by John Manzi, for NAADA

Monticello, NY — Right on the heels of having hosted a group of amateur drivers from France, the North American Amateur Drivers Association is readying for a contingent of amateur drivers from Spain on Sunday (May 31).

According to NAADA president Joe Faraldo, the team of Spaniards which they will be hosting are from Mallorca and many are world class amateur drivers.

And even before the Spaniards have arrived, they have plans to return the favor and entertain a group from NAADA in late September.

“We have planned the races in Mallorca in September the weekend of 26 and 27,“ noted Augustin Mascaro-Pou, one of the amateurs who’ll be driving in the Friendship Competition. “Sept. 26 we will have races in the small track of Manacor and Sept. 27 in Son Pardo where also will be the biggest international race that we have in Spain where eight top trotters from France will come, which is part of the European tour of French trotters.”

Although NAADA will field different teams at each venue, the Spanish team slated to be making the trip to America for this International Friendship Competition will include the following drivers:

Jaume Bassa-Riera — Partner in Sport Trot company of horse products and winner of the Spanish Breeders Crown; Represented Spain in 2001 in European Apprentices Championship.

Augustin Mascaro-Pou — Police officer and General Secretary of European Amateur Drivers Federation. Winner of Spanish Amateur Championship in 2006 and Spanish representative in 2007 European amateur championship.

Miquel Vich-Capo — Breeder and livestock dealer. Winner of Spanish Amateur championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Spanish amateur champion in 2012 and Spanish rep in World Amateur Cup in 2014.

Bernardo Jaume–Cirer — A partner in kitchen manufacturer’s company and winner of many races on the European continent.

At least one of the Spanish competitors is fairly well known by NAADA’s Joe Faraldo.

“I have raced with Jaume (Bassa-Riera) in Taranto, Italy, several times and finished behind him every time. Maybe this time an American team can turn the tables on my good friend,” Faraldo said. “Jaume has gone to the World Cup events more than anyone else, appearing as far away from home as New Zealand. He was also the translator for the exceptional Spanish reinsman who competed in the World Cup for professional drivers, which concluded at Yonkers Raceway where the Spanish guy finished third to Jody Jameson and Corey Callahan.”

The Spanish contingent is expected to arrive at JFK International Airport on May 31. After a day of touring New York City and enjoying outstanding sights and excellent cuisine, the driving competition will begin Tuesday (June 2) at Yonkers Raceway.

On Wednesday (June 3) the competition moves to Monticello Raceway and after the races the group will head to Goshen for a tour of the Hall of Fame and Historic Track.

An entertaining trip on the World Yacht with dinner and dancing will take place on Thursday (June 4). Then Friday (June 5) after a tour of the Mark Ford Farm, the contingent will be off to Tioga Downs for a race there.

On Saturday (June 6) a 6 a.m. departure from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., will get the Spaniards to south Florida where they will drive in two races at Pompano Park that evening.

The following day the Spanish contingent will head back home to Mallorca.