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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MARCH 2019 20 INTERVIEW SPORTS LAST Sunday, the Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi successfully organised the sixth event of ASMK-Pasta Poiatti Autocross 2018/2019 National Champi- onship. 22 competitors registered in one of the three Autocross Classes that for Modified, or for Standard cars or in the Autocross Diesel Class. The day's pro- gramme came to a very special ending as ASMK organised the 'Ladies Demolition Derby' for the first time with the par- ticipation of 10 very enthusiastic young women. Yet on this same Sunday morn- ing ASMK also organised the fifth event of the National Trials Championship. This event was held in a quarry at Tas- Saghtar limits of Naxxar. During the day the Autocross cars raced for three heats and a final race counting for classification points. In the 9 Laps Final for Modified Class A cars Terence Azzopardi won on his white Opel Corsa and was followed by Melo Zammit on an- other Opel Corsa and by the Fiat Punto of Noel Zammit whilst fourth place was won by Jean Paul Grech on an Opel Corsa. In the Modified Autocross Class B Final we saw Gordon Johnson on an Opel Cor- sa to win this Class and he was followed by Theo Micallef on a Ford Fiesta. Third place was won by Brandon Lee Vassallo on his Peugeot 205 while fourth placed is Paul Formosa. The Autocross Standard Class Final was won by the Peugeot 106 of Nicovich Chir- cop while Kyle Agius on the Opel Nova followed in 2nd place. Third place was won by Quinn Camilleri on his Citroen AX and Fourth placed is the new driver Liam Formosa on a Ford Fiesta. This re- sult may be changed following further analysis by the Executive Committee. Meanwhile the Trials Riders were in Competition outside the ASMK prem- ises and we had these results. Class A was won by Damon Bonello on a TRS Trials m.cycle and he was followed in 2nd place by Rowen Bonello on a Beta. Third place was won by Ian Scicluna on a Beta too. The Juniors Class B was won by Isaac Sci- cluna on his Gas Gas who was followed in 2nd place by Julian Scicluna on an OSET. In Third place we find Dion Micallef on a Beta while Karl Bartolo on another Beta was placed Fourth. Meanwhile, the highlight and the clo- sure of the day's program on this spe- cial Sunday was the much awaited start of the First ever Edition in Malta of the 'Ladies Demolition Derby' with 10 com- petitors on well prepared colourful cars. The competitors were Carol Bowell on a Toyota Starlet, Michaela Sammut on VW Polo, Francesca Schembri on a Ford Fiesta, Panthea Butler on Skoda Favorit, Kayleigh Desira on a Toyota Starlet, Mandy Farrugia Lomax on Skoda Favorit, Yanica Gilford on Kia Pride, Mary Butler on Skoda Favorit, Jessica Magro Butler on Subaru J10 and Maronia Mallia on anoth- er Skoda Favorit. It all started at 3: 20pm with the female competitors who for several years sup- ported their men or other family mem- bers. Now,they were in absolute control of their vehicle. Following their entry into the track and a Line-Up they first made two laps as an exhibition parade and a warm-up for all and then they were given the start signal to this derby. It was clearly noticed by the crowd of spectators that although the ladies never had the op- portunity or experience to be behind the wheel in a Demolition car, they began giving spectacular banging to each other but with neat technique and driving un- der the strict Safety Rules without even breaking any. These 10 competitors gave a great show to all present even though many of the spectator public were supporting vari- ous cars as it was a while before the first car had to be abandoned. After nearly 50 minutes of battling between these cars the final duel was between Jessica and Michaela for almost 15 minutes. And though the drivers pushed their cars to the limits, the vehicles crossed the vehi- cles line with running engines. While Michaela has had her car still on the move while that of Jessica continued running and crawling with both rear wheels completely jammed against the bodywork. Where it is usual practice to see the final blow that determines who will be the win- ner both cars had their engines running like of new cars. In a while Michaela's car engine developed a small oil fire and she had to abandon the car and be declared Runner-Up while Jessica Magro Butler won this first edition of the 'First ASMK Ladies Demolition Derby'. Both drivers greated each other among cheers from the crowd. Meanwhile ASMK has already started preparing for the next Demolition Derby for small cars scheduled for just before Easter. To register himself for this next event one must attend the Meeting to be held on this Thursday 14 March 2019 at the National School of Sport, in Pem- broke. The meeting starts at 8pm. ASMK events will continue this Sun- day with the Honda Motocross National 2019/2019 Championship. This will be the Fifth event of this season and the event starts at 10.00am at the ASMK Sports Complex in Ta' Qali. More information can found on the website of the Association:- www.asmk. org.mt or the Facebook pages named:- A.S.M.K. Malta or:- Assoċjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi. One can make con- tact by email:- info@asmk.org.mt Mobile 9942 or 5489. Jessica Magro Butler wins first ladies' demolition derby Gordon Johnsons on an Opel Corsa Jessica Magro Butler drove her pink Subaru to victory PHOTOS BY MARIO MICALLEF

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