Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/241771
22 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2014 MOTORSPORTS Muscat and Sammut win first 2014 Autocross Classes Camilleri Brothers win in Motocross Räikkönen returns to work at Ferrari KIMI Räikkönen has embarked upon his first week of work since returning to the Ferrari team. The Finn, who remains the Italian brand's most recent title winner with his 2007 triumph, arrived at Maranello on Monday morning and will spend three days integrating with his engineers and driving in the simulator. "It's good to be back at work," Räikkönen explained to the official Ferrari website as the day progressed. "I began by getting used to the new systems and procedures that we will use this year. From this point of view, the simulator is very useful. It's true there's lots to do, but it is not much different to what it was in the past. "These days are also an opportunity to be with the team and spend a bit more time with my many friends here." Last week, it was confirmed by governing body the FIA that Räikkönen will race with the number seven for the remainder of his Formula 1 career, while new team-mate Fernando Alonso has chosen 14. FOOTBALL ON Sunday 12th January ASMK organised the first ASMK Pasta Poiatti 2013/14 Championship event for Autocross and Motocross. This event took place at the ASMK Race Circuits at Ta Qali with 26 cars competing in the Autocross and Motocross championships including an Autocross class for Gozo drivers. All Autocross cars competed in an anti-clockwise direction in their 6th event as per the scheduled program. This type of race which is faster than normal demands more driving skills and is more spectacular to watch where the corners can be tackled faster than normal. Though the track surface was at almost optimum conditions no one driver managed to win all the three qualifying heats. Gordon Johnson won 22 from the 27 points to secure his place in the famous Class A Finals. Other Class A competitors were Malcolm Borg (35) and Manuel Muscat (60) both on Opel Corsa, Vince Farrugia on a Volkswagen Polo (41), Melo Zammit on a Ford Escort (61) and Matthew Borg on a Vauxhall Nova (14). Muscat and Zammit made a good quick start and were followed close by the other four drivers. Soon after the first Lap Muscat started to build a gap while Borg passed Zammit who were followed by the other three cars all at high speeds. Soon Borg lost control in negotiating the tightest bend on track and jacked his car on the tyre barriers. This resulted in an easier 2nd place for Zammit with less opposition. Muscat took the Finish Flag on the 9th Lap followed by Zammit and Farrugia, Johnson and Malcolm Borg. The Autocross Class B Start Line was composed of Guzi Pace on his Ford Escort, Kurt Sammut on a Ford Ka, Josef Grech on a Ford Fiesta, Jason Martin (who returned back to Autocross) on Volkswagen Polo, Philip Joe Vella and Andrew Pisani both on Vauxhall Nova cars. From the Start Sammut took the lead which he kept to the Finish Line throughout the 9 Lap long race among 6 competitors. 2nd placed Guzi Pace could no longer resist the pressure from Josef Grech followed by Martin right to the Finish while Vella and Pisani were battling close together. Unfortunately, Vella lost control and overturned his Nova on the safety tyre barrier and retired from the race in the last 2 Laps of the race. Sammut won this Class followed by Zammit and Martin. The Gozo Autocross Class Heats were dominated by Joseph Agius on a Fiesta who was followed by Domenic Zammit on an Alfa Sud and Joseph Vella on a Ford Fiesta. The 3rd and Final 7 Laps race was won by Zammit. Agius and Vella placed 2nd and 3rd respectively. The Motocross Class A is still well battled for the lead between Clayton Camilleri and Paul Muscat both on KTM 250cc motorcycles. Both riders are preparing to compete in the Sicilian F.M.I. MX Championship starting in next February. Clayton won the three 17 minutes long MX race followed by Muscat who also made some passes to lead the track. Yet, Camilleri crossed the Finish Line ahead of Muscat and won 75 points to the 66 points won by Muscat. Following his Class B 2012-13 Championship win Trevor Muscat is now racing in Class A and placed 3rd with 58 points in Class A on the Day. The Motocross Class B was dominated by young Kyle Camilleri riding the smallest capacity motorcycle in his class. Kyle won 2 and came 2nd in Class in his 3 Heats on the day. Pierre Jourdon is placed 2nd in Class on his KTM 150cc. Karl Micallef on a Honda 250cc is placed 3rd in Class. On Sunday 19th January the Trials bikers will be competing at the L-Aura Quarry l/o Mellieha. Trials which is a non speed event is spectacular as each rider has to cover route distances on natural obstacles without putting down a foot or loosing control of his motorcycle. The competitors will be divided into a Beginners and Experienced Classes independent of the rider's age. This event starts at 9.00am till about noon and entrance is for free. More information, results and events photos are available at www.asmk.org.mt FOOTBALL Allam issues quit threat Hull City owner Assem Allam has vowed to walk away from the club if the Football Association refuses to ratify his application to change the club's name ALLAM has launched a controversial bid to re-brand the club as Hull Tigers - a move which has brought protests from supporters. And on the day the club were expected to shatter their transfer record with a swoop for Everton striker Nikica Jelavic and West Brom's Shane Long, Allam has warned he will be gone "within 24 hours" if his move does not receive widespread backing. Allam told Sky Sports News: "No one on earth is allowed to question my business decisions. I won't allow it. I can give you my CV to give you comfort, for what I do in business, what I have achieved, but for someone to come and question me is not allowed. "I'm here to save the club and manage the club for the benefit of the community. It will never, never be the other way round - that the community manage it for me. "But if the community say go away, I promise to go away with 24 hours." Assam added that the same applied should his move to have the club's name changed be rejected by the FA. He said: "Still the same thing. It's a free country. No two ways about it. Have I ever said something and went back on it? No." Assam caused controversy in November when he reacted angrily to lobbying from campaign group City Till We Die by saying: "They can die as soon as they want." The Egyptian businessman, who has lived in Hull for over 40 years, had previously branded the word 'City' "lousy" and "common", and said re-branding the club would make them more marketable. Matic's heart set on Chelsea return MIDFIELDER Nemanja Matic appears to be closing in on a return to Chelsea after telling the Portuguese media he has played his last game for Benfica. The 25-year-old Serbia international left the Blues in 2011 as a makeweight in the deal that brought Brazilian David Luiz to Stamford Bridge. After two years with Benfica, however, Chelsea look ready to bring Matic back for a second stint at the club. And the midfielder has hinted that move could be sooner rather than later, telling Portuguese newspaper A Bola he will not be wearing the Benfica shirt again this season. "I have played my last game here," he said. "I want to thank all the people at the club and all the supporters. Benfica will forever be in my heart. "I played here for two and a half years. I gave my best in every training session, every match, and now is the right time to leave. "I want to improve, I want to go to a better league and I want to go to Chelsea, the club which I also love." Matic also revealed the Lisbon side have tried everything to persuade him to stay, but his mind is firmly made up to return to England. "The Benfica president did everything he could to get me to stay here but I have wanted to leave and insisted on leaving," said the Serbian. England - FA Cup results AFC Bournemouth - Burton A ...4-1 Birminghan C. - Bristol R. ........ 3-0 Charlton A. - Oxford United ......2-2 Fulham - Norwich City ............. 3-0 Peterborough U. - K. Harriers....2-3 Plymouth Argyle - Port Vale ......2-3 Preston North End - Ispwich T. ..3-2 Sheffield W. - Macclesfield T. ....4-1 Watford- Bristol City................. 2-0 Hull City owner Assem Allam Italy - Coppa Italia Lazio - Parma ........................... 2-1