by David Siegel, for the California Amateur Driving Club

Sacramento, CA — 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 www.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 percent for this special event thanks to the support of the North American Amateur Drivers Association.

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 retains owners that may have otherwise departed from the sport.

Alan Kirschenbaum, California Harness Horseman’s Association President, remarked, “It’s an honor to host an international competition like this one — especially with the New Zealanders, as we have had so many New Zealand horses and horsemen over the years play such a major role in California harness racing. So it’s fun to have a few of their amateur drivers as well.”

“We are pleased to be able to support these types of events that have been managed by the club over the years,” said Cal Expo Director of Racing David Elliott. “These races are always competitive and provide a change of pace, no pun intended, to the normal everyday racing program.”

For information about the California Amateur Driving Club, the Challenge or amateur driving in general, please visit www.thecadc.com.