Chris Alford
Nine time national leading driver and J. D. Watts Award winner Chris Alford, was today announced by the Harness Racing Australia (HRA) Executive as Australia's representative at the 2015 World Driving Championship (WDC) to be held in New South Wales from 21 February to 1 March 2015.
This will be Alford's second appearance in a WDC, having competed in Germany in 1997 where he placed 7th overall.
"It is a privilege to represent your country and I'm honored to have another opportunity at this level," said a thrilled Alford. "It's going to be a very competitive series given the depth, experience and performance records of the other drivers. That said, I'm looking forward to the challenge and testing my skills against the world's best on home soil."
HRA also announced inaugural Australian Driving Champion, Peter McMullen, as the travelling reserve driver to cover any scenario in which a driver in the Series is unable to take their place in any Heat.
McMullen is poised to be the youngest Australian driver to reach the 1000 winner milestone and this announcement is recognition of his outstanding talent and an investment in his continued development.
"The Executive are thrilled to appoint Chris and Peter to such important ambassadorial roles for our industry," said HRA Chairman, Mr Geoff Want. "We all know they are both great talents on the track, but beyond that, we are confident they will represent Australia with distinction in all activities surrounding the Championship."
The HRA announcement completes the competitor list:
|
Name
|
Country
|
|
Pierre Vercruysse
|
France (Defending Champion)
|
|
Chris Alford
|
Australia
|
|
Jody Jamieson
|
Canada
|
|
Knud Mönster
|
Denmark
|
|
Tony le Beller
|
France
|
|
Hugo Langeweg Jnr
|
Netherlands
|
|
Dexter Dunn
|
New Zealand
|
|
Vidar Hop
|
Norway
|
|
Björn Goop
|
Sweden
|
|
Tim Tetrick
|
United States of America
|
|
Peter McMullen
|
Australia - Travelling Reserve
|
These 10 drivers will compete in 20 Heats across seven race meetings at six tracks in New South Wales:
Saturday, 21 February - Tabcorp Park Menangle - 2 Heats
Sunday, 22 February - Newcastle - 3 Heats
Monday, 23 February - Goulburn - 3 Heats
Tuesday, 24 February - Wagga - 4 Heats
Wednesday, 25 February - Bathurst - 4 Heats
Thursday, 26 February - Penrith - 3 Heats
Sunday, 1 March - Tabcorp Park Menangle - 1 Heat (Tab.com Inter Dominion Grand Final)
Since 1970, the WDC has brought some of the world's best drivers together every second year in a unique test of driving skill and horsemanship. Norwegian driver Ulf Thoresen is the all-time leader with four Championships to his name (1973, 1977, 1979, 1981). The only other multiple winners are German, Heinz Wewering (1993, 1997), and Canadian, Jody Jamieson (2001, 2011) who is chasing a third win in the 2015 Championship.
For further information contact Andrew Kelly on 03 9227 3000.
