The final leg of the Italian-American Friendship competition was held in Italy on Friday (Sept. 22).

In the first event, Mickele Fémia piloting the speedy Senator Roc blasted out for the lead tracked by Alan Schwartz on Zerouno MMG while the three hole was closed to Joe Faraldo on The Eagle Grif by G. Bosia from Team Italia. Rimmed the entire mile Joe and The Eagle Grif, owned by our host and longtime friend Enrico Colombino, lasted for second with Allan Schwartz finishing third and Johnny “Cal” grabbing the fourth slot. That put Team America up 56-54 after the first event. Paul Minore’s steed was scratched.

The next division saw Joe Faraldo’s second drive also out on a scratch and the field was whittled down to five. Alan Schwartz, on Bob An and Michele, the winner from race one, bumped one another with Mickele stepping it off. From that point on Schwartz just rolled past each pylon freewheeling, with Johnny “Cal” sitting an ever widening second, as G. Bosia had to make an avoidance move in looping Johnny. Johnny’s horse dropped anchor and finished a very distant third. Schwartz, oblivious to what was happening behind, crossed the line comfortably in front by 10 lengths. Behind Schwartz was G. Bosia of Team Italia. A judge’s inquiry left Alan up and that clinched the competition for Team America. The final point total was 70 for Team America and 64 for Team Italia.

The final race winner’s circle presentation saw Johnny “Cal” speeding to join the group coming down the stretch on what appeared to be a borrowed child’s bicycle. Johnny appeared to have made it down the stretch much faster than he had at the end of the second division.

Gifts were exchanged by the Clubs with a final dinner scheduled Friday evening at the restaurante Al Gufo Bianco in Torino. Half of the Team heads home Sunday with half heading to chill in Milano and Lake Como. Sometime next year Team Italia, upon invitation of the NAADA founder Joe Faraldo, will seek their revenge on the Northeast circuit as guests of the North American Amateur Drivers’ Association.

Amateur racing has blossomed since the original local amateur club, NAADA, was founded — something our club will cherish.