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Fin Takes World Championship
July 24, 2006

Kimmo Hamalainen of Finland won the Amateur Driver's World Championship on Saturday in Rome by rallying for 19 points on the final day of competition.

Heading into the final day of competition, Hamalainen was trailing the leader, Canada's Howard Gelfand, by a single point.

Gelfand had a disappointing day Saturday, when he was disqualified in his first race, and finished 13th in his second race. He was only able to muster three points, which left him in seventh place, after leading for the first two days.

Italy's Alessandro Raspante finished second with 62 points. Virginie Boudier Cormy of France had a noteworthy performance on Saturday, winning both races for 29 points, giving her 60 overall, enough to finish third.

Final Results:
1. Kimmo Hamalainen, Finland, 66 points
2. Alessandro Raspante, Italy, 62
3. Virginie Boudier Cormy, France, 60
4. Iver Jessen, Denmark, 59
4. Marc de Soete, Belgium, 59
6. Klaus Tho Seeth, Germany, 54
7. Howie Gelfand, Canada, 51
8. Maurizio Biasuzzi, Italy, 49
9. Fred Handelar, Netherlands, 46
9. Josef Maier, Austria, 46
11. Colin Redwood, Austrailia, 39
12. Tommy Holmgren, Sweden, 36
13. John Bennet, New Zealand, 28
14. Lon Frocione, United States, 27

World's Best Amateurs Compete in Italy
 

July 13, 2006

The competition to determine the world's best amateur driver gets underway in Italy next Wednesday.

The Gentlemen Drivers World Championship, will take place in Rome and Naples, and is considered to be a cultural and social event as much as a sporting event.

The competition will consist of nine races held over three days, the driver with the most points at the end of the nine races will be crowned champion.

There will be drivers from 12 countries, with Howard Gelfand representing Canada.
Other competitors are:

  • Australia -Colin Redwood

  • Austria - Josef Maier

  • Belgium - Marc de Soete

  • Denmark - Iver Jessen

  • Finland - Kimmo Hamalainen

  • France - Virginie Boudier Cormy

  • Germany - Klaus Seeth

  • Italy - Mauro Biasuzzi (defending champion) and Alessandro Raspante

  • New Zealand - John Bennett

  • Holland - Fred Handelaar

  • Sweden - Tommy Holmgren

  • United States - Lon Frocione

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Amateur Drivers World Championship

June 30, 2006

When the FIFA World Cup wraps up in Germany next weekend, sports fans can head on over to the Amateur Drivers World Championship in Italy, July 13 to 23.

Thirteen drivers will be representing their countries, each fighting for the right to be called the amateur world champion. The competition will consist of nine races held over three days. The driver accumulating the most points will walk away the winner.

Howie Gelfand, of Puslinch, Ont., will be representing Canada.

"It's going to be fun. It's the first time I've ever done anything like this," he said from a cell phone, as he was driving down to New Jersey to race in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series at Goshen Historic Track this weekend.

"I hope to do well."

"It'll be interesting to see how racing is done in other countries," noting that not all countries have the same rules as in North America, where amateur rules are nearly identical to professional rules.

Although Gelfand has never been in an international competition before, in 2005 he went to New Zealand, where amateur drivers are not allowed to use whips and the bikes are longer.

Although his international experience is limited, his colours may be able to share their experience.

"Since I was asked to go on short notice, I had to borrow the Canadian colours from Jody (Jamieson). He went over for the professional drivers title," he said.

But, he admits the competition will be intense, as amateur driving is quite popular around the world, and the drivers are very skilled, some winning over 1,000 races.

The World Cup of Amateur Driving takes place in Italy, from Wednesday, July 19 to Saturday, July 22.

Nine races will be held over three days, the driver with the most accumulated points will be the champion.

Races dates:
Wednesday, July 19 - Agnano Racetrack, Naples - Races 1, 2, 3
Thursday, July 20 - Tor di Valle Racetrack, Rome - Races 4, 5, 6
Saturday July 22 - Tor di Valle Racetrack, Rome - Races 7, 8, 9