By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
New Zealand champion Blair Orange has finished eighth at the world drivers’ championship in Europe.
The fourth and final day of the championships was held in Berlin with Rick Ebbinge from the Netherlands becoming just the second driver to go back to back, joining Norway’s Ulf Thoresen in 1979 and 81.
The defending champion went into the final day with a 33 point lead and held on to win by 13 points from fast finishing Canadian Doug McNair, who had two wins, a second, a third and an eighth from his drives.
Orange was eighth going into the last five races but couldn’t improve his position overall, with a fifth being his best finish.
Twenty races were held over four days in three countries – the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
The final 2023 World Driving Championship leader board
1. Rick Ebbinge – The Netherlands – 163
2. Doug McNair – Canada – 150
3. Hanna Huygens – Belgium – 150
4. Santtu Raitala – Finland – 145
5. Michael Nimczyk – Germany – 132
6. Peter McMullen – Australia – 130
7. Jordan Ross – United States – 118
8. Blair Orange – New Zealand – 107
9. Miodrag Pantić – Serbia – 103
10. Rodney Gatt – Malta – 78
