Cal amateurs to take on Kiwis this weekend

After a team of east coast drivers came to California and defeated the locals in a two-night series, word quickly spread across the Pacific. A group of rebels from down under banded together and made their way across treacherous seas seeking their own gold in California.

 

This Friday and Saturday, the California Amateur Driving Club hosts a team of four Kiwis in an International Friendship Challenge to be held at Cal-Expo. The six-race, two night series will pit the four guests against a team of eight amateurs from the Golden State. Horses will be randomly assigned making this a true driving competition.

 

Free programs and TrackMaster Greg selections for the Challenge races and all other races on the Cal-Expo cards on both nights can be accessed at trackmaster.com/calx

 

New Zealand will be represented by Steve and Karen Hollander, Derek Moore and Danny Blakemore. Team California includes Sue Boyce, Karen Isbell, Benny Mancino, Rick Bertrand, Robert Stepien, Chris Hernandez, Jeff Cimini and Dave Siegel.

 

Purses will be augmented 15% to 20% for this special event thanks to the support of the North American Amateur Drivers Association. Club President Dave Siegel had this to say, “We are truly blessed here in California having an incredibly supportive management team and horsemen’s association. When I speak with other amateur clubs around the nation, they are all envious of the relationship our Club has with these groups. They see the promotional benefit of having races that are a little different from our usual menu of offerings and understand that amateur racing brings in new owners, or retain owners that may have otherwise departed from the sport.” (California Amateur Driving Club)