by Frank Salive, for Western Fair Raceway

London, ON — You can excuse Paul MacKenzie for feeling like he has the most at stake of all nine drivers competing at Western Fair Raceway in London on Friday evening (April 27) in the Ontario Region Drivers’ Title of the 2007 Canadian Drivers’ Championship.

“Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is my hometown and it would be right up there with my top career highlights to earn a spot in the Canadian final there in August,” he says. “Then would come the chance to represent Canada, but one step at a time. This should be one fantastic competition in London and it’s a real honor to be among the Ontario drivers taking part.”

It’s almost 18 years since MacKenzie re-located his operation to Flamboro Downs to become a mainstay on the Ontario scene. The man dubbed “The Charlottetown Southpaw” for his trademark of carrying his whip in his left hand has amassed over 5,600 lifetime winning drives for over C$29 million in purses. Still active as a trainer too, he’s carrying a fine .335 UTRS stat in 2007 and lifetime has over 740 training wins for over C$3.7 million.

On Friday evening in London the top two drivers will advance to the Canadian final at the legendary Prince Edward Island venue on August 9. MacKenzie will be squaring off in this intense nine race Ontario competition against Mario Baillargeon, Al Cullen, Trevor Henry, Brad Forward, Dan Clements, Gord Brown, Gerry Belanger, and Ted McDonald.

But from that list, only the name of Paul MacKenzie is on the track records to this very day in Charlottetown.

“I had some luck in the 1993 Gold Cup and Saucer with Little Black Book, who set the track record of 1:54 which still stands there,” MacKenzie recalls. “Last year I won a Gold Cup and Saucer trial in a track record of 1:51.1 with Silent Swing.

“As important as those records are, Charlottetown will always have a very special place in my heart. My parents are still there as well as two sisters. The memories I have of them trackside rooting for me, and the huge crowds they get during Old Home Week really have me motivated for Friday night.

“All of the guys in the competition are what I’d consider great drivers. Whichever of us are the pair to advance from Friday night, it’s going to take all of our skill and the hope that you can catch a break here and there as far as racing luck goes because the format makes it such a level playing field.”

For those wanting to follow along on Friday night on the simulcast or through the internet feed at www.westernfair.com in the ‘raceway and slots’ section, the eight horse fields in races 1-9 will have points awards of: 15 points (1st); 10 points (2nd); 7 points (3rd); 5 points (4th); 4 points (5th); 3 points (6th); 2 points (7th); and 1 point (8th).

In the event of a scratch, the driver receives 5 points. In the event of a dead heat, both drivers receive the finish position regular points.

Western Fair will offer extended TV coverage of the night with live pre-race interviews with the complete roster of drivers airing at approximately 7:05 p.m.

On track, there’s a ballot in Friday night’s program for the chance to win framed autographed photos of the Ontario finalist drivers, betting vouchers, cash, dinner in the Top of the Fair, and other racing merchandise prizes.

Though he says he has no shortage of motivational reasons to be at his crafty best on Friday night, MacKenzie says he particularly took note of the comments by fellow combatant Mario Baillargeon going into the event.

“When Mario said he turns 50 this July and it could be his last career chance at representing Canada and going for the World Driving Championship, I could really relate to that,” MacKenzie says. “I’m 47 now and this could be my last chance to get invited to this too.

“It’s funny, I still have a complete detailed memory of my first career driving win which was in Charlottetown by about 15 lengths with a horse named Jonesy. I’m so lucky for the long life, career, and the living I’ve been able to make since then. I expect I’ll have some flashbacks about my first win on Friday night, but have to quickly snap back into concentrating on staying in the moment since it’s so important.”

In addition to being able to wax philosophically about it all, MacKenzie couldn’t resist the chance to show that the renowned homespun wit and wisdom of Maritime Canada remains with him in Ontario.

“Let’s see, is there any other reason I’d really like to win in London on Friday night?” Paul mused. “Absolutely. I’ll take any chance I can to get home to Charlottetown for a great feed of fresh lobster. This is as good an excuse as any.”