The first of four Regional Driving Championships, to determine eight drivers in the National Driving Championship (NDC) and ultimately Canada’s rep to the 2023 World Driving Championship in Italy, kicks off tonight as The Raceway at Western Fair District hosts the Ontario Regional Driving Championship (ORDC).

Racing starts at 5:50 p.m. and the ORDC races are Races 3 through 11 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 2021, James MacDonald, along with this year’s leader in wins, Travis Henry. Trevor Henry, who is no stranger to these competitions, won the 2018 ORDC and previously competed in three NDC events, will also be competing.   

Rounding out the field are: Colin Kelly, Brett MacDonald, Bob McClure, Doug McNair, Louis-Philippe Roy and Austin Sorrie. 

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 2022 NDC at Century Mile Racetrack in Edmonton, Alta. 

Here’s what’s happening for the ORDC:

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

► Pick The Winner Contest - Pick the driver that you think will win the ORDC for your chance to win dinner for four at The Raceway’s Top of The Fair Restaurant. Ballots will be available in the program.

ONLINE CONTESTS

Standardbred Canada Online Handicapping Contest

► Standardbred Canada 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 HPI card, 125 TrackIT credits and an official RDC cap. Contest closes at 6:00 p.m. (EST) Click here to enter.

Driver Draft Contest

► The Raceway will be running a driver draft contest! Each player will select 4 drivers with the goal of accumulating as many points as possible on the ORDC race card. Enter the contest HERE for your chance to win a $100 gift card to The Keg! 

COSA Pick Your Driver Contest

► Pick which driver you think will win the ORDC for your chance to WIN a set of tickets to the Camluck Classic Infield Experience or a Raceway prize pack! Click here to play along - one entry per email. Contest closes tonight before Race 1 (5:50 p.m. EST post time)

ALSO AT THE RACEWAY:

► COSA TV Live Coverage

► Homestretch Bar Open

► Half-price wine in the Top of The Fair Restaurant

Want to keep track of the scoring at home? Click here for a downloadable and printable ORDC scorecard.  

SCORING

The Regional Driving Championships and the National Driving Championship will adapt the point system utilized in the World Driving Championship. Points will be awarded on the order of finish as follows:

Number of Starters: 9
16 (1), 11 (2), 8 (3), 6 (4), 5 (5), 4 (6), 3 (7), 2 (8), 1 (9)

Number of Starters 8:
15 (1), 10 (2), 7 (3), 5 (4), 4 (5), 3 (6), 2 (7), 1 (8).

Number of Starters 7:
14 (1), 9 (2), 6 (3), 4 (4), 3 (5), 2 (6), 1 (7).

In the event of a scratch, the driving rep drawn to a horse shall drive the ‘also eligible’ horse.

In the event of a horse being scratched or where no horse is available, five (5) points shall be awarded to the driver concerned. If a horse is disqualified or a horse and driver fail to complete the race, they will receive one (1) point.

In the event of a dead heat for any placing in any race the points for the horses involved will be added together and divided equally among the drivers concerned (eg. If there’s a dead heat for third between two horses, the points for third and fourth place will be added and divided among the drivers).