Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/250270
22 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2014 MOTORSPORTS Zammit and Vella win ASMK Autocross Classes FOLLOWING the rain and bad weather on Saturday, the sun was bright to welcome the ASMK Autocross 7th Race of the ASMKPasta Poiatti National Autocross Championship. Maltese and Gozo drivers totalled thirty cars registered for the day's events which included an 'S' shaped bend and some muddy areas on the track whose surface constantly changed from very damp to dry surfaces as time passed by. Manuel Muscat on his Opel Corsa was the only one to win all the qualifying Heats on the day thus secured his place for Class A Finals. Other Class A finalists were Christian Mark Galea on a Fiat Ritmo, Melo Zammit on a Ford Escort, Patrick Cassar on an Opel Corsa, Kurt Sammut on a Ford Ka and Josef Grech on his Ford Fiesta. Muscat made a very good launch and took the race leadership. Cassar and Sammut followed close by when Cassar was warned by the referee for touching Sammut who now was overtaken by Zammit who started adding pressure on Cassar who was following and trying to find the right time to take the lead from race leader Muscat. Soon before the 9 Laps race finish Cassar fouled on leader Muscat who lost his lead. Obviously, Cassar was Black Flagged, Zammit took the lead to the Finish Line followed by Muscat and Farrugia on his Polo. Grech and Sammut finished in 4th and 5th place respectively. Class B finalist were Matthew Borg, Philip Joe Vella and Andrew Pisani all on a Vauxhall Nova, Vince Farrugia on his Volkswagen Polo, Carlos Mifsud and Duncan Delia both on a Ford Fiesta. Vella, Farrugia and Borg made a very good start and they held this formation for most of the race when Borg was forced to retire for a mechanical failure and made way for Mifsud followed by Delia both on Ford Fiesta cars. Earlier during the race Pisani was also forced to retire due to a mechanical failure. Though Vella had some difficult times during the Heats he was very happy for winning the hard race of the Class B Final. The Gozo Autocross section Heats and Finals Race were dominated by Domenic Zammit on his Alfa-Sud. During the Final Race Zammit was constantly followed by Joseph Agius on his Ford Fiesta and by Marvin Grima on an Opel Corsa. All these 3 drivers defended their positions right to the Finish though they demonstrated high speed combined with precise control of their vehicles. Joseph Vella on a Ford Fiesta finished in 4th place. With regards to the Demolition Race of the 22nd December 2013 the ASMK Executive / Board of Discipline decided to eliminate Leo Butler for foul play by being assisted by team helpers to con- Kurt Sammut in his Ford KA followed closely by Philip Joe Vella in his Vauxhall Nova tinue his race which resulted in his winning 2nd place. Also, Clive Butler and Brian Grech were officially warned for breach of rules from their end following Marshals' Instructions. The Final Official Result reads that Larkin Butler is the 2013 Demolition Winner and Brian Grech is Runner-Up. Both driver won on Hillman Hunter cars. Besides the high risk of bad weather conditions at this time of the year ASMK is renovating the Motocross track by a foreign experienced MX track builder. The works carried out includes track modifications to create an MX track to satisfy the needs of both novices and experts in Motocross racing. Also, the track will create less personal fatigue on the riders but is more technical from start to finish. This is made possible to sponsors of heavy plant and efforts from the ASMK Executives to create the best track possible for our riders who will also be competing in the FMI Motocross Championship events from next February. Next Sunday 2nd February the ASMK Trials Riders will be competing their sections at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha quarry by kind collaboration of AWDC. First Sections start at around 9.00am FOOTBALL CYCLING Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club Celebrates its 60th Anniversary Eusebio Di Francesco sacked TO celebrate its 60th Anniversary, Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club launched a completely new image, new kit and new branding that lives up to its philosophy and motto 'onwards'. The launch was held at Bacchus Restaurant in Mdina. The List of distinguished guests present at the launch event also included Youth Director of the Maltese Olympic Committee, Mr Envic Galea. Founded in 1953, Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club is Malta's oldest and most successful cycling club. Over the years, the club has received numerous accolades and tributes as a result of its participation and podium finishes in local races, including the Malta National Cycling Championships and Tour of Malta. The club is a non-profit making organisation that is wholly supported by the generosity of well-known local and international brands that support the club's endeavours, both locally and abroad. Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club's commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation, led the club to set up the first Cycling Academy on the island, in 2008. The Cycling Academy has today acquired a positive widespread reputation thanks to the commitment exhibited by its qualified coaches, organisers and supporting members. The club's driving force is powered by the desire to educate and promote the development if young athletes socially, physically and psychologically. For more details contact Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club on info@mostacyclingclub.com or call on 99443080. SASSUOLO have sacked coach Eusebio Di Francesco following the team's poor run of form in Serie A. Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Livorno was Sassuolo's sixth loss in their last seven league games and dropped the Emilia-Romagna outfit to 18th in the standings. Tuesday's statement from the club read: "Sassuolo announces it has relieved Eusebio Di Francesco from his post as head coach of the first team. "Sassuolo thanks Di Francesco for the important job done in his 19 months in charge, which will remain in the club's history books. Yesterday's training session was carried out by Paolo Mandelli, who will take temporary charge until the club appoints a new manager." Di Francesco led Sassuolo to promotion to the top fight for the first time in the club's history last summer. They are one point and one place from a position of safety and host Hellas Verona on Sunday.