The Format
One regional event will take place in each region of Standardbred Canada (Western, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic) from October to December 2009. Each region of Standardbred Canada is made up of the following provinces:

Western Region – Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
Ontario Region – Ontario
Quebec Region – Quebec
Atlantic Region – Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick

From each province the following numbers of drivers will be invited to participate. The number of representatives allotted per province was determined by the number of "A Drivers" registered with Standardbred Canada in that province.

Western Region
Manitoba – One Representative
Saskatchewan – One Representative
Alberta – Three Representatives
British Columbia – Three Representatives

Ontario Region
Northern Ontario – One Representative
Eastern Ontario – One Representative
Central Ontario – Seven Representatives

Quebec Region
Quebec – Eight Representatives

Atlantic Region
Newfoundland - One Representative
Prince Edward Island – Three Representatives
Nova Scotia – Three Representatives
New Brunswick – Two Representatives

Four regional championships will determine eight finalists to the National Driving Championship that will be held at Fraser Downs in March, 2009.

The Point System

The National Driving Championship will adapt the point system utilized in the World Driving Championship. Points will be awarded on the order of finish as follows:

Number of Starters: 9
16 (1st)
11 (2nd)
8 (3rd)
6 (4th)
5 (5th)
4 (6th)
3 (7th)
2 (8th)
1 (9th)

Number of Starters: 8
15 (1st)
10 (2nd)
7 (3rd)
5 (4th)
4 (5th)
3 (6th)
2 (7th)
1 (8th)

The two drivers that accumulate the most points in each region's competition will advance to the National Driving Championship. The driver that earns the most points in the National Driving Championship will represent Canada at the 2009 World Driving Championship.