by
john manzi for NAADA
Right on the heels of having hosted a group of
amateur drivers from France the North American Amateur Drivers Association
(NAADA) is readying for a contingent of amateur drivers from Spain on Sunday,
May 31.
According to NAADA president Joe Faraldo the team of
Spaniards which they will be hosting are from Mallorca and many are world class
amateur drivers.
And even before the Spaniards have arrived they
have plans to return the favor and entertain a group from NAADA in late
September.
"We
have planned the races in Mallorca in September the weekend of 26 & 27“
noted Augustin Mascaro-Pou, one of the amateurs who’ll be driving in the
Friendship Competition.
“Sept 26 we
will have races in the small track of Manacor and Sept. 27 in Son Pardo where
also will be the biggest international race that we have in Spain where will
come eight top trotters from France, which is part of the European Tour of
French trotters."
Although NAADA will field different teams at each
venue the Spanish team slated to be making the trip to America for this
International Friendship Competition include the following drivers:
Jaume
Bassa-Riera -- - Partner in Sport Trot company of horse products - Winner
of the Spanish Breeders Crown; Represented Spain in 2001 in European
Apprentices Championship
Augustin
Mascaro-Pou.---. Police Officer. General Secretary of European Amateur Drivers
Federation (FEGAT). Winner of Spanish Amateur Championship in 2006 and
Spanish representative in 2007 European amateur championship.
Miquel
Vich-Capo-- Breeder and Livestock dealer. Winner of Spanish Amateur
championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Spanish Amateur Champion in 2012 ..
Spanish rep in World Amateur Cup in 2014.
Bernardo
Jaume –Cirer—A partner in kitchen manufacturer’s company and winner of many
races on the European continent.
At least one the
Spanish competitors is fairly well known by NAADA's Joe Faraldo.
“I have raced
with Jaume (Bassa-Riera) in Taranto, Italy several times and finished
behind him every time. Maybe this time an American team can turn the tables on
my good friend,” Faraldo said.
“Jaume has gone to the
World Cup events more than anyone else appearing as far away from home as New
Zealand. He was also the translator for the exceptional Spanish reinsman who
competed in the World Cup for Professional Drivers which concluded at Yonkers
Raceway where the Spanish guy finished third to Jodie Jameson and Corey
Callahan.”
The Spanish contingent
is expected to arrive at JFK International Airport on May 31. After a day of
touring New York City and enjoying outstanding sights and excellent cuisine the
driving competition will begin Tuesday, June 2 at Yonkers Raceway.
On Wednesday (June 3)
the competition moves to Monticello Raceway and after the races the group will
head to Goshen for a tour of the Hall of Fame and Historic Track.
An entertaining trip on
the World Yacht with dinner and dancing will take place on Thursday. Then
Friday (June5) after a tour of the Mark Ford Farm in Goshen the contingent will
be off to Tioga Downs for a race there.
On Saturday (June 6) a
6am departure from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY will get the Spaniards to
south Florida where they will drive in the two races at Pompano Park that
evening.
The following day the
Spanish contingent will head back home to Mallorca.
