The field for the 2016 Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship, scheduled for Tuesday, July 12 at Hippodrome 3R has been confirmed.
The participating drivers are:
-
Jacques Beaudoin (Rideau Carleton Raceway)
-
Pascal Berube (Hippodrome 3R)
-
Gord Brown (Kawartha Downs)
-
Guy Gagnon (Rideau Carleton Raceway)
-
Sylvain Lacaille (Hippodrome 3R)
-
Gaetan Lamy (Hippodrome 3R)
-
Brett MacDonald (Rideau Carleton Raceway)
-
Louis Philippe Roy (Rideau Carleton Raceway)
Invitations were extended to drivers based on several criteria, including either 2015 or 2016 statistics on their circuit.
“This promises to be an extremely exciting and competitive drivers’ challenge,” commented Vincent Trudel, General Manager at 3R. “We have just hosted a very successful All-Star Drivers Tournament, which drew a huge crowd. Our fans love these types of events and we look forward to having another driving competition, this time featuring many of our local drivers.”
Hippodrome 3R in Trois Rivieres, Que. is hosting the Quebec Regional event for the third time after serving as host track in 2014 and 2008.
In 2014, Guy Gagnon squeaked out a one-point victory over fellow reinsman Sylvain Lacaille in the Quebec/Eastern Ontario Regional at Hippodrome 3R, thanks to a three-win performance in the event.
Gagnon also won the 2008 event at Sulky Trois Rivieres with Daniel Potvin taking the runner-up spot.
Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers from the eight-race competition will join six other drivers at the 2016 National Driving Championship scheduled for Friday, October 14 at The Raceway at Western Fair District, in London, Ontario.
The drivers had to confirm their availability for the National Driving Championship date and the World Driving Championship dates in order to take part in the Regional Driving Championship
The winner of the NDC will represent Canada in harness racing's 2017 World Driving Championship, hosted by Standardbred Canada in concert with the World Trotting Conference in August.