Standardbred Canada caught up with drivers James MacDonald and Tyler Borth as they prepare for the upcoming National Driving Championship (NDC), which will take place on July 5 at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivières, Que.
MacDonald, who’s coming off three consecutive O’Brien Award-winning seasons as Driver of the Year, is no stranger to the national stage and is looking forward to competing for yet another opportunity to represent his country.
“I finished in second place once and won the championship another time,” recalled MacDonald. "It felt awesome to qualify. The NDC is a fun event, and any time there's a chance to represent Canada, it's pretty amazing. I'm hopeful that I can get the job done and represent the red and white again."
Borth, on the other hand, captured the Ontario Regional Driving Championship at The Raceway at Western Fair District back in April, in what was his first time competing in it. He’s hoping to parlay that experience into being Canada’s representative at the 2025 World Driving Championship in New Zealand.
"The Regionals were awesome because it was at one of my home tracks… The track where I got my first win,” said Borth. “It meant a lot to me, and to come out on top in my first experience was pretty special."
As they prepare for the NDC, both drivers shared what they’re looking forward to the most.
"I'm looking forward to the competition," stated MacDonald. "I love competing and seeing how it all goes. I'm hoping it will be a favourable day for me. No matter who wins, it's going to be a great day."
While Borth is eager to compete, he’s excited to embrace this experience as a whole.
"Well, I’m hoping I can win it," Borth said with a chuckle. "But I'm just looking forward to going, experiencing a different track and experience. I plan to pick Louis-Philippe Roy's brain a bit since he knows it all well."
When discussing who he believes will be his stiffest competition on July 5, MacDonald was quick to praise the field in its entirety but is partial to the two guys he lines up against on the gate regularly in Ontario.
"I think it's a great field of drivers and I don't think you can single out anyone,” said MacDonald. “Doug McNair has had great success in these challenges… He's won multiple times and steamrolled his way to represent Canada the last time, so he’s the one with the biggest target, I’d say.
“Tyler Borth is a great up-and-coming driver as well. I’m highlighting those two because they’re the ones that I race against regularly. It's a deep field and I'm hopeful I can find a way to the winner's circle a bunch of times."
Borth, like MacDonald, acknowledged that the competition will be nothing short of challenging.
"I would say the guys that have the home track advantage,” said Borth. “James and Dougie are great drivers, so they're always hard to beat no matter the setting.”
Aside from representing Canada on an international stage, winning the NDC would also give MacDonald the opportunity to visit New Zealand for the first time, something he’s been wanting to do for a while.
"I should have visited [New Zealand] when I competed in Australia,” admitted MacDonald. “We travelled with Marcus Miller's family that year, and given that we were in a big rush to come home in December, I ended up not going. Now I'm kicking myself for it because I've heard great things about New Zealand.”
Borth, too, is looking forward to potentially visiting New Zealand, albeit with some reservations.
“I’m not one for sitting still for a while,” admitted Borth. “That plane ride wouldn’t be my favourite, but it would be worth it once I get there.”
At the end of the day, the ultimate goal for the two Ontario reinsmen remains clear: to don Canadian colours on an international stage.
"Wearing the red and white is incredible," said MacDonald with a smile. "The entire country rallies behind you. After each day when the Worlds were held in Canada, I would receive around 200 text messages, per day. The whole industry watches and cheers you on. It's a lot of fun and an amazing experience."
For Borth, representing his country would encapsulate all of the hard work and dedication that has gotten him to this point.
"It would mean the absolute world to me [to represent Canada]. It makes you appreciate all the hard work to get to that point. It’d be a cool experience to get there."
As the NDC draws near, the possibility of representing Canada is what’s driving Ontario representatives Tyler Borth and James MacDonald.
Join Standardbred Canada in Trois-Rivières at Hippodrome 3R for the 2024 National Driving Championship on July 5.
(Standardbred Canada)