by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Kew Gardens, NY — A rematch with the invading New Zealanders is set to begin on Friday (Oct. 13) when a contingent of Kiwis arrive on American soil to begin an amateur driving competition at three different race tracks in New York State.

Races are slated at Yonkers Raceway, Saratoga Raceway and Monticello Raceway.

“Late last fall a contingent of NAADA members traveled to New Zealand for an international amateur driving contest there and now we have the pleasure of reciprocating,” noted Joe Faraldo, president of NAADA. “We didn’t fare very well Down Under but it didn’t really matter. What did was sharing the comradery and friendships fostered by amateur racing.”

The Kiwis are coming with a powerful foursome consisting of Gavin Cook, Mike Maynard, Cheree Wigg and Coleen Negus and they will drive at all three venues.

However, the NAADA team members will change at each participating race track. Scheduled to drive at Saratoga on Monday (Oct. 16) are Tony Cuiffetelli, Bob Davis, Alan Schwartz and Gerry Fielding. At Yonkers on Tuesday (Oct. 17) Joe Lee, Joe Faraldo, Jennifer Lappe and Peter Kleinhans will represent NAADA. And at the final leg at Monticello on Wednesday (Oct. 18), Alan Schwartz, Gerry Fielding, Monica Banca and Joe Faraldo will represent the Americans.

Nightly dinners at outstanding restaurants along the journey will be supplied by the hosting North American Amateur Drivers Association. Also on Saturday (Oct. 14) the visiting Kiwis will dine at Yonkers Raceway while they enjoy the $1 million Yonkers International Trot and the rich finals of the New York Sire Stakes program.

Enclosed below is the competition itinerary.

• Friday Oct. 13: Day of Rest at the Bentley Hotel – 62nd Street, NYC; meet at 7 p.m. for dinner at Zero Otto Nove, West 21st Street, NYC
• Saturday Oct. 14: pick-up from hotel at 10:30 a.m. to arrive at Yonkers Raceway to enjoy the International Trot and finals of the NY Sire Stakes; dine at the track; back to hotel.
• Sunday Oct 15: Pick up at 8:30 a.m. to compete at Saratoga Raceway. Enjoy the town of Saratoga. Dinner at Lonfellows Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
• Monday Oct. 16: Free day to explore New York City; Meet our host Peter Kleinhans for dinner at 7 p.m. at The Redeye Grill, 7th Ave., New York, N.Y.
• Tuesday Oct. 17: Pick up at 10 a.m. to visit and have a guided tour of the 9/11 Memorial Museum in Manhattan. Transport to Yonkers Raceway for second leg of competition. Dinner at Tra Di Noi and back to hotel.
• Wednesday Oct. 18: Pick up at 10 a.m. for transport to Monticello Raceway for final leg of competition. Farewell dinner at the River Palm, Mahwah, N.J. in the evening.
• Thursday Oct. 19: Kiwis return home.