by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — Harness racing’s greatest traveling sideshow, the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series, moves on to greater Chicago, Ill. on Sunday night, May 2, with a seven-horse trot slated in the second race at Balmoral Park.

Some of the top drivers in the series will be in action including former Amateur Driver of the Year “Tar Heel Tom” Williams, who last season won the points championships in both the Midwest and Eastern Regions and also copped the combined points category, making him the only one ever to win all three in a single year. He’ll handle Frontier General and start from the three hole.

However, joining him are six other very talented drivers including Midwest Region stalwarts Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford and Kelly “Sky” Walker. The former will handle Quaidzilla from post two while the latter will be up behind Hurricane Bubba G and start from post position five.

Joining the boys on the track that night will be the very talented Michelle “The Belle” Ruvola. Michelle won the Bronze Championship Final last year at The Meadows and whenever she drives she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’ll handle Wanttobequeenb and start from post six.

Also with mounts in the event are Peter “the President” Gerry and Mike “the Mortgage Man” Mitchell. Gerry has a contender in Somuchcooleronline, who has been a 1:56.1 winner already this season. And they have the pole position to boot. Mitchell is driving a first time starter this year.

The first Billings event of the 2010 season was contested at Pompano Park on April 29 where “Loxahatchee John” Campagnuolo reined Southern Joy to a 1:59 triumph over Ranger One with Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon at the controls.

Series president Peter Gerry, who also raced in the Pompano Park event, was interviewed trackside by Frank Salive and he said that he expects 75-100 members to participate in the Billings Series this year.

“All the drivers’ commissions go to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame at Goshen, New York, so we’re expecting that about $25,000 will be contributed this year,” Gerry told Salive that night.