Differences In Racing In The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany

World Driving Championship host country flags

Each variable at the 2023 World Driving Championship racetracks (Victoria Park, Gelsen Trab Park, Hippodrome de Wallonie and Trabennbahn Marendorf) influences the nature of the racing, the average speeds, and the strategy involved, making each track a distinct challenge for the 2023 world drivers. 

Ten drivers from around the world will compete in 20 races across four different racetracks in three countries for the 2023 World Driving Championship title. The first leg will take place at Victoria Park Wolvega in the Netherlands on Sunday, Aug. 13. GelsenTrabPark in Gelsenkirchen, Germany will host the second leg on Tuesday, Aug. 15. On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the World Driving Championship moves to Belgium for the third leg at Hippodrome de Wallonie in Mons. After a one-day break, the 2023 World Driving Champion will be crowned on Friday, Aug. 18 after the final races at Trabrennbahn Mariendorf in Berlin. Each leg will include five races.

Standardbred Canada went researching to share with you the differences between each track in the 2023 World Driving Championship. 

Track Victoria Park, Wolvega GelsenTrabPark Hippodrome de Wallonie Trabrennbahn Mariendorf
Country The Netherlands Germany Belgium Germany
Track Size

1,000 metres (.62 miles)

Counter clockwise

1,200 metres (.74 miles)

Clockwise

1,082 metres (.67 miles)

Counter clockwise

1,200 metres (.74 miles)

Clockwise

Common Race Distances 2,100 metres (1.3 miles) 2,000 metres (1.24 miles) 2,300 metres (1.4 miles) 1,900 metres (1.18 miles)

Field Size

(# of horses in a race)

10

Max. 16, 8 per row

Max. 16, 8 per row

 Max. 16, 8 per row

Race Start

(mobile or standing)

Mobile Mobile Mobile Mobile

Horse Gait

(pacers, trotters)

Trotters Trotters Trotters Trotters
Signature Races Race of the Giants/Prijs der Giganten Bild-Pokal, St. Leger Grand Prix de Wallonie, Darby Deutsches Traber-Derby, Breeders Crown
Race Cards In A Year 52 30 40 32

 

At which track are you most excited for Doug McNair, Canada’s representative for the World Driving Championship, to drive? Share your comments below.

Comments

I have been watching Doug race ever since he started and have watched him develope into one of the best drivers in the sport. I am confident that Doug will represent us well no matter what sized track he drives on or the distance of the races they have at the host track in the World Driving Championship. Hopefully our man draws well.

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