Representatives of the U.S. Trotting Association, Yonkers Raceway and horseman’s organizations in New York and Maine are going to be on hand Friday, May 1, as Jason Bartlett receives his colours for the upcoming World Driving Championship.
Bartlett, who was Yonkers’ leading driver in 2008, began this week ranked eighth in North America in 2009 races won (187). He is to receive a custom set of driving colours and a matching helmet, as well as special gifts from the Standardbred Owners Association of New York and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association.
Bartlett begins his international competition May 14 in Bergen, Norway, for the opening round of the World Driving Championship. There, he opposes drivers representing nine other countries in the oldest, richest and most prestigious driving competition in the world. The series encompasses 20 races at five different Norwegian racetracks, culminating May 20 in Oslo.
Bartlett's colours were chosen by racing fans who participated in an online poll sponsored by the U.S. Trotting Association, and were crafted by Irv and Vic Sportswear in Yonkers, The drivers that participate in the WDC wear their country’s colours instead of their own, and the winner receives $20,000, the equivalent of the amount a driver would receive for winning an $800,000 race.
The World Driving Championship began in 1970 and has been won previously by three drivers representing the United States: Joe Marsh Jr. (1974), Ron Pierce (1989) and Dave Magee (1995). It is to be contested in the United States in 2011.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” Bartlett said. “This is a big honour, something I could have only dreamed about doing in the past.”
The 28-year-old Bartlett, a native of Augusta, Maine, was a former small-college All-American basketball player. He finished fifth in the point standings for the prestigious Harness Tracks of America Driver of the Year Award this past year. Bartlett is to be joined in the winner's circle for Friday night's presentation by his wife, Kristen, and son, Kobe.
Yonkers Raceway is proud of Bartlett's accomplishments and wish him much success in the competition.
(Yonkers)
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