HOBART reinsman Nathan Ford will head this week to participate in the 2011 Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship in Christchurch.
Originally scheduled to run concurrently with the Inter Dominion, the series will now coincide with the Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels after being postponed in the wake of the earthquakes that rocked Auckland in February.
Since 1982, the series has proven to be a springboard on which many young drivers have been catapulted into the limelight.
The series has unearthed drivers such as John Caldow, Chris Lewis, Anthony Butt and Tony Herlihy, to name but a few.
Ford has been one of Tasmania’s best reinsmen for many years but he also has taken to training with almost immediate success and the new arrow in his quiver makes him the complete horseman.
“This series will give me the opportunity to compete at the highest level against drivers from all Australian states and both islands of New Zealand,” Ford said.
“It is a privilege to represent your state in any sport and to be given that honour is something special.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this trip for some time so I can hardly wait to get there and start competing,” he said.
Ford arrives in Christchurch on Wednesday and heads to Forbury Park the following day for the first round of heats.
Addington hosts the second leg the following day before the Championship concludes at Ashburton on Monday June 6.
Draw for the first five races in the seven-race series – CLICK HERE.