by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The North American Amateur Drivers Association will conduct a two-track trotting series during the month of April which will culminate in a series final and a consolation event in early May.

Three legs will be contested at Monticello Raceway on April 1, April 15 and April 29, while Yonkers Raceway will host preliminary legs on April 8 and April 22. The series consolation will be at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, May 5, while Yonkers Raceway will offer the series final on Thursday, May 6.

Preliminary legs at Monticello Raceway will be raced for $3,000 purses while the Yonkers prelims will go for $4,000 each. A $4,000 purse is offered for the consolation at the Mighty M and the final at Yonkers will race for $12,000.

Since it’s being sponsored by NAADA, only amateur drivers will be allowed to compete in the series. Competing reinsmen will earn points — by the European Point System — depending upon their finishes in each contest and at series-end those tops in points will earn a berth in the final. The next tier in points will be eligible to race in the consolation.

“Drivers must conduct themselves in a proper gentlemanly manner and consider that we are being afforded a place to race for purse money and are guests of the racetracks,” said Joe Faraldo, president of NAADA. “A driver must have started at least twice in the series to be eligible for preference to race in the final and all participants are urged to enter the final regardless of the number of starts they may have had in the series.”

A $50 starting fee will be imposed for drivers competing in the preliminary races while those in the consolation will pay $75 to start. A $100 fee is due from drivers who will compete in the final.

The series is open to 2010 paid-up members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association. Membership cost to join NAADA is $150.

Similar to the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Trotting Series, the NAADA Series has special conditions for horses to be eligible for the event.

“Initially each horse must meet qualifying standards at the host tracks, with a one second allowance thereafter for races in which only amateur drivers exclusively compete,” Faraldo added.

For further information, or to become a member of NAADA, applicants are urged to contact Joe Faraldo, c/o NAADA, 125-10 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, NY 11415. Or call him at 718-544-6800.