Miami Valley Raceway is pleased to introduce its first-ever driver's competition, dubbed the North America Driver's Championship.
The contest will take place over three consecutive afternoon matinee programs beginning Sunday, January 8 and ending Tuesday, January 10. The contest will pit up to 30 of the continent's winningest drivers chasing prize money totaling $25,000.
Drivers interested in participating will be asked to apply with a $300 nomination fee by December 23, 2016. If more than 30 drivers apply, the 30 with the most career victories (including a minimum of 100 in 2016) will be accepted. If more than 20 but less than 30 apply, the top 20 winners will be accepted for the contest.
The nomination fee includes not only a chance to compete against many of the continent's best known successful drivers for $25,000 in prize money, but also up to three nights’ accomodations at a nearby hotel for out-of-state drivers, a complimentary dinner at Miami Valley's reknowned Cin City gourmet restaurant following the races on Monday, January 9, and each driver's required 2017 Ohio State Racing Commission license fees.
In the event more drivers apply than can be accommodated in the tournament, the entire nomination fee will be returned to those applicants whose number of career victories did not secure a spot.
The championship will consist of up to 12 races on both Sunday and Monday, with each driver getting four mounts each day. The top ten point-getters following the two days of preliminary races will return for the Tuesday title round, which will consist of eight races and a fresh scoreboard.
Points will be awarded as follows: 30 points for a win, 20 points for a second, 14 for a show finish, then 11-9-7-5-3-1-0 for fourth through tenth. A driver whose horse is a late scratch will be awarded 8 points in the two preliminary rounds only.
The $25,000 prize money will be awarded to the ten finalists as follows:
$10,000 for first
$5,000 for second
$3,000 for third
$2,000 for fourth
$1,500 for fifth
$1,250 for sixth
$1,000 for seventh
$750 for eighth
$500 for ninth
In addition to the prize money, all drivers will keep their customary five per cent driver's commissions for all of their mounts. Purses for the races used in the North America Driver's Championship will be enhanced by 10 per cent on Sunday and Monday; with the championship races on Tuesday boosted by 20 per cent. Owners of horses that finish sixth through tenth in every contest race over the three-day competition will receive $200 for their participation.
Potential contest races will be designated on the initial Miami Valley condition sheet, which will be published approximately December 15. Both post positions and driver assignments will be drawn randomly by the judges throughout the competition.
Applications to participate will be available to drivers on the Miami Valley website by December 1. Earlier inquiries are welcome via email to: [email protected].
(Miami Valley Raceway)