John Kriechbaumer
by: Harnesslink News Room
The current New Zealand Amateur Harness
Racing Driving Champion, John Kriechbaumer,
leaves this week for France to represent his
adopted country at the World Cup for Amateur
Drivers. "I'm very excited and proud to have
the opportunity to represent New Zealand at
such a prestigious event" said Kriechbaumer.
The competition starts on 19th July and John
will be up against twelve of the best
Amateur drivers in the World. Racing
commences at the Cabourg course on the
Normandy coast followed the next evening at
the Reims course just north of Paris. The
six race series concludes at the Enghien
racecourse in Paris.
Two of the toughest drivers for John to
overcome will be Alan Schwartz from the USA
and Christian Mayr who hails from John's
original homeland of Austria. These drivers
have win totals of 377 and 485 respectively.
"The records of the other drivers are a
little daunting" confessed Kriechbaumer "they
have more regular racing opportunities for
Amateur Drivers and particularly on trotters".
The current holder of the World title is
Gavin Cook from New Zealand who won the
title in 2008 in the USA. Gavin along with
his wife Marie will be join John's wife Rita
and daughter Cindy on the World Cup tour as
John chases back to back titles for New
Zealand.
John emigrated to New Zealand from his
native Austria in 1975. Trained as an
engineer John runs his own very successful
engineering business. His early farming
background lured him into harness racing and
after some initial ownership experiences
took out his trainers licence in 1991.
Just when he was thinking of giving harness
racing away along came Amateur Driving which
provided another outlet for his passion. "Yes,
Amateur Driving got me involved again, and
it rekindled the flame that was still
burning within. I think it's great concept,
you get to meet people and have some fun
along the way and I really enjoy the
comradeship. I don't wish to encroach on the
professional side of the sport. I just enjoy
being involved as a hobby trainer and
driving in the amateur ranks." said
Kriechbaumer.
"The World Cup will be the experience of a
lifetime regardless of the outcome"
according to John "I just want to give it my
best shot for New Zealand"
Gavin COOK
(by:
Harnesslink News Room)
Copyright
2007 fmo