World Drivers Championship coming to New Zealand

For the first time New Zealand will be the sole host of the World Drivers’ Championship later this year.

Representing 10 different countries, the championships will be held at four venues – Kaikoura, Cambridge, Winton and Addington from November 2-11.

“It’s an exceptional opportunity to showcase our sport and to show New Zealand off to the world,” says Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Brad Steele.

“And the fact we have never been the only host before makes it even better.”

Adding to the occasion the final heat will be held on IRT New Zealand Cup day at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11.

“It’s on the bucket list for many to drive on our biggest day at Addington so this will be super special – the best drivers here with a world title on the line,” says Steele.

“It doesn’t get much better!”

Australia and New Zealand have been the joint hosts on five occasions, the most recent being 2007.

On two of those occasions New Zealand drivers won with Tony Herlihy triumphing in 1985 and Maurice McKendry in 1991.

Other New Zealand winners since the first championship in 1970 have been :

Dexter Dunn (2015)
Mark Jones (2003)
Robert Cameron (1983)
Kevin Holmes (1978)

New Zealand’s representative at the championship will be announced on Saturday, April 19. Blair Orange wore the silver fern at the last championship in Europe in 2023.

The defending champion is two-time winner Rick Ebbinge, from the Netherlands.

“We have a number of exciting initiatives planned to really bring the event to life and we cannot wait,” says Steele.

Schedule:
November 2 and 3 : Kaikoura
November 5 : Cambridge
November 7 : Addington
November 9 : Winton
November 11 : Addington

From Harness Racing New Zealand