Siegel named to represent U.S. amateurs in 2008 World Cup

On Sunday night David Siegel was at Dover Downs to accept his trophy as the 2007 Amateur Driver of the Year. As he was walking away from the podium co-host Roger Huston stopped him and read a letter which stated that Siegel, as United States Amateur Driver of the Year, will represent the U.S. in the upcoming World Cup of Amateur Racing which is set to get underway in mid-May in Chicago, Ill.

“Not only was I thrilled when I found out I was named the National Amateur Driver of the Year, but now giving me the privilege (and responsibility) of representing  the U.S. amateurs in the upcoming World Driving competition the United States is more than I could have ever realized,” Siegel told the audience in attendance that evening.

The next day via email Siegel added: “I basked in the joy of being so honored last night and on the plane ride back today. Beginning tonight I start my study on Balmoral (Park), Maywood (Park), etc., so I can give us the best chance of doing well and hopefully winning.”

Hosted by the North American Amateur Drivers Association, the 2008 World Cup of Amateur Racing will also have events at Yonkers Raceway, Monticello Raceway and Freehold Raceway with the outstanding amateurs from 12 different countries set to participate.

Driving competitively at Cal Expo in Sacramento for the last three years this season has by far been the best for the 49-year-old executive. From 209 starts Siegel won 28 races, and had 35 seconds and 20 thirds for a .259 UDR and purses of $100,040 while driving mainly against professionals at the only pari-mutuel harness track still operating in California. About half of his drives at Cal Expo were with horses he owned where he sported an impressive .352 UDR.

This year again, mainly against professional drivers, Siegel already has two wins in 12 starts.

Living in  Palo Alto, Cal., since 1981 the transplanted easterner from Livingston, N.J, moved west after he graduated Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Siegel later obtained his Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University.

Currently the president of Trackmaster, an Equibase subsidiary which supplies handicap information for Thoroughbred and harness players, it was through his profession that Siegel became involved in amateur racing.

“I never even touched a horse until 2002 when I purchased a pacer by the name of Wastin Time,” Siegel reflected. “Ed Hensley was my trainer at that time and for 18 months I jogged and sometimes trained horses with Ed. Two years later when I applied for my driver’s license I had to drive in 45 qualifying races before I was granted a provisional license in late 2004.”

However, with 58 driving victories already under his belt in just three full seasons of driving, its obvious that Siegel has learned his lessons well.

Currently he owns 12 horses most of which race at Cal Expo but he also has three competing on the East Coast at Saratoga Raceway in upstate New York.

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