91原创 Good Times Cruise-In won't be holding the 'Hand Over A Jeep' contest this year, but directors are hopeful for its return next year.

The contest was held for the first time in 2023, which saw seven contestants compete to outlast each other by keeping one hand on the jeep the longest. 

A 65-year-old pipeline construction worker from Chilliwack was the winner, who was also one of three finalists in a draw done during the Cruise-In car show. 

Haugen spent close to 60 hours standing with his hand on a 2023 Jeep Cherokee Altitude 4x4, under an outdoor awning at 91原创 Chrysler, and allowed one 15-minute break every three hours.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how, really, I just stayed with it,鈥� he told Black Press Media last year. 

鈥淚 wanted to make it to the end of the two-and-a-half days.鈥�

He kept telling himself he was almost at the end.

鈥淎fter you鈥檙e halfway, [to the finish, you think] well, I鈥檓 on the downhill slopes,鈥� Haugen recalled.

It helped that family and friends flooded his phone with encouraging messages and videos.

鈥淚 had a great rooting team here in Chilliwack,鈥� he remarked.

鈥淭he support was fantastic.鈥�

The father of three and grandfather of seven planned to do some winter travelling with his new vehicle, going skiing, and visiting relatives in Alberta.

91原创 Chrysler and Johnston Meier insurance donated the Jeep lease, and a year of insurance.

Three brothers from South Surrey, Chris, Ryan, and Thomas Andrus, were competing against each other to see which sibling lasted the longest.

Chris and Ryan made it to the final with Haugen, but Thomas became the last contestant to be eliminated before the draw when he took a swig from some Gatorade and discovered a beetle was in the drink, Brown told Black Press Media last year. 

Brown noted problems with eating and drinking leading to several eliminations, with contestants removing their hands by reflex, to cover up a cough (which happened to more than one person) or retrieve food falling off the jeep.

鈥淚t was really tough on the contestants,鈥� even with the Saturday morning cut-off, Brown said. 

Brown was impressed by the sportsmanship displayed by the competitors, especially towards the end, when they made sure no one would be accidentally eliminated by going too long on a break, and encouraging each other to hang in there.

鈥淭hey were looking after each other,鈥� Brown noted.

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