by john manzi for NAADA
When
the North American Amateur Drivers Association kicks off its Spring Trotting
Series on March 16 participants will be eligible for a trip to France and
become a part of an American Team that will challenge the top French amateurs
in a Friendship Competition.
“Upon
the completion of our spring trotting series we will have a lottery drawing
among the top five point-earners in the eight-week event to determine three
drivers who will be eligible to travel to France and be among the
American representatives in the Friendship Competition,” noted NAADA
president, Joe Faraldo.
The North American Amateur Drivers Association had
received a formal invitation for a rematch with the very competent French
amateur drivers. The invitation was extended to Joe Faraldo during his
recent visit to Paris for the Prix d' Amerique.
The rematch is scheduled to center around races at famed
Vincennes racetrack outside of the City of Lights as well as a racetrack in
Normandy (yet to be named).
According to Faraldo, there will be at least two races
surrounded by some sightseeing of places popular with tourists and historians.
The challenge will require six US amateur drivers and their guests.
“The rematch will be an effort to avenge the terrible
loss the US amateurs sustained at the hands of the French when they invaded our
shores for a similar competition two years ago,” Faraldo added.
The selection of drivers will be limited to those who
participate in NAADA’s upcoming Spring Trotting Series which will commence on
March 16 with weekly contests at both Monticello and Yonkers Raceways.
According
to Faraldo, his organization will select three other NAADA members for a
six-man team needed to challenge France’s best.
The Friendship Competition against the French amateurs is
tentatively scheduled for the 2017 Memorial Day weekend at, or about, the same
time as the Elitloppet in Stockholm.
