The eight competing NDC drivers arrived in London, Ontario on Thursday afternoon in prep for tonight’s Championship event at The Raceway at The Western Fair District.
On Thursday, the drivers had the opportunity to sit through Big Sugar’s dress rehearsal at the Agriplex and have a meet and greet with the band members after.
Following that there was a tour of Labatt Brewery and then a group dinner at Toboggan, one of downtown London’s fine eating establishments, and several of the drivers also took in some of the Tom Cochrane / Big Sugar concert at the Agriplex.
On Friday morning, the drivers made a visit to SARI Therapeutic Riding Centre to meet some of the students who take part in the riding and driving programs.
Following a tour of the facility and a demonstration by a few of the students, the eight NDC drivers competed in the first ever SARI Cup and each had a turn driving a miniature horse (Tinker or Belle) around an obstacle course in an arena. Guy Gagnon and Corey MacPherson were the victors in their respective divisions.
Staff and students in the SARI program will be on hand at The Raceway tonight to lead several of the NDC post parades with the miniature horses.
Later this afternoon, the drivers will head over to The Raceway for group photos and then they will be in lobby area from 6:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. to meet racing fans and help out with the NDC hat giveaway sponsored by Ontario Racing before they take to the racetrack for the eight-race competition.