2026 National Driving Championship Weekend
July 24 to 26 | Clinton Raceway | Clinton, Ont.
Canada's top harness racing drivers—and the sport's next generation—will gather in Clinton, Ont., from July 24 to 26 for the 2026 National Driving Championship and the inaugural Junior National Driving Championship.
Hosted by Standardbred Canada and Clinton Raceway, championship weekend celebrates the very best of Canadian harness racing. Eight regional champions will compete for the National Driving Championship title and the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship, while young drivers from across the country will make history in the first-ever Junior National Driving Championship.
From youth competition and fan activities to the Driver Showcase and the National Driving Championship, the weekend offers something for racing fans of all ages.
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| Saturday, July 25 | 10:45 a.m. | Streamed Live – Junior National Driving Championship |
| Saturday, July 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Streamed Live – Driver Showcase |
| Sunday, July 26 | 1:30 p.m. | Streamed Live – National Driving Championship |
Watch Live
Can't make it to Clinton? Follow the action live throughout championship weekend.
Junior National Driving Championship
Saturday, July 25
10:45 a.m. ET
Watch opening ceremonies, heats and the championship final live on Standardbred Canada's Facebook page.
Driver Showcase
Saturday, July 25
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
Streamed live on StandardbredCanada.ca.
National Driving Championship
Sunday, July 26
1:30 p.m. ET
Live coverage will be available on:
- StandardbredCanada.ca
- Standardbred Canada's Facebook page
- Standardbred Canada's YouTube channel
National Driving Championship Finalists
Eight drivers have earned their place in the 2026 National Driving Championship by advancing through regional championships across Canada. They will compete for the national title and the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship, which will be hosted in Canada.
Ontario Regional Driving Championship
- Tyler Borth
- Jody Jamieson
Western Regional Driving Championship
- Phil Giesbrecht
- Kelly Hoerdt
Quebec/Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship
- Nick Boyd
- Stephane Brosseau
Atlantic Regional Driving Championship
- Marc Campbell
- Keith Legge
Junior National Driving Championship
The inaugural Junior National Driving Championship brings together young competitors from the Ontario Young Guns Racing Association and the Maritime Mini Racing Association, giving them the opportunity to compete on a national stage while learning alongside Canada's top professional drivers.
The event will be streamed live on Standardbred Canada's Facebook page beginning at 10:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 25, with opening ceremonies from the Clinton Raceway winner's circle followed by the championship heats and final.
Junior competitors arrive at Clinton Raceway at 10 a.m., followed by warm-ups beginning at 10:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies take place at 10:45 a.m. before racing gets underway at 11 a.m.
Fans are invited to enjoy a complimentary pizza lunch and meet-and-greet beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be available while supplies last.
Competition resumes at noon before the championship final at 12:15 p.m. Awards and closing ceremonies will immediately follow as Canada's first Junior National Driving Champion is crowned.
Maritime Mini Racing Association
- Ahlea Fudge – Lady Bravo (Willow)
- Lucas Heffernan-Bailey – Celly
- Connor Wilkie – Biscuit
- Logan Walker – Onedayoutofmytux (Tux F)
Ontario Young Guns Racing Association
- Macie Mayhew – Blaze
- Siara Jamieson – Looney Tunes
- Lucas House – Cinnamon
- Chase Graham – Firefly
- Noah Steward – Elmo
- Owen Steward – Elmo
- Jate Lilley – Lightning
- Sadie Lilley – Dusty Boots
- Eva Wilkins – Ruby
- Tenley Rooney – Candy
- Adrianna Arbuckle – Hidden Delilah
- Rory MacInnis – Queenie
- Cami Saftic – Rocky
Standardbred Canada and Clinton Raceway invite members, families and racing fans to attend the event or tune in live online to celebrate the future of Canadian harness racing and cheer on Canada's rising stars as Canada's first Junior National Driving Champion is crowned.
About the National Driving Championship
Since 2007, the National Driving Championship has determined Canada's representative for the World Driving Championship through a regional qualification format.
Drivers compete in one-day regional championships across the country, with the top two finishers from each event advancing to the national championship. The winner earns the right to represent Canada at the next World Driving Championship.
National Driving Championship Past Winners
| Year | Host Track | Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Red Shores | Gilles Barrieau |
| 2009 | Fraser Downs | Brad Forward |
| 2011 | Red Shores | Jody Jamieson |
| 2014 | Red Shores | Jody Jamieson |
| 2016 | Raceway at Western Fair | Brandon Campbell |
| 2018 | Grand River Raceway | Doug McNair |
| 2022 | Century Mile | Doug McNair |
| 2024 | Hippodrome 3R | James MacDonald |
Canadian World Driving Champions
Canadian drivers have captured the World Driving Championship six times:
- 1970 — Hervé Filion
- 1999 — Sylvain Filion
- 2001 — Jody Jamieson
- 2011 — Jody Jamieson
- 2017 — James MacDonald
- 2025 — James MacDonald
Join us in Clinton or tune in live throughout the weekend as Canada's best drivers compete for national honours and the next generation of harness racing talent takes centre stage in the inaugural Junior National Driving Championship.