by Joe Faraldo, for the North American Amateur Drivers’ Association

Monticello, NY — With a greater amount of revenues collected this year, the North American Amateur Drivers Association donated $12,500 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday (Dec. 4).

Tom Berg photo

Joe Faraldo (left), Bob Galterio (right) and Mike Sorentino Jr. (second left) are joined by Westchester County Chapter & Hudson Valley Branch of the JDRF development coordinator Taryn Dwan and office manager Kathy Fox.

This year’s revenues, comprised of the amateur drivers’ nominating, starting and entry fees, along with additional funds from the NAADA treasury, was the bulk of the money raised.

However, additional money came from the greater revenues collected when NAADA hosted an international amateur driving competition with visiting New Zealanders at three East Coast racetracks in early September, and with the second “All-Amateur Day” contested at Monticello Raceway in mid-July, which was organized by NAADA members Alan Schwartz and Bob Krivelin.

This year’s series of NAADA events concluded with the $12,500 Fall Trotting Series final at Yonkers Raceway on Nov. 29 after four legs were contested on alternate weeks at Monticello and Yonkers. In that series, Robert Krivelin emerged as the point leader and also won the series finale with High Pan Tolerance in a race timed in 1:59.2. Alan Schwartz and I’m Fabulous finished second while Gary Campbell was third behind The Windsurfer A in that contest.

“NAADA and its membership are grateful to both racetracks for permitting our members to race for this most worthwhile cause,” noted Joe Faraldo, president of NAADA. “Special thanks to the respective race offices of Eric Warner, Steve Starr and Bob Meicuna and our hats go off to Bob Galterio and Tim Rooney at Yonkers, and to Joe D’Amato and Charlie Degliomini at Monticello.

“As the year comes to a close, most amateurs will take the winter off and begin planning their strategies with respect to dates and steeds acquired for the spring competition and hopefully how to continue our efforts to help the JDRF.”