The Ultimate Driver Championship

The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship is more than a quest to find the world’s top driver. It’s a contest, a game of strategy, and a chance to win big, with over $250,000 up for grabs. This thrilling new slot racing series sees ten of the world's best harness drivers battling it out in a 20-race series across two feature nights at Albion Park on February 21 - 22, 2025.

The unique series has slot holders selecting both the drivers and horses to compete in the slots across the 20 races. Of the ten slots, nine were available for purchase at $20,000 each, with the Championship sponsor Ladbrokes taking the remaining slot. Applications for slots closed on 31 July 2024, and those selected now prepare for the event.

Slot holders are currently negotiating with leading drivers in Australia or overseas. Drivers must be A-grade or equivalent, with arrangements for the driver's services made between the slot holder and the driver. After securing a driver, slot holders will choose which horse their driver partners with via a 'snake order draft', ensuring fairness and competitiveness.

Slot holders earn points throughout the 20 races based on their driver's performance, with the top slot holder and their driver winning the first prize of $100,000. Slot holders also receive $1,000 for each race winner.

The series promises to attract global interest, with endorsements from top drivers like Tim Tetrick and Jody Jamieson, who praise its innovative approach and potential to boost harness racing's popularity. The Ultimate Driver Championship is set to be a spectacular showcase of talent and strategy, bringing the world’s best drivers to compete at Albion Park.

SLOT INFORMATION

BUY YOUR SLOT (COMPLETED)

In total, there will be 10 slot holders, nine available for purchase at $20,000 each, with Championship sponsor Ladbrokes filling the remaining slot. Slot applications can be made by syndicates (five or more), businesses, or individuals. A selection panel made up of RQ and Albion Park Harness Racing Club representatives will determine slot holders in line with the below selection criteria should there be more applicants than slots available.

Key Selection Criteria

• Eligibility as per the Terms and Conditions;
• Syndicates will be preferred to help maximise engagement providing they meet the other criteria;
• Promotional value the Applicant will contribute to both the event and harness racing in Queensland.

CHOOSE YOUR DRIVER

Once a slot holder has paid the fee, they are free to negotiate with leading drivers either in Australia or overseas (must be an A-grade driver or equivalent). The arrangement is purely between the slot holder and the driver.

THE CONCEPT

THE FIELDS

Race fields for the series will be collated in the same manner as any other driver series where trainers nominate their horses without a driver assigned. To maximise fields and competitiveness, all races will be penalty-free with advertised prize money distributed to owners and trainers as per usual.

DRAFT

Following race fields being collated, slot holders will get the chance to choose which horses their driver is partnered with via a draft. For fairness, the draft will be conducted as a ‘snake order draft’, with slot holders able to choose any of the available horses left across the 20 races until all drivers/slot holders are assigned to a horse in each race.

THE RACE

Be there to cheer on your driver with Ladbrokes (pit) lane set up for slot holders to entertain guests. Slot holders will receive points throughout the 20 races (depending on where their driver places in each race), with the slot holder/driver who accrues the most points declared the winner.

PLACING & PRIZE MONEY