This year, The Lock Haven Regatta will have an added international flair. Due to the efforts of The U.S. A-Team and The APBA Historical Society, "The International Goodwill Through Racing Program" will make it's debut at The Annual Labor Day Regatta on August 31-Sept 2. The Polish OSY-400 Driver Cezary Strumnik, along with his mechanic Marcin will be on hand to compete in the CSH and 20SSH classes. The U.S. A-Team would like to thank the efforts of The APBA Historical Society for introducing this program as well as The DVORA, which put Lock Haven on the UIM Calender allowing this driver to compete and also for scheduling Friday testing to give him a chance to familiarize himself with the course and the rig.
Some history: When the American team first traveled to Poland to compete in The World Championship in 2009, we were hosted by this driver and his racing club located in Chodziez, Poland. American drivers Tony Lombardo and Billy Allen were both borrowing boats to drive and, having no trailer nor equipment, the team was a bit unprepared for the event. Although organizing and competing in the race himself, Cezary Strumnik dropped whatever it was he was doing at the time to accommodate the under prepared Americans. "Charlie we need a gas can" we would say. "Five Minutes" would be his answer and sure enough he would appear five minutes later with a gas can for our use. "Charlie, we need horses to put under the boat". "Five minutes". And so it went all weekend long. In short the Polish people, and Cezary Strumnik, in particular were tremendous hosts and could not have been more helpful during our first UIM racing experience. When the races were completed we were treated by Cezary to a tour of the town along with the famous porcelain factory and lunch at the nicest resteraunt in town. He could not have been more gracious.
If you plan on attending the Lock Haven race, please take a few minutes to drop by the A-Team pits to introduce yourself and extend some American hospitality to these two gentlemen who have travelled so far to enjoy an American racing experience. You may even want to congratulate Cezary on winning the pole position this year at the Worlds. Cooler Bobski, ya?
Thank you,
Billy Allen
Captain, U.S. A-Team
Some history: When the American team first traveled to Poland to compete in The World Championship in 2009, we were hosted by this driver and his racing club located in Chodziez, Poland. American drivers Tony Lombardo and Billy Allen were both borrowing boats to drive and, having no trailer nor equipment, the team was a bit unprepared for the event. Although organizing and competing in the race himself, Cezary Strumnik dropped whatever it was he was doing at the time to accommodate the under prepared Americans. "Charlie we need a gas can" we would say. "Five Minutes" would be his answer and sure enough he would appear five minutes later with a gas can for our use. "Charlie, we need horses to put under the boat". "Five minutes". And so it went all weekend long. In short the Polish people, and Cezary Strumnik, in particular were tremendous hosts and could not have been more helpful during our first UIM racing experience. When the races were completed we were treated by Cezary to a tour of the town along with the famous porcelain factory and lunch at the nicest resteraunt in town. He could not have been more gracious.
If you plan on attending the Lock Haven race, please take a few minutes to drop by the A-Team pits to introduce yourself and extend some American hospitality to these two gentlemen who have travelled so far to enjoy an American racing experience. You may even want to congratulate Cezary on winning the pole position this year at the Worlds. Cooler Bobski, ya?
Thank you,
Billy Allen
Captain, U.S. A-Team
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