Raceway’s Drivers’ Holiday Challenge is back

London, ON – November 15, 2023 — One of the most anticipated harness racing days of the season, the 4^th Annual Drivers’ Holiday Challenge in support of Toys For Tots, returns to The Raceway at Western Fair District on Sunday, December 10th with a new twist.

James MacDonald and Tyler Borth, who sit one-two in Canada this season for wins, will each captain a team of four, including veterans Dan Clements and Paul MacKenzie who will each co-captain a team. The four drivers who will round out this year’s lineup include defending champion Nat Day as well as Jason Ryan, Daryl Thiessen and Garrett Rooney.

MacDonald and Borth will have a mini-draft to select the drivers who will compete on their respective teams which will be aired on The Raceway’s social media channels.

Fans and racing participants can take part by donating new, unwrapped toys at the following locations: Wilson’s Tack (warehouse location & Western Fair paddock), The Raceway Lounge and Top Of The Fair Restaurant.

Horse owner Kelley McNiven is also excited to be involved with the event again this season and will be helping with the event co-ordination, including setting up a drop-off location at Flamboro Downs’ Mare Flare tack shop.

Those who wish to donate money can also do so via E-transfer to mcnivenk2@gmail.com while cash donations can be made to Kelly McNiven, Kim McNiven and Amy O’Toole. Everyone who donates a toy or money will receive a ballot for a chance to one of two gift cards from Britts Custom Creations and Twinbrook Farms and or a “buxton browband set” compliments of Mare Flare Equestrian.

Toys For Tots (Canada) is a Canadian charity based on local partnerships between Canadian Armed Forces, businesses and concerned citizenry whose sole focus as an organization is to provide toys for children who are in need. Toys For Tots works to address and prevent specific problems faced by families and their supporting charity organizations by providing toys to children who would otherwise go without during a major religious holiday and provide toys throughout the calendar year to local emergency and social agencies to distribute to children during catastrophic circumstances.

In its three years the Drivers’ Holiday Challenge has raised more than $35,000 for the local organization.

The competing drivers will all be represented by sponsors and sponsorships are also available for all races during the competition as well as team Borth and Team MacDonald sponsors, with all proceeds going to Toys for Tots. Anyone interested in sponsoring a race should email Amy O’Toole at aotoole@westernfairdistrict.com

Fans are reminded of the special afternoon post time for this year’s edition of 12:55 p.m. and reservations for the Top Of The Fair dining room can be made at www.topofthefair.ca. For more event details, be sure to visit here.

by Greg Blanchard, for The Raceway