For the fourth time in five years, Team West defeated the East in last weekend’s Amateur Driving Challenge.  When all was said and done in the two-night, eight-race event, the West squad had amassed 193 points to 143 for the Eastern invaders.
 
The West was led by Chris Hernandez, who had 58 points, beating out the East’s Tony Verusso and teammate Robert Stepien, who each had 53 points.  These three drivers and Dave Sigel from the Western team each had a pair of victories.
 
The victorious West quartet was completed by Rick Bertrand, while the Eastern squad was rounded out by Dave Ehrenberg, Kelly Walker and Tom Williams.  It was a great series all the way around.
 
“The East-West Challenge is a wonderful event that really changes the pace for our program,” California Amateur Driving Club president Siegel related.  “The races are run quite differently, often with more action, which I think the public likes to see as a variation from our professional drivers.
 
“We are so very fortunate that we have the support of management and our horsemen to be able to host such an event.  There were 29 different trainers who entered 64 horses, without a single scratch.  Our appreciation goes out to all who support this annual endeavor."