STILL buzzing after his win last year, Queensland young gun Angus Garrard thinks successfully defending his Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship crown will be even harder.
Garrard, 22, upstaged his older and more decorated rivals for a memorable win in last year’s inaugural 20-race series at Albion Park.
With the backing of SENTrack, 1Equine and Garrards Horse and Hound slot, Garrard is back to defend the title tonight (Friday) and tomorrow night.
“Gee it’s come around quickly,” he said. “That was such a thrill last year, as big a buzz as I’ve had in my career.
“Just to drive against the likes of Dexter Dunn, Bjorn Goop and Yannick Gingras, superstars from the other side of the world, was a thrill. Winning it was pinch myself stuff.
“So many of the drivers I was against last year and again this year, are people I grew up watching and wanting to be.
“The racing was great, but just the whole event. Getting four or five days together with a group of drivers like this brings together is a real treat.
“It’s only the second year of the series, but it’s become something special very quickly.”
That’s underlined by the fact only three of last year’s 10 drivers in the inaugural Ladbrokes Ultimate Championship have got slots to return.
Garrard, WA champion Gary Hall Jr and multiple Queensland premiership winner Pete McMullen are the three because they filled the top three placings last year. Hall Jr was second and McMullen third.
Garrard and McMullen are joined by Trista Dixon, co-trainer of the great Leap To Fame and winner of over 400 races, to give a strong host state flavour.
“There’s no doubt being a local helped me a lot last year,” Garrard said. “Not just knowing the track so well, but the horses, too. I drive some of them or compete against them, week-in, wee-out,” he said.
“As awesome as Dexter (Dunn), Bjorn (Goop) and Yannick (Gingras) are, our style of racing and them not knowing the horses made it harder for them against someone like me on my home deck.
“When I look at the line-up this year, I think it’ll be even harder (than last year) because James MacDonald (Canada) is the only driver from the northern hemisphere. I guess, there’s Zac (Butcher) from NZ, too and he hasn’t driven at Albion Park before.
“But this time you’ve got guys like Cam Hart, Luke (McCarthy), ‘Herby’ (James Herbertson) and Robbie Morris, who come from interstate, but will be quite at home around this track.
“When you look at the line-up, you just know the racing is going to be so competitive and great to watch.”
PHOTO: Dan Costello
