wollongong for the event.
Bucking misfits such as Akruba Insanity, Tyson, Harpic, Freckles Brown, Matador, Poppa Bear, Viper and the greatly feared Jungle Juice, who many claim to be Australia's most ferocious bull, will be on the Wollongong card.
The entertainment centre will be a hive of action with introductions, grand entry, fireworks and a top-class band.
A media bull ride will include Michael Soltys, a regular bull rider on the southern circuit, who will represent The Illawarra Mercury, Matt Smith (Danger Man) from i98 FM and Matt Russell from WIN TV.
At least 5000 people are expected to pack the entertainment centre and all seats will have great viewing of non-stop action for about three hours.
The winner on each night will walk away with about $10,000 of the $24,000 for each night.
The action starts each night at 7.30pm. Tickets at Ticketek or the venue, adults $20, children $12 or a family of four $55.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury