George excited to be part of interstate challenge

Teenage concession driver George Chamouras admits he was pinching himself after receiving a call to represent Victoria in a junior drivers’ harness racing challenge.

“It will be a big thrill as well as a huge experience. But I will say that when I got off the phone I went and checked just where Young is in NSW,” he laughed.

Chamouras, 19, who comes from Kyabram, will be one of five Victorian representatives pitted against a NSW team in the annual Nic Dewar Memorial series.

Two heats will be conducted at the Young meeting this Friday (April 12) with another three rounds to be staged at Shepparton on Wednesday (April 17).

Dewar is remembered as a talented driver and horseman, who lived and breathed the sport of harness racing.

His life was tragically cut short after a single car accident in 2018, when Dewar was travelling back to Young after competing at a Shepparton meeting.

“Nic was a close friend of my brother Corey Bell so it’s pretty special to be part of the series. This will be my first time in the series and I’m really looking forward to it,” Chamouras said.

“I first started driving in 2022 and I love it. I could never see myself doing anything else and one day I’d also like to train a few of my own.

“I haven’t been driving as much this season, but the races programmed for drivers with no more than 25 wins has helped me a lot.

“For the past four months I’ve been helping out Mark (Watson) at Kyabram which has been great. I’ve also had stints with Greg Fleming and Glenn Douglas.

“When I get home, I work three with my mum Lisa (Hardy) so we’re busy.”

Joining Chamouras in the Victorian team is Abby Sanderson, fresh from a Mildura Pacing Cup victory, as well as Grace Bilney, Harry O’Neill and Tasmyn Potter.

The NSW representatives are Olivia Frisby, Jett Turnbull, James Locke, Harrison Ross and Tahlia Johnson.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink