On Tuesday, August 26, eight of Canada’s best drivers will compete in eight races during a single card of racing. One man will claim victory and the honour of representing Canada on the world driving stage in Australia next year. The question is, who?
The field for the 2014 National Driving Championship is now confirmed as the Atlantic Regional Driving Championship held on Saturday night at Summerside Raceway determined the final two drivers. The eight drivers have qualified in their respective regional events and will be congregating in Prince Edward Island to battle it out for the National Driving Championship title and a trip to the 2015 World Driving Championship. Standardbred Canada will present this event at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Let’s take a look at the field.
Two-time World Driving Champion Jody Jamieson of Moffat, Ont., is the morning line favourite, having earned his spot with a victory in the Ontario Regional on May 9 at The Raceway at Western Fair District. Runner-up Billy Davis Jr. who now makes his home in Guelph, Ont., is no newcomer to foreign racing circuits, having represented Canada in the 2012 Prix des Rencontres Internationales de Trotteur Francais in France, and bringing home another win for Canada.
Overseas driving experience gives these two an advantage, but don’t underestimate the competition. The best in each region have earned the right to compete and each is ready to drive away with the National Driving Championship title under their belt.
Trekking the furthest of the field, Western Regional competitors Brandon Campbell, of Calgary, Alta. and Jim Marino, of Surrey, B.C., are both hoping to return with more than air miles. Campbell dominated in the WRDC, hosted at Fraser Downs on April 26, finishing the card with a 27 point lead on runner-up Marino, who is a first time competitor in the NDC. This will be Campbell’s second appearance in the NDC as he qualified for the main event two years ago.
The Quebec/Eastern Ontario Region sends Sylvain Lacaille, of Repentigny, Que. and Guy Gagnon, of Gatineau, Que. to the Island. Lacaille, who was runner-up in the QEORDC will be looking to clinch a victory in the final after qualifying two years ago. Gagnon, who competed in the 2007 NDC, secured his spot with a single point victory in the QEORDC.
Hometown favourite Marc Campbell, of Charlottetown, P.E.I., and winner of the Atlantic Regional event held on Saturday at Summerside Raceway, also took part in the 2009 NDC. He will be looking to win on home soil, making a victory just that much sweeter. Nova Scotia’s Ryan Ellis, runner-up in the ARDC, is a regular driver at Truro Raceway and is looking forward to taking part in his first NDC.
2014 marks the third time that Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park has hosted the National Driving Championship. They were also the host track partner in 2011 and 2007.
The 55th Annual Premiers Conference is also being held on the Island during the week of the NDC and the Premiers will be attending the NDC, which is funded in part by PEI 2014 Fund.
The 2015 World Driving Championship in Australia will take place from February 21st to March 1st with 20 races conducted across seven tracks.