"Last time at London I missed by one point. It will bother me 'til the grass grows over me."
Three more of the eight Ontario-based drivers competing for a spot in the National Driving Championship have been interviewed by Western Fair Raceway.
Gord Brown
Q: What would it mean to you to win the Ontario Championship?
First of all this is a very deep field. I don't anticipate many mistakes. It would mean an awful lot to me. Also, last time at London I missed by one point. It will bother me till the grass grows over me.
Q: What size track do you prefer to drive on and why?
Racing at London I probably shouldn't say this, but anything but a half mile.
Q: What has been your greatest moment in your career thus far?
Nothing huge - winning a Gold Final at my home track for a great gentleman Don Lowe; winning 12 driver titles at Kawartha Downs; my track records; winning the driving title at Kawartha Downs & Rideau Carleton in the same year; training and owning part of Perfect Out in the '80s and time trialing Forrest Trillium to a world record at Lexington.
Q: Who did you idolize growing up?
I am a little older than most of the guys here, so I go back to the day of Stanley Dancer, and Bill Haughton, and of course John Campbell and Billy O.
Q: If you could drive any horse in history who would it be?
I think a lot of people would pick Somebeachsomewhere because he is so fresh in our minds, and I am no different, but I will throw in Niatross and Cam Fella as well.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the sport 10 years from now?
The way the game is going I am not so sure, but I do have a few things up my sleeve.
Q: Which do you prefer, trotters or pacers?
I would say trotters, just because I own one.
Q: How would you describe your driving style - a. laid back b. front ender c. rail hugger d. aggressive throughout e. dead closer?
I know f is not an option, but I am going to say it anyway... f. all of the above.
Q: Is there one race would you still like to win in your driving career?
The next one.
Q: If you could meet any famous person in history who would it be?
Let me start by saying stars and celebrities, and people who think they are, do not impress me. They get up in the morning and put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as you and I. Having said that, I would love to follow Donald Trump around for a day, and go out for a night on the town with Jack Nicholson, he's the coolest man in the world.
Q: What is the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Nothing really exotic, probably squid and caviar. I've always said you have to try something once to know how crappy it tastes.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you most like to visit?
In order, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Scott Coulter
Q: What made you decide to get into racing?
I grew up in it following my dad around.
Q: What would it mean to you to win the Ontario Championship?
It's a great stepping stone towards the international stage. It's a great way to become more recognized.
Q: What size track do you prefer to drive on and why?
I've had most of my experience, and therefore, success on the half milers.
Q: What has been your greatest moment in your career thus far?
I would say my season in 2005 where I was driving Lady Dillinger. She was a three-year-old pacing filly that we did really well with in the Ontario Sires Stakes and Canadian Breeders Championship
Q: Who did you idolize growing up?
My dad.
Q: If you could drive any horse in history which one would it be?
Cam Fella or Greyhound.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the sport 10 years from now?
Well, depending on how my body holds out, I'd like to still be doing what I'm doing, and hopefully keep improving.
Q: Which do you prefer trotters or pacers?
I'd have to say I like a really nice trotter.
Q: How would you describe your driving style - a. laid back b. front ender c. rail hugger d. aggressive throughout e. dead closer?
All of the above but I guess I would say I'm a laid-back, versatile driver.
Q: Is there one race you would like to win in your driving career?
The Little Brown Jug would be cool.
Q: If you could meet any famous person in history who would it be?
I can't think of anyone in particular that is famous, but if I could go back in time I'd like to spend time with my grandparents on my father's side.
Q: For the lady racing fans out there.....Married? Single? In a Relationship?
Married.
Q: What is the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Frogs Legs, in Ottawa.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you most like to visit?
Africa and New Zealand. I consider myself outdoorsy, so I would love to explore the landscape.
Trevor Henry
Q: What made you decided to get into racing?
Mostly my Dad, and because my family was involved in it.
Q: What size track do you prefer to drive?
½ miles, it's what I'm used to, and have driven most often over.
Q: What has been your greatest moment in your career thus far?
The Molson Pace [ Trevor won the Molson Pace with the longest shot on the board in 2008, Eagle Luck, beating out Pace favourites Tigerama and Zooka]
SI: That was a great upset that night, entering the race you knew it was a long shot for you to take home top prize; did you have a strategy for bringing Eagle Luck to victory lane?
TH: Not really, I would have just been happy taking home a cheque from the race.
Q: Who did you idolize growing up?
Bud Fritz [The Walkerton Wizard, who dominated the OSS Program in the 1970's and 80's]
Q: Favourite horse up to this point in your career?
Hams Delight
Q: Which do you prefer, Trotters or Pacers?
I like trotters, my family trains them mostly and we've had great luck with them.
Q: If you could meet any famous person in history, who would it be?
Wayne Gretzky
SI: That seems to be a popular answer, are you a hockey fan? Do you have a favourite team?
TH: Tampa Bay Lightning
Q; Favourite Food?
Steak
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you most like to visit?
Australia, I just want to explore the country.
The championship will kick off in Race 5 (approximately 4:50 p.m. post time) and will also include Races 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
The drivers competing in the ORDC are:
• Simon Allard
• Gord Brown
• Scott Coulter
• Trevor Henry
• Jody Jamieson
• John MacDonald
• Doug McNair
• Scott Zeron
Drivers receive points as follows:
(• Finish - Points)
• 1st - 15
• 2nd - 10
• 3rd - 7
• 4th - 5
• 5th - 4
• 6th - 3
• 7th - 2
• 8th - 1
Post time for Wednesday’s first race is 3:35 p.m.
The ORDC had initially been scheduled to take place March 11, but due to adverse winter weather conditions, officials with Western Fair Raceway were forced to cancel its card of live racing which was scheduled for that night.
To view entries for Wednesday's card of harness racing, please click the following link: Wednesday Entries - Western Fair Raceway.
Click here to print off a free program of Western Fair's entire Wednesday card, courtesy of TrackIT.
(Photos courtesy Iron Horse Photo and RaceHorse Photo)