by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The USTA recognizes him as Mitchell Walker but the amateur driving movement knows him by his middle name, Kelly. And at the Red Mile last week, on September 29, his competitors knew him as the winner of the Billings contest with his trotter Rush N Supreme in a 1:56.4 clocking over the famed mile oval.

On October 1, Joe Faraldo, President of the North American Amateur Drivers Association, announced that its selection committee had chosen Walker to represent the United States in the prestigious World Cup of Amateur Racing which will be held at New Zealand’s premier tracks — Auckland’s Alexandra Park and Christchurch’s Addington and Motuharara — in January 2012.

NAADA photo

Kelly Walker

When he was informed that the North American Amateur Drivers Association selected him over a group of other very talented amateur reinsmen, Michigan’s Walker was thrilled.

“It’s absolutely fabulous. I’m overwhelmed and exceedingly honored to be selected to represent the United States in the World Cup,” he said excitedly. “It’s (the World Cup) the top of the game and a huge honor.”

When Walker heads to New Zealand it won’t be the first time he’s been there.

“A few years ago I went along with a group of amateurs from the Midwest led by Gregg Keidel. I was the sixth man on a five man team and really went along as company with my good friend Steve Oldford. But the folks in New Zealand went out of their way to accommodate all of us and I got a chance to drive nearly as many times as the other fellows,” Walker noted.

Kelly’s looking forward to the return trip in January and he feels he might have an advantage over the other competing amateurs who’ll be coming there for the first time.

“Since I’ve previously driven in New Zealand I think I might have a slight edge,” Walker said. “I’ve raced in their bikes and know that the racing style is competitive. The bumping and tight quarters are part of the driving acceptance there and I feel confident that I will do well.”

Walker started out as a youngster going to the races with his dad. He learned to read a program and handicap the races but at age 18 his interest was purchasing a Corvette which he had been saving for. However, instead of buying that famed sports automobile Walker purchased his first race horse and then ended-up with four and employed a professional trainer.

Walker was a hands-on owner and would help jog and train. But when his father passed away the demands of their family farm and greenhouse left him with no time for the horses. Twenty years had transpired before Walker purchased his next racehorse. Obviously, he had been bitten by the bug.

Finally after jogging and training his own stock for seven years under the mentoring of Terry Tomlin, Kelly drove his first amateur race in 2004 as a member of the Michigan Great Lakes Amateur Driving Club. During the 2009 campaign Walker was named the Michigan Amateur Driver of the Year.

A few years ago Walker joined the Billings Series and as time allows he competes whenever he can. Overall since 2009, he has driven 207 times and has won 43 races, has had 28 seconds and 25 thirds for a UDR of .334. With the wins he had in the few years prior, Walker currently has 51 driving victories.

According to Faraldo, “Kelly has his work cut out for him going up against the likes of Germany’s Marian Tux, a businessman with 580 lifetime wins, and Steve Phillips, the NZ driver and hometown favorite. But Kelly beat out some tough competition to get the nod to represent the USA Down Under. Besting David Siegel, whose third place finish on US soil in 2008 was America’s best; Bob Krivelin, who tied for third when Italy was the host; and Michigan’s Steve Oldford and Simeon Hunsdon, from historical Fort Edward, N.Y. They each graciously acknowledged that Kelly was a top choice. All we Yanks need, for Kelly, is a little good luck.”