There was a real buzz in the air when ten of the world’s best harness racing drivers came to Central Southland Raceway in Winton to contest a round of the World Driving Championship on Sunday.

Drivers representing Italy, USA, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Germany, France, Finland and New Zealand – represented by seven-time New Zealand champion Blair Orange vied for points over four heats on the day.

On track it was Jaap Van Rijn of the Netherlands who had the best day of the international drivers.

Coming into the round eighth in the points Van Rijn won the VetSouth Equine WDC Heat 16, the SBSR / Diamond Creek Farm WDC Heat 18 and the Ultra-Scan Western Southland WDC Heat 19 giving him wins in three of the four heats.

Those success propelled him into third place overall at the conclusion of the round behind Canadian James MacDonald and Australian Gary Hall Jnr.

The championship was due to move onto Addington on NZ Cup Day on Tuesday of this week for the final heat of the championship. New Zealand’s Blair Orange left Winton fourth in the points.

Pierre Vercruysse of France was the other heat winner on Sunday in the Night ‘N Day Winton WDC Heat 17.

WDC0949: Drivers sign autographs during the Fan Zone activity during Sunday’s WDC 25 racing at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Sunday. Credit: Monica Toretto Photography.

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The Winton Harness Racing Club turned it on for the event with the visiting drivers and their entourage arriving by bus to be greeted by Club President Ian Goodman before being piped onto the course.

They proved hugely popular throughout the day posing for plenty of photos with fans both young and old while a special Fan Zone activity during the day saw plenty of posters distributed and autographs obtained.

The Fashion In The Field Competition supported by Forsyth Barr Investment Specialists, Impress Boutique, Country Jewel, Mitre 10 Winton and Southern Discoveries was won by Julie Argyle of Winton.

The Winton Harness Racing Club put in a massive effort to present a great day for the public and were repaid with a large turnout to witness the event.