This Saturday (July 17) at 1:30 p.m., Hanover Raceway is set host the first five legs of the OLG Ontario Women's Driving Championship, with the top female drivers in Ontario set to square off in battle, for a chance to be crowned the champion.

This two-day event, with Dresden Raceway holding the final five legs on Sunday, July 18 at 1:00 p.m., is a fundraising initiative for the Canadian Cancer Society for Cervical Cancer at Hanover Raceway and Harness The Hope at Dresden Raceway, two worthy causes that the drivers in the event are happy to support.

"I'm honoured and excited to be involved in this event and to help raise money for two great causes. I've had family members and friends that have been affected by Cancer. It's a horrible disease and it will be great to one day find a cure," said driver Pam Forgie.

"It's definitely for two great causes. It is nice to see women in the driver's seat, in a male-dominated sport." commented driver Andrea Leon.

"I am incredibly proud to participate in this event. It is supporting such fantastic causes. It is also a great opportunity to showcase our lady drivers. Hopefully we can highlight that girls/women are strong and capable competitors in the sport." noted driver Maggie Jones.

Natasha Day is honoured to be asked to be part of the initial event. "We lack women on the racetrack and we need to showcase what girls / women can do in this industry. Horses will travel and race just as good for a girl as a guy, sometimes better! Turns out we aren't just good cooks," Day remarked. Girls can drive too."

For Hanover Raceway General Manager Steve Fitzsimmons, hearing the feedback about this event has been very rewarding. "People from across the province are very excited to watch this. Some have never been to a race track before and are telling us they want to support this. We're very heartened by that.

"One of the goals of our event is to encourage young women that they can be part of our sport, that it's inclusive and that there is room for them to be a great driver or anything else if they want to be. These drivers are their role models to look up to. I'm proud to be one of the race tracks to showcase their skills and to be hosting this event. To do it for two great causes and raise some much needed funds, makes it very gratifying as well."

Hanover Raceway is holding an Online Silent Auction to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society that runs until Saturday, July 17th at 6pm. It is at . There is also a donate button on the site, if you want to support the cause and not bid on any items.

Hanover and Dresden are combining on a $500 Survivor Contest, sponsored by COSA, with the five OWDC races at Hanover, combined with the five OWDC races at Dresden. It will be available late Thursday at hanoverraceway.com.

Two divisions of the Prospect Series for two-year-old pacing colts are also on the Saturday card, with the rookies squaring off for over $7,000 apiece.

With Hanover Raceway's increased capacity, this week they are able to host 635 fans. If you would like to attend, pre-register at hanoverraceway.com or call the office at 519-364-2860 for further information. To register for Dresden for Sunday's conclusion of the OLG Ontario Women's Driving Championship, email them the names of everyone in your party and phone numbers to [email protected] or message their Facebook page.

To view the entries for Saturday's card of harness racing at Hanover, click one of the following links:
Saturday Entries || TrackIT Program Pages

(Hanover)