by John Manzi, for the C.K.G. Billings Series

Monticello, NY — The long wait is over for the avid amateur drivers. On Saturday night (April 30) two nine-horse trots will go to post at Pompano Park as the 2011 Billings Harness Driving Championship Series gets underway for the 30th season.

Some of the stalwarts of the Billings Series will be there to handle a spirited steed and among them are Billings president Tony “the Capo” Verruso and series vice president Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.

Oldford not only won the points title last season in the Midwest Region but he also copped the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold Cup Final at the Meadows with his own Celtic Merchant. Verruso finished second in that contest with Buck ID.

Others who’ll have to be reckoned with include “Gentleman Jamie” Marra, Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon, Dein “The Jupiter Gem” Spriggs, “Tar Heel Tom” Williams, and “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo.

Marra was the Eastern Region point winner last season, overtaking Hunsdon in the final event at Yonkers Raceway, while Spriggs, Williams and Faraldo are former National Amateur Drivers of the Year. Spriggs was a two-time winner.

Others slated to drive in the Billings events on Saturday include Scott “the Driving Doctor” Woogen, “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio and John “Johnny Boy” Campagnuolo.

“Schoolboy Joe” Bongiorno was originally carded to drive at Pompano Park on Saturday, but according to his dad Bobby, something came up and Joe will not be going to Florida for that competition. Bongiorno, all of 17 years of age and a junior at Colts Neck High School in New Jersey, is pursuing a career in harness racing and he’s off to a mighty good start, having been named the Amateur Driver of the Year last season.

The first division is carded as race number one while the second split will be race number four on the 10-race card that evening.