Standardbred Canada (SC) revealed its latest modification to the National Driving Championship (NDC) on Wednesday, March 6, potentially expanding the field from eight to nine drivers.
As of now, starting from 2024 and for all forthcoming National Driving Championships, the driver who most recently represented Canada in the World Driving Championship (WDC) will automatically secure a spot in the NDC. This new directive mirrors the World Driving Championship's policy, where the defending champion gains an automatic entry into the WDC.
Should the invitation be accepted, the NDC lineup will see an increase to nine drivers, up from the previous eight. The top two performers from each of the Atlantic, Eastern Ontario/Quebec, Ontario, and Western Regional events will complete the nine-driver roster.
Jade Regina, Manager of Industry and Stakeholder Relations, remarked,
“This new regulation acknowledges the commitment and efforts of our World Driving Championship representative. By expanding the NDC field to nine drivers, we aim to enhance the level of competition, elevate the wagering experience, and deliver an even more thrilling spectacle for our fans, both this year and in the years ahead.”
The introduction of this new rule means the driver directly invited to the NDC will no longer need to vie for a spot in a Regional Driving Championship, freeing up an additional spot for another driver.
Doug McNair, the Canadian representative at the 2023 World Driving Championship and the reigning champion of the 2022 National Driving Championship in Edmonton, Alberta, has received an invitation to participate in the 2024 National Driving Championship at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, on Friday, July 5. The victor of this event will go on to represent Canada in the subsequent World Driving Championship set to take place in New Zealand in 2025.