The first of four Regional Driving Championships, to determine eight drivers in the National Driving Championship (NDC) and ultimately Canada’s rep to the 2019 World Driving Championship in Sweden, kicks off tonight as The Raceway at Western Fair District hosts the Ontario Regional Driving Championship (ORDC).

Racing starts at 6:15 p.m. and the ORDC races are races two through ten on the card. Nine of Ontario’s most talented harness racing drivers will compete in this event. Each driver will compete in eight races, drive from every post position and sit out one race.

The field includes Canada’s Driver of the Year for 2017, Doug McNair, along with this year’s leader in wins and earnings, Louis-Philippe Roy. Jody Jamieson, no stranger to these competitions, and a two-time World Driving Champion is also competing.

Rounding out the field are: Alfie Carroll, Jonathan Drury, J Harris, Trevor Henry, Bob McClure and Robert Shepherd.

To view Wednesday's entries, click on one of the following links: Western Fair - Wednesday Entries - Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).

Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers from the nine-race competition will join six other drivers at the 2018 NDC at Grand River Raceway.

Want to keep track of the scoring at home? Here's a downloadable and printable ORDC scorecard. Document not loading below? Please refresh your page or click the link to open in a new window.

Here’s what’s happening for the ORDC:

ON-TRACK CONTESTS – Enter by the start of Race #3

► Ontario Racing’s Be A Winner Contest – Free to enter, stop by the OR Booth on track. Cash and prizes for finalists and the winner receives a $50 betting voucher, winner’s circle photo and an RDC hat.

► I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club’s Pick To Win Contest - Pick the driver that you think will win the ORDC for your chance to win a Camluck Classic Infield Prize Package along with a Fan Club Prize Package.

ONLINE HANDICAPPING CONTEST

The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club has organized an Online Handicapping Contest for the ORDC. The contest features an assortment of questions based on the ORDC races. The winner will receive a $50 gift card for the racetrack of their choice, a $50 Fan Club prize package and an official RDC cap. Contest closes at 5:00 p.m. (EST) Click here to enter.

ALSO AT THE RACEWAY:

► $1 programs on-track
► $11.99 Fish and Chips Special
► Beer and BBQ Show Ticket Giveaway
► Homestretch Bar open