Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park, on Prince Edward Island, will be the host track for the 2014 edition of the National Driving Championship.

The event is being hosted with the support of the PEI 2014 Fund as part of the 150th Anniversary celebration of the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference that led to the creation of our nation.

The NDC will take place on Tuesday, August 26 in conjunction with a meeting of all of the province’s Premiers who will be on hand for the event.

“It will be an honour to host the National Driving Championship in conjunction with the Council of the Federation," said Wes Sheridan, Minister Responsible for Harness Racing. “Events like this, as well as the recent success of the O’Brien Awards here on Prince Edward Island, provide an opportunity for us to showcase our vibrant harness racing industry and the partnerships that make it so strong.”

“The hosting of this year's NDC will provide a unique opportunity to showcase harness racing to all of our provincial leaders,” said Standardbred Canada President and CEO John Gallinger.

The top two drivers from four regional championships will make up the field of eight finalists for the National Driving Championship. The winner will represent Canada in the World Driving Championship, to be hosted in concert with the World Trotting Conference in Australia in March, 2015.

Host tracks for the Regional Driving Championships have yet to be confirmed.

“We are very excited to host the National Driving Championship and it will be one of the marquis events on our racing calendar,” said Red Shores Race Experience Manager Adam Walsh.

“This format and the events have been very well received across the country and in the past each regional event was a major event of the racing season for the host track. The participation and co-operation of the racetracks and horsemen’s groups were a critical element to the success of all of the past Regional and National Driving Championship events,” commented Standardbred Canada’s Industry Marketing Manager Kathy Wade Vlaar.

The National Driving Championship is one of hundreds of events that the Island's year-long celebration in 2014 will host.