by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Paris, France — The day belonged to Italy’s Enrico Bellei, but the World Driving Championship belongs to France’s Pierre Vercruysse.

Bellei won the only heat contested on the final day at l’Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes, but not until the Frenchman had already gathered enough points to defeat 11 other top drivers in the sport’s most prestigious driving competition.

USTA/John Pawlak photo

A happy Pierre Vercruysse (third from left in the top row) is exultant as he accepts the 2013 World Driving Championship trophy in the company of his fellow competitors in the l’Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes winner’s circle on Saturday.

“When I was a little boy I dreamed of being a champion driver,” Vercruysse said following the winner’s circle ceremony. “Now I am a champion and have only yet to win a Prix d’Amerique to make all my dreams come true.”

The U.S. representative, Jason Bartlett, slipped from sixth to eighth on the final day, but had victories in two of the 20 races in the Championship to press in his memory book.

“It was a wonderful trip and I learned a lot about racing here and about French trotters,” Bartlett said. “I would say to anyone, if you have a chance to come to France to see racing, do it.”

Canada’s Trevor Henry, who subbed for defending champion Jody Jamieson, finished 12th in the field.

Vercruysse made it clear he will defend his title in 2015, in Australia.

“Write that (airplane) ticket right now,” he said with a broad smile on his face.

Here are the final standings in the 2013 World Driving Championship: 1. Pierre Vercruysse (France) 221; 2. Bjorn Goop (Sweden) 173; 3, Eirik Hoitomt (Norway) 158; 4. Mika Forss (Finland) 153; 5. Antonio Frontera-Pocovi (Spain) 141; 6. Gerhard Mayr (Austria) 141; 7. Enrico Bellei (Italy) 141; 8. Jason Bartlett (USA) 139; 9. Rene Kjaer (Denmark) 133; 10. David Butcher (New Zealand) 116; 11. Neil Day (Australia) 96; 12. Trevor Henry (Canada) 87.