2011 World Driving Championship dates announced

The best harness drivers in the world will be coming to America in 2011 to compete in the 25th World Driving Championship. The U.S. Trotting Association, which will host the event, has announced the dates and tracks at which the historic, prestigious and rich competition will be conducted.

 

The 20-heat tournament, featuring a driver from the U.S.A. and one each from nine other countries, will be contested at Harrah’s Chester – Sunday, July 31; Tioga Downs – Monday, Aug. 1; Monticello Raceway– Wednesday, Aug. 3; Meadowlands Racetrack – Thursday, Aug. 4; Yonkers Raceway –Friday, Aug. 5.

 

The World Driving Championship was originally developed by Harness Tracks of America executive vice president Stan Bergstein, and made its debut in North America in 1970. Later that decade the tournament became an adjunct to the World Trotting Conference and is now conducted every other year in the country hosting the Conference. The US Trotting Association will host both events in 2011.

 

The USTA will also host fans from around the world. An official World Driving Championship tour will permit fans to get “up close and personal” with the drivers by joining them at a gala welcoming banquet, on sightseeing tours, toasting the victory at the awards banquet, and witnessing the 85th edition of the $1.5 million Hambletonian. Pricing and itinerary details will be announced shortly. 

 

Details about the Championship, the tour and the World Trotting Conference may be found online at http://world.ustrotting.com.

 

“Our plans are to make the Championship an event to remember,” U.S. Trotting Association executive vice president and CEO Mike Tanner said. “As in any international sporting competition, there will be lots of color and excitement. Each stop will feature the presentation of the national flags and the playing of the anthems, and a chance for fans to meet the top drivers in the world.”

 

The World Driving Championship will return to U.S. soil following a 16 year absence. It was most recently contested here in 1995, when Dave Magee, a member of harness racing’s Living Hall of Fame, won the title while representing the United States. Magee became the third U.S.-born driver to win the competition, joining Ron Pierce (1989) and Joe Marsh, Jr. (1974).

 

The field, which will vie for the Ulf Thoresen Trophy, the biggest share of the $55,000 purse and the title of World Champion, will be comprised of the defending champion, Denmark’s Birger Jørgensen; representatives to be selected by the sport’s governing bodies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States; and the top five finishers in the 2010 European Driving Championship, which will be conducted later this year in Italy. Should Jørgensen decline to defend his title, a “wild card” entry will be selected from among the nations not qualifying by the means mentioned above. (USTA)