The field of eight drivers has been confirmed for the 2018 Western Regional Driving Championship, which will take place at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino on Saturday, June 23.
Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that the following drivers will take part: (where they qualified is in brackets)
Paul Davies (BC)
Phil Giesbrecht (AB)
Jamie Gray (AB)
Kelly Hoerdt (AB)
Dave Hudon (BC)
David Kelly (AB)
Jim Marino (BC)
Mitch Rey (MB)
Invitations were extended to the top three drivers by wins for the Fraser Downs fall meet which kicked off in October and ended on April 14.
Michel Rey was extended an invitation as he finished second in the 2017 Manitoba driver standings (the leading driver was not able to attend) while the four Alberta drivers were the leading drivers, by wins, for Century Downs’ current meet through Sunday, June 10.
“Century Downs is once again very pleased to be part of the World Driving Championship process,” said Jackson Wittup, Race Secretary for Century Downs. “I believe these events are special for the smaller tracks across Canada and we know that two drivers will represent Western Canada at the National Driving Championship at Grand River in September. With the new racetrack (Century Mile) opening next year in the Edmonton area we are hoping we will be more involved with these types of events.”
The eight drivers will participate in eight competition races, driving from every post position. Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers will join six other drivers at the 2018 National Driving Championship (NDC) at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, September 26.
The winner of the 2018 NDC will have the opportunity to represent Canada in the World Driving Championship (WDC), and join 2017 World Driving Champion, James MacDonald, in the 2019 WDC in Sweden.
Here are the locations and dates for the three remaining regional events (in chronological order):
► Western Regional (Includes drivers from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba)
Century Downs -- Saturday, June 23
► Atlantic Regional (Includes drivers from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
Truro Raceway -- Friday, June 29
► Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional (Includes drivers that compete regularly at Kawartha Downs and Rideau Carleton Raceway in addition to Hippodrome 3R)
Kawartha Downs -- Saturday, June 30
Trevor Henry and Louis-Philippe Roy finished first and second in the Ontario Regional Driving Championship, hosted on Wednesday, May 16 at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and advance to the NDC.