by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — For the third time this year the North American Amateur Drivers Association will be looking forward to hosting a contingent of European amateur drivers. After competitions earlier this season against the Spaniards and the Hungarians, the Americans are preparing to host amateur drivers from Italy in early August with competitions set for Yonkers Raceway on Sunday (Aug. 4), followed by a rivalry at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday (Aug. 7).

NAADA will field a different team at each venue but the visiting Italians will drive at both tracks. And the Americans will have to be at the top of their game to compete with the veteran Italian drivers. Heading the visitor’s team is Zorzetto Otello who has 495 career wins. He’ll be joined by Michelotto Piergiovanni (125 wins), Michelotto Roberto (81 wins) and Ruffato Raffaello (118 wins).

“We hosted them (the Italians) two years ago and they drove circles around us here in the States. But we got revenge when we out-drove them in Italy last season. And this year they might have to bring St. Anthony of Padua with them if they want help in finding the winner’s circles here,” joked Joe Faraldo, the president of NAADA.

The Italians will be arriving in the States on Thursday (Aug. 2) and in the evening treated to dinner at Bruno’s Ristorante in Howard Beach, N.Y.

However, prior to the upcoming International Challenge all local amateur clubs are assisting in securing drives for the four visiting Italians in the Hambletonian Amateur Races at the Meadowlands on Friday (Aug. 3). After the races there, NAADA will entertain the visiting Italians with dinner at Guantanamera, a Cuban restaurant in New York City.

The following day (Aug. 4) the visiting Italian contingent will watch the Hambletonian and then be NAADA’s guests for dinner at the famous BBQ emporium, The Dinosaur BBQ, in Harlem.

On Sunday (Aug. 5) the competitors will don their battle gear for a pair of races over the Hilltop oval and afterwards head to the Bronx for dinner at Zero Otto Nove.

Monday (Aug. 6) is reserved for shopping in the Big Apple and in the evening NAADA will take their counterparts to dinner at the River Palm Terrace Restaurant in nearby Mahwah, N.J.

The final races in the Italy vs. USA Challenge will be at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday (Aug. 7). After the competition there, dinner will be at Yiasou Cafe in Liberty, N.Y.

Wednesday (Aug. 8) is reserved for a tour of Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum in Goshen, N.Y. and then for a shopping spree at Woodbury Common in nearby Central Valley.

Thursday (Aug. 9) the Italian contingent will return home.