Campbell’s Riding The Wave

Brandon Campbell has been riding the wave for the past year and his successful 2010 campaign has paved the way for the 27-year-old Calgary native to take part in the 2011 National Driving Championship

at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday, May 7.

Campbell was invited to take part in the Western Regional event at Fraser downs after a career best 2010 campaign, which saw him top the charts for all drivers in wins in Alberta, beating out veteran kingpins like Keith Clark, Gerry Hudon and Kelly Hoerdt. In total, Campbell drove 145 winners and horses to over $750,000 in purse money during 2010.

When asked about what contributed to his success, Campbell , who has only been driving since 2003, attributed it to “some luck and a lot of supporters who gave me a chance.”

His runner-up finish to Dave Hudon in the Western Regional Driving Championship hosted at Fraser Downs on Saturday, February 26 secured him a spot in the NDC.

“I’m thrilled to death to take part,” Campbell told Trot Insider. “ I watched the 2009 NDC at Fraser and I watched Gilles (Barrieau) win in 2007. I’ve always wanted to take part in this event and now I’ve actually got the chance. It’s an honour to be in the field alongside all of these awesome drivers including Jody Jamieson whom I’ve watched forever.”

Even though Campbell qualified in the Western Regional event, he has some strong ties to the Maritimes. His father, Sanford Campbell, his biggest mentor in his racing career, was raised in a house situated right behind the Charlottetown Driving Park grandstand. His cousins still live there and they’ll be out to show their support along with his Mom and two sisters who reside in Halifax. His father, and step-Mom will be making the trip from Calgary to PEI so Brandon will have his own cheering section on-site. “This is the first time I’ll see my whole family all together, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

In the meantime, the next few days are hectic for Campbell as he leaves his home in Alberta and relocates to Ontario over the weekend. He has two horses being shipped here and he’s going to try his luck driving on the Ontario Circuit. He’ll arrive in Ontario over the weekend before heading to Charlottetown next week.

Campbell admits the move is bittersweet. “It’s tough now that I’m leaving because I’ve been doing so well here. I’m one of the top drivers and I’m going to give it all up to see what happens. There are too many breaks in the Alberta racing schedule and I’m tired of living like a gypsy. I don’t want to look back and wonder if I should have made the move so I’m doing it and we’ll see what happens. “

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 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the grandstand.