by John Manzi, for NAADA

Monticello, NY — To add to the new found racing camaraderie with France, Joe Faraldo, as president of the North American Amateur Drivers Association, has extended an invitation to a quartet of French amateur drivers to be their guests and compete against representatives of NAADA at various East Coast racetracks in late April.

Faraldo has already received a confirmation from Hubert Jay of UNAT (French Amateur Association) saying “We are very pleased to cross the Atlantic with a delegation of four amateurs and their guests and enjoy your hospitality.”

Races for the competition are tentatively scheduled to be held at Yonkers Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Monticello Raceway and Vernon Downs.

“We are pleased to be able to host our French friends and look forward to the competitions and the friendships that amateur racing fosters,” Faraldo said.

According to Jay, among the French contingent are Sophie Blanchetiere, the 2013 and 2014 French champion, and Romain Poree, winner of the World Championship in 2010, both of whom are well known to the French horseplayers.