Guy Gagnon captured the Quebec Regional Driving Championship at Sulky Trois Rivieres thanks in part to a two-win performance in the eight-race challenge.
Seven drivers found their way to victory lane throughout the back-and-forth battle, but Gagnon topped the charts with 62 points. Daniel Potvin finished second in the standings with 57 points.
Both drivers will join the top two finishers from the Ontario Regional Driving Championship - Brad Forward and Paul MacDonell - at the national competition at Fraser Downs on March 21, 2009.
The top two finishers from the Atlantic and Western Regionals will also advance to the national competition at Fraser Downs. Here are the venues and dates for the remaining regional events:
Atlantic Regional
November 8 at the CDPEC
Western Regional
December 13 at Fraser Downs
Here is a recap of tonight's Quebec Regional from Sulky Trois Rivieres:
Leg 1
Stephane Brosseau rallied from just off the pace to win with the odds-on favourite, Mistervolare, in a time of 2:05. D Gs Elpresidente (Daniel Potvin) held on to finish second after setting the pace and Protos (Pascal Berube) battled first-over and rounded out the top three.
Leg 2
Stephane Gendron rolled Mon Pitt to a 2:09 victory over a track that was listed as "muddy" with a four-second allowance for time. The even-money favourite easily drew away from runner-up Misselisabeth Star (Pascal Berube) and third-place finisher Tony Dorset (Jacques Beaudoin).
Leg 3
Sylvain Filion enjoyed his first taste of the winner's circle thanks to an off-the-pace triumph with C Lulu Etpatiguy, who got up in the final strides for the head decision. The gelding, who defeated Timetogamble (Jacques Beaudoin) and Fantasy Fling (Guy Gagnon), stopped the teletimer in 2:03.4.
Leg 4
Mario Charron marched his way into second-place in the standings thanks to a hard-fought score with pacing mare Clementine A M, who used her closing speed to post a 2:05 victory. Chief Granby (Jacques Beaudoin) was second and Wilfred (Guy Gagnon) was a distant third.
Leg 5
Guy Gagnon became the fifth different driver to win a leg of the competition, and the win moved him to the top of the standings. He took the checkered flag with Rudy Colombo in 2:02.3. Niky (Daniel Potvin) finished in the runner-up spot and Teddy Win (Stephane Gendron) rounded out the top three.
Leg 6
Daniel Potvin went coast-to-coast with Mary Zona in a time of 2:03.2, and that was more than enough to move him to the top spot in the leaderboard. Princess Saurel (Stephane Brosseau) was next best and Donven Arena (Guy Gagnon) grabbed the show dough.
Leg 7
Guy Gagnon became the first pilot to register two wins in the competition when he clicked with Yankee First Hanna in 2:04. The win moved Gagnon into the top spot with one race remaining in the event. Mr Aberdare (Stephane Brosseau) was second and Incredible Mouse (Pascal Berube) was third.
Leg 8
Pascal Berube was parked every step of the way with Fearless Finzarelli in the final leg of the event, but he managed to keep his charge alive en route to a 2:03.2 decision. Its You Not Youz (Daniel Potvin) was second and Can You Tieitinabo (Sylvain Filion) rounded out the top three.
Final Standings
1. Guy Gagnon (62 pts)
2. Daniel Potvin (57 pts)
3. Pascal Berube (54 pts)
4. Stephane Brosseau (50 pts)
5. Stephane Gendron (42 pts)
6. Jacques Beaudoin (38 pts)
7. Sylvain Filion (37 pts)
8. Mario Charron (36 pts)
To view Tuesday's results, click here.