The Federation Europeenne Des Gentlemen Amateurs Et Cavalieres Du Trot, in cooperation with the Florida Amateur Driving Club, has announced that the Isle International Amateur Series will be held at Pompano Park in a two-day extravaganza March 12 and 13.
The top amateur drivers from Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Russia and Spain will join a Florida representative in a multi-race series that is expected to draw attention world-wide.
Italy’s Enrico Colombino, a winner of 345 races, is expected to compete along with Germany’s Michael Gutsche, who has reached the winner’s circle on 235 occasions. Ivan Serik of Russia has earned his way into this prestigious event on the strength of his 143 wins while Norway’s Nils Olav Holm will come into the U.S.A with 171 driving victories.
Spain’s Jaume Bassa Riera, returns to the United States after competing in eight events last year—winning three, including a victory at host track Pompano Park. He also won events at Tioga Downs and Yonkers Raceway.
Adding to the excitement is the news that the “voice” of harness racing, Roger Huston, will be providing the race calls for the event.
Huston, who was Pompano Park’s track announcer from 1967 to 1975, lends yet another world dimension to this event, having called races at 134 venues, including, besides the U.S.A., tracks in Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Wales.
Organizer Dein Spriggs, President of the Florida Amateur Driving Club, said of the event, “locally, our Driving Club has contributed over $140,000 to charitable organizations and has put harness racing in a very positive community light.
“This competition will, hopefully, expand our work and goals beyond our borders and be a benefit to charities world-wide and, of course, harness racing.”
“We are very excited to be the host track for this year’s event,” said Brett Revington, Director of Racing at Pompano Park. “This is a great, cooperative effort that will encompass an area far greater than South Florida or, even, North America. This is a world class event that will enable our sport to reach out to, literally, many millions of people.”
(Pompano Park)