by Anna MacLeod, Standardbred Canada

Mississauga, ON — Standardbred Canada has developed a new format to determine Canada’s representative for the World Driving Championship to be held in Australia and New Zealand starting in late October.

Traditionally determined by a formula that included earnings, wins and UDRS rating, the 2007 Canadian rep will now have to beat out 31 of the country’s finest drivers and earn the National Driving Championship title.

Four regional championships will determine eight finalists to the National Driving Championship that will be held at Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre, P.E.I., during Old Home Week.

“The idea of changing the process of determining a Canadian representative to the World Driving Championship was conceived at Standardbred Canada’s 2006 Marketing workshop,” explains Kathy Wade Vlaar, Standardbred Canada’s Manager of Industry Marketing.

“We were looking for a better way to enhance the profile and generate interest in the World Driving Championship by getting the entire country involved in selecting a Canadian representative.”

The World Driving Championship (WDC) is held every two years in conjunction with the World Trotting Conference. Herve Filion won the inaugural edition of the event in 1970 and since that time Canadians have won on two other occasions, Sylvain Filion of Quebec in 1999 and Jody Jamieson of Ontario in 2001.

The 2007 WDC will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand from Wednesday, October 31 to Friday, November 9, 2007.

Four regional events will take place throughout Canada at the following locations:

Western Region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C.)
Fraser Downs, Surrey, B.C. – Saturday, March 24, 2007

Ontario Region
Western Fair Raceway, London, Ont. – End of April, 2007

Quebec Region
Hippodrome de Montreal, Montreal, Que. – Sunday, May 27, 2007

Atlantic Region (Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick)
Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I. – End of May, 2007

The two drivers that have accumulated the most points in each region’s eight-race competition will advance to the National Driving Championship on Prince Edward Island.

“I wish to thank Standardbred Canada for selecting Charlottetown to host both the National Championship and the regional event,” stated Hon. Mitch Murphy, Provincial Treasurer. “It is another indication of the reputation Prince Edward Island has attained for its ability to host world class harness racing events.”

The top eight drivers will travel to Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre, where the National Driving Championship will highlight the official launch of the annual 2007 Old Home Week festival on Thursday, August 9. The province’s week long island tradition attracts over 100,000 visitors to CDPEC.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to host the National event,” said Lee Drake, Director of Marketing & Promotions with Harness Racing PEI Inc. “It’s a great showcase to officially launch the Old Home Week festivities.”

The winner of the National Driving Championship will have the honor of representing Canada at the 2007 World Driving Championship and a chance at over $25,000 in prize monies.