Varenne's driver heading to WDC in New Zealand

A significant driver change has been confirmed for the upcoming World Driving Championship to be held around New Zealand this November.

Italian representative Antonio Simioli has withdrawn due to personal reasons and has been replaced by Giampaolo Minnucci, the driver who gained fame and world-wide success with superstar Italian trotter Varenne.

Known as the Il Capitano (The Captain), Varenne was acclaimed as the greatest trotter in harness racing history, earning a record $US8.7m, with 62 wins from just 73 starts. He was also the only horse to win Horse of the Year in three different countries - Italy, France and the USA.

As his regular driver Minnucci played a critical role in Varenne's success. Among their greatest performances was the win in a new world record at the 2001 Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands in North America and their two wins at Sweden's great race, the Elitloppet in 2001 and 2002.

Italy has won the WDC twice before in its 55 year history  - Roberto Andreghetti in 1997 and Guiseppe Guzzinati (1972).

The WDC starts in just over three weeks with 10 of the globe's best drivers, including New Zealand's representative Blair Orange,  battling it out at Kaikoura (November 2 and 3), Cambridge (November 5), Addington (November 7), Winton (November 9) and finally on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 11.

To see more on the WDC go to wdc25.nz