The field of eight drivers has been confirmed for the 2022 Western Regional Driving Championship taking place at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino. 

Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that the following drivers will take part:

Brandon Campbell (B.C.)
Phil Giesbrecht (Alta.)
Mike Hennessy (Alta.)
Kelly Hoerdt (Alta.)
Dave Kelly (Alta.)
Scott Knight (B.C.)
Glenn Le Drew (Man./Sask.)
Rod Therres (B.C.)

(Province in brackets represents the province where the driver raced and qualified from)

“Century Downs has played host to two Western Regionals and a leg of the World Driving Championship, and this day always brings out the competition amongst the drivers on this circuit," said Paul Ryneveld, Managing Director of Racing at Century Downs. “Let it be known as well that Western drivers have gone on to do well at the National Driving Championships and will be even more compelled to qualify for the Nationals at Century Mile this year."

Invitations were extended to drivers based on several criteria including their 2021 and 2022 win statistics in relation to their driving circuit, ability to be an outstanding Canadian harness racing ambassador and availability for the 2022 National Driving Championship and 2023 World Driving Championship.

The eight drivers will participate in eight competition races, driving from every post position. Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers will join six other drivers at the 2022 National Driving Championship (NDC) at Century Mile Racetrack in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday, Nov. 24.

The winner of the 2022 NDC will have the opportunity to represent Canada in the World Driving Championship (WDC) in Italy in 2023. 

Here are the locations and dates for the four regional events (in chronological order):

• Ontario Regional - Completed Wednesday, May 11 at The Raceway at Western Fair District - Louis-Philippe-Roy and Doug McNair advance to the NDC. 
• Western Regional (Includes drivers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) - Century Downs - Sunday, June 19 
• Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional (Includes drivers that compete regularly at Hippodrome 3R, Kawartha Downs and Rideau Carleton Raceway) - Hippodrome 3R - Sunday, June 26
• Atlantic Regional (Includes drivers from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) - Red Shores Racetrack at Charlottetown Driving Park - Saturday, July 30

Regional events will feature either eight or nine drivers who will compete in a minimum of eight races. Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two point-earners will advance to the National Driving Championship.

(Photo courtesy Caitlin Fancy / Coady Photo)