Calling all Heavyweights of Heat … Shank Brothers BBQ are turning up the heat at this year’s Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Hot Wing Challenge,
with a an all-new and EXCLUSIVE, face-melting hot sauce!
Introducing The Ghost of Chainsaw feat. Carolina Reaper, Moruga Scorpion, Habanero, and Bhut Joloki
CHAINSAW. It’s a name that still gives cowboys across the country a cold shiver. He was the famous, unrideable bull who reigned supreme across the Australian rodeo circuit between 1987 and 1994. He could spin on a two cent piece, lunge, kick all four legs in the air, and fly out of the chute and barrel role with an athleticism that made Michael Jordan look like a penguin. Long after his final buck, Chainsaw remains a rodeo legend.
This year, in the tribute we didn’t know we needed, low ‘n’ slow pitmasters the Shank Brothers BBQ together with Mount Isa Mines Rodeo have created a hot sauce for the famous Hot Wing Challenge, and named it, Ghost of Chainsaw.
The Shank Brothers’ Hot Wing Challenge at Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is the stuff legends area made of. Onlookers stare, transfixed with a mix of fascination and horror, as they watch iron-stomached masochists compete to eat as many hot wings, until only one champion is left standing. It’s the literal Hunger Games.
This year, the Scoville level is being turned right up to “my soul has left my body” with the Ghost of Chainsaw, which Shankie Ralph Barnett said is every bit as fiery as the champion bull, and is guaranteed to knock rodeo goers on their butts in less than eight seconds flat.
“Making the sauce felt like building a nuclear bomb,” he said. “Every step had to be treated with extreme caution due to the potency of all the different chilies mixing together.”
The masters of magma forged this beast of a hot sauce from a selection of the world’s hottest chilies, including Carolina Reaper, Moruga Scorpion, Habanero and Bhut Joloki. Even with full face and body protection, and gas mask, the cooking process left the team sneezing and coughing, and any exposed skin was left burning for 24 hours after!
But how does it taste?
After being deceived by a pleasant hit of fruity habanero with garlic, onion and lime notes, “an unrelenting inferno attacks all the senses,” said Ralph.
A quarter of a teaspoon hits harder than Vesuvius, from the top of the mouth to deep in the stomach – with some even experiencing a second burn six hours later, leaving the most experienced hot sauce enthusiasts whimpering like a pup in purgatory.
With the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo just a few weeks away, heat lovers are wondering if last year’s champion, known only as “The German” will return? This Helga of Hot Sauce was last seen shouting her fellow competitors cold cans of beer at the bar, in an attempt to help extinguish the inferno inside. Woman or myth, “The German” may return this year to defend her title, if her stomach lining is still intact!
Ghost of Chainsaw was created by Mount Isa Mines Rodeo and Shank Brothers BBQ for the Hot Wing Challenge and will be available for exclusive purchase ONLY at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo – so if you want to put your taste buds to the test and dance with devil, make sure you get your explosive behinds up to Mount Isa this August.
This year the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo becomes a FESTIVAL, from Saturday August 5 through to Sunday August 13, and includes celebrations marking 100 Years of Mount Isa.
Mount Isa Rodeo Festival highlights include:
Saturday 5th August: Bell and Moir Toyota Rodeo Arena Ball
THE MOST glamorous country hoedown, held on the famous red dirt of the open-air rodeo arena, raising funds for Mount Isa-based charities. Prepare your rhinestones and sequins and get ready to boot scoot ‘til late!
Tuesday 8th August: Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ Dinner
Celebrating the pioneers and champions of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo with four new inductees announced.
Wednesday 9th August: Isa Street Festival featuring Darryl Braithwaite
A street parade for the ages in Mount Isa, headlined by the man himself, Darryl Braithwaite, who will pay tribute to the horses of the rodeo with his most famous song.
Thursday 10th August: Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships featuring Jessica Mauboy
- The second year of the Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championships will see more records set, and indigenous riders celebrated, before Jessica Mauboy takes to the stage, with DJ Deadly Jacob hosting.
- A Welcome to Country and cultural performance by the Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers and the spectacular Komet Torres Strait Islander Arts and Culture Dance Group.
- Don’t miss Dancing Dexter in the Red Dirt Arena, the crowd-pleasing Bull Fighter from last year’s Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships!
Friday 11th to 13th August: Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
- Returning champions and contenders go ride for ride in the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo and the third largest rodeo in the world.
- Entertainment includes The Angels, The Screaming Jets, O’SHEA, Furnace and the Fundamentals, and Luke Geiger
- The Shank Brothers return with their infamous Hot Chilli Wing Challenge - register for one of their HEATS!
- NEW – Bell and Moir Toyota Kalkadoon Bar & Grill for lunch and dinner – a new dining offering which includes a two course menu prepared by Chef Jason Peppler, beer and wine and outstanding views of the rodeo arena hosted by Channel Seven’s Kimberley Busteed and a bunch of good friends. Bookings essential.
- An incredible 5m high inflatable boot as part of our Kids Zone – perfect for rodeo selfies!
ABOUT MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO
In 1959, a group of people with passion and an intrinsic sense of potential formed the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc (MIRRI). Their vision was to put the new, remote town of Mount Isa on the map and raise funds for charity organisations in the new city. Through 63 years of whip-cracking vision and dedication, the event has evolved into legendary status. The event is part of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association’s (APRA’s) national circuit. The event is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland and is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The rodeo schedule includes the Bull Ride (Open, Over 40s, 2nd & Junior Division), Saddle Bronc (Open & 2nd Division), Bareback (Open & 2nd Division), Rope & Tie (Open), Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Ladies Barrel Race, Ladies Breakaway Roping and Mini Bull Rides.
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo FESTIVAL: August 5 to 13, 2023
After a record-breaking event in 2022, which saw entries top out at 956, a highest ever purse of $300,000 and the staging of the first ever Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships, the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere is back! Website: Isarodeo.com.au
This event is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland
For media enquiries, images, interviews and more please contact Kath Rose | 0416 291 493 | kath@kathrose.com
