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.
Go Get Em Doug
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.