Gilles Barrieau, the winner of the 2007 National Driving Championship, is “pumped” and ready for action in this year’s NDC
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2011 marks the third time for the NDC and Barrieau is the only driver to take part in all three events. In 2009, Barrieau won his Atlantic Regional Championship and finished third at the NDC hosted at Fraser Downs. This time around, the winner of close to 3,400 races and $6 million lifetime in purse money, finished as runner up to Ken Arsenault in the Atlantic Regional event to earn his coveted position in the 2011 NDC field.
“I’m hearing a lot of buzz and talk about the NDC, more so than in past years,” explained Barrieau from his home in Saint John, N.B. “I’m pumped for it because the World Championship is right in our backyard; we know the driving style, the tracks, the race distances, the rules and the calibre of horses that will make up the competition.”
The World Driving Championship will be held at various tracks in the United States this summer.
Barrieau traveled to Australia and New Zealand to represent Canada in the 2007 World Driving Championship. “There were a lot of unknowns there. They have different rules, different distances...everything was so different than what I was used to here. Still, it was the thrill of a lifetime to compete for my country and to see different parts of the world that I otherwise would not have the chance to see.”
In terms of the caliber of drivers for this year’s event, Barrieau feels it’s a very competitive group and that “everyone is up to the challenge and from what I hear, really excited to take part. I think it’s going to be a lot tougher competition this time around.”
When asked about his chances, Barrieau commented, “It’s out of my control; it’s all about horsepower, racing luck and the draw. I like the format of the event. I think it’s the greatest system we could have for an event like this."
Drivers will start from every post position and receive points based on their finishing position.
The 2011 National Driving Championship takes place on Saturday, May 7 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. Racing starts at 6 p.m. The drivers will be on hand for a “Meet and Greet” autograph session from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the grandstand.
For more information on the NDC, click here.