HRNSW has confirmed drivers Lauren Panella and Robbie Morris will be the state’s two representatives at the Australian Drivers Championship in Tasmania next month. The pair finished first and second on the NSW Drivers’ Premiership last season and were rewarded for their overall consistency and performance.
It won’t be the first time Panella has represented NSW, having played soccer for the state nearly a decade ago but she was very proud when she received the call informing her of the opportunity.
“Having not driven since June after I had the fall and got injured I wasn’t expecting my phone to ring but I was very happy when it did, I’m really looking forward to it,” Panella said.
“It is going to be a pretty busy time for the stable in the middle of November, we have horses getting ready to go to Perth for the Inter Dominion but I won’t be missing this opportunity, it is a chance to compete against the best drivers in Australia.”
Panella confirmed this year’s World Drivers Championships held in NSW which saw reinsmen from ten different countries was a real eye opener for her.
“After watching all of the different drivers in the World Drivers Championships I thought it would be great to be involved in something like that and to get the chance to represent NSW in a national series is a real privilege.”
Since commencing her career as a driver, Panella has driven 567 winners and before suffering the injury to her hand had been in great form. Panella has won six of her last ten drives and is set to return to race driving this Friday night.
“I’m more excited than nervous, I think I’m going to have a full book this Friday night which will be a good work out for me.”
Robbie Morris confirmed he had to check the calendar when he was contacted by HRNSW and offered the chance to represent NSW next month.
“Kerryann (Turner) and I are due to have a baby on November 6 and the Australian Drivers Championship is on November 15 so everything should fit in nicely,” Morris said.
“If the Championship had been conducted over a week it might have been a different story but Kerryann and I had a good chat about it and I’m really looking forward to being involved.”
Morris was the NSW representative in this year’s Australasian Young Drivers.
“The Young Drivers series was in New Zealand and I had never driven there before and this will be my first time in Tasmania as well.
“I have grown up in harness racing and I’ve dreamed of competing in a series like this, it is an honour and hopefully Lauren or I can win it for NSW.”
HRNSW CEO John Dumesny wished Panella and Morris the best of luck and believes the duo deserved the opportunity to represent the state.
“Lauren and Robbie were the leading drivers in NSW last season and naturally the Board considered they were the best two candidates,” Dumesny said.
“It is great we have both sexes represented and these two young drivers will be taking on the best drivers in Australia.”
The Championship will be conducted at Launceston over six races with six states selecting two representatives each.
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