Tom Williams, a businessman from Charlotte, N.C., has been named harness racing's national Amateur Driver of the Year.

Williams, whose company Market Ready Contractors deals in the home foreclosures market, was chosen over several other worthy candidates.

An avid amateur driver since 1999, this past season his triumphs in the C.K.G. Billings Midwest Regional Final at Balmoral Park followed by a decisive victory in the $25,000 Delvin Miller Amateur Driving Championship Gold Cup Final at the Meadowlands were major contributors to him winning the award.

His driving stats for 2008 were impressive: four wins, four seconds and three thirds from only 15 starts, good for a Universal Driver Rating of .481. For his career, Williams has 57 wins, 38 seconds and 23 thirds in 214 drives, and a UDRS of .401.

"Much of my success can be attributed to the many trainers and owners in the business who, over the years, have been trusting enough to allow me to drive their horses," said Williams.

"In 2001, I won the Billings Midwest Points Championship and the Midwest Regional Final as well as the Billings Gold Cup Final, all with a horse named Bye Tsem, which I owned jointly with Mark O'Mara."

During the 2007 campaign, Williams had a great year and despite winning the Midwest Points Championship and the Billings Overall Points Championship, he lost the National Amateur crown to Dave Siegel, who also had an outstanding season, driving almost exclusively in California.

"This year my starts in the Billings Series were limited to 15 as I was busy changing careers," said Williams. "However, I made the most of those starts to finish in the top 10 in points in the Midwest Region and had great success in the year-ending finals."

For years, Williams has owned horses with Mark O'Mara and it was O'Mara who suggested that Williams get a driving licence, which he did in 1999 at Hoosier Downs.

According to Williams, O'Mara told him owners should sit behind a horse and really see what's going on because when you're in the driver's seat you see for yourself that they are sometimes difficult to handle and don't always respond the way you would like them to.

"Over the years I found O'Mara's advice to be accurate and I have had times when the horse I was driving didn't respond the way I wanted him to," said Williams. "When you drive you realize it's really a bit harder than it looks and you get a better perspective about what it takes to drive a winner."

For many years Williams was in the entertainment service as a regional manager for Coin Star, but now with his new business beginning to flourish, he feels he'll have more time next season to devote to his hobby of amateur driving.

"I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be honoured as 2008 Amateur Driver of the Year. I love this sport and I'm looking forward to next season," said Williams. "One thing though, I wish that more owners would get involved with amateur racing. Not only would they enjoy it but I believe they'd understand better what goes on out there (in a race)."

(John Manzi)