Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/304008
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 APRIL 2014 Sport 22 MOTORSPORTS Keith Camilleri dominates Mellieha Hill Climb ETIENNE GRECH THE second round from the 2014 Island Car Club (ICC) Hillclimb Championship, sponsored by Grimaldi Lines, was held recently at Penellu by-pass, Mellieha. Keith Camilleri, driving his Chevron Creative Solutions Radi- cal Prosport, proudly climbed to the highest step of the podium for the first time after clocking the hill in 56.852sec. He showed he was on top of his form from the begin- ning as he stormed up the hill in a startling manner to secure his first ever overall victory. Camilleri recently attended a professional test session with Mal- ta Formula Racing supervised by a top Italian Formula 3 racing team. The 21 year-old successfully com- pleted 60 laps in a Dallara F3 racing car at the Franciacorta Race Track in Milan and he showed many that he is a talented driver that can de- liver a promising F4 championship in the near future. The weather turned out to be good seeing that the early morning showers made this event precari- ous. A total of 72 cars participated, varying from standard production cars, classic cars, stripped-out race cars and single-seater Formula type racers. The organisers again made sure that all aspects concerning the safe and efficient running of the race were in place. The incident- packed session saw minor crashes, numerous mechanical failures and occasional drifting but by the end of this exciting event, the club was congratulated profoundly for a professionally run event that was above all safe and attractive, con- sidering the large crowds of local motorsport enthusiasts that at- tended. The hillclimb ran smooth- ly also thanks to the co-operation of the Mellieħa Local Council and the army of volunteers and race marshals. Zach Zammit, who drove im- peccably in his Urban Jungle Ralt (57.153sec), was runner-up just over three tenths of a second away from the leader grabbing yet an- other podium finish. 2013 champion Mark Micallef in his Autotradermalta-MBL Radi- cal Prosport had to settle for third place (57.470sec). He performed well and was just over three tenths of a second behind Zammit. This particular venue has always proved to be a dramatic race up the top of the steep, demanding hill which is considered by many as one of Malta's best race-suited roads. Fabio Baldacchino made a great comeback after being absent for some time. He steered his Tony's Bar OMS 200M to fourth place clocking a time of 59.625sec. Nikolai Degorgio attained fifth place in his Doda Radical PR6 (60.004sec) ahead of James Dun- ford at the wheel of his Simons Ga- rage Radical PR6 (60.855sec). Alex Zammit won best per- formance in the veteran category, achieving an excellent time of 60.922sec in his Bali Stuff Radical Pro Sport, ranking 7th overall. Noel Galea was fastest in rear wheel drive group ranking 13th overall. He produced an thunder- ous performance in his Ford Es- cort Mk2 edging off John Zammit in his turbo-charged Lotus Elise by a narrow 5 thousandth of a sec- ond. Edward Calleja also driving a Lotus Elise managed a reputable comeback under a second away from Zammit to grab third place. Chris Aquilina, in his Subaru Im- preza claimed fastest four-wheel drive time ahead of Anthony Ber- nard in his Mitsubishi Evo6 and Si- mon Tabone (Toyota Celica GT4). Another excellent drive came from Roswell Bugeja. He was fast- est of the front-wheelers in his f lamboyant Peugeot 205 Gti. His brother Didier Bugeja took the run- ner-up position in his Peugeot 106 GTi whilst Jeremy Cassar placed third in his Volkswagen Golf Gti. The next championship race is scheduled for this coming Sunday at the prominent Mtahleb Hill, limits of Rabat. Over 60 drivers are expected to race against the clock. The first run of the day com- mences at 9am. Noel Galea in his Ford Escort Mk2 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID AXISA Podium for Gauci in Qrendi and Camilleri and Muscat in Messina ASSOCJAZZJONI Sport Muturi u Karozzi Enduro and Motocross riders were competing on the same day at Qrendi and in '222 Moto- cross Park in Messina. The 3 riders forming Team Mal- ta are motocross riders Clayton Camilleri (KTM), Paul Muscat (KTM) and Edward Ciantar on a Kawasaki. They left Malta on Virtu Ferries catamaran very early Friday morning and drove all the way to Patti in Messina to compete in the 2nd race of the F.M.I. Re- gional Motocross championship. The track conditions at the '222 Motocross Park in Patti were bad due to bad weather for all competi- tors especially for our Maltese rid- ers who are not used to ride in such conditions. But, following practice runs on Friday afternoon our rid- ers got used to the present track conditions. Motorcycle modifica- tions and settings were carried out on Saturday morning and all was ready for Sunday's racing with the best riders on track. Good results seemed promis- ing as soon as soon as the Maltese riders raced for Pole on Sunday. Following two hard raced Heats Paul Muscat won 1st overall in the Master Class. Clayton Camilleri who also performed very well on the day and racing in a very popu- lated class won 3rd Overall in the 'MX2 Over 21' class. Thus, Paul and Clayton both won Podium placings. Edward Ciantar riding a 250cc Kawasaki was experiencing his first ever off-shore race in Moto- cross. Despite all this Edward who won 9th place overall among 21 rid- ers in the 'MX2 Amatoriale' Class is very satisfied with his result and he is determined to improve his placing in his next race. All these FMI racing in Sicily is made pos- sible through the intervention of ASMK and supported by Virtu Ferries among other sponsors. Last Sunday 27th April ASMK was busy organising an Enduro race at the rock cutting quarry known as 'tax-Xaghra tal-Magh- luq' limits of Qrendi. 31 registered riders divided into 3 classes drove their bikes on all kinds of terrain on the 4 kilometer long course in about 6 minutes per Heat. James Zahra riding an MX 250cc Yamaha won his class 'A' with a best time of 5 mins. 29.07 secs. Joseph Scicluna riding a Honda 125cc won 2nd place with his 5 mins. 42.88 secs. Ian Scicluna is 3rd placed on his Honda 250cc with 6 mins. 29.58 secs. Matthew Gauci, an experienced Enduro rider won the 'Over 250cc Class 'B' on his 30cc KTM bike. His best in Class won him his best Overall Riders Prize too with 5 mins. 23.08 secs. 2nd Place goes to Alex Sant Fornier on a KTM 450cc with 6 mins. 8.51 secs. While Mat- thew Salomon won 3rd place on his KTM 530cc with his best time of 6 mins. 11.59 secs which is very close to ASF time. The Trials Class 'C' was also bat- tled mainly between the younger riders. Rowen Bonello riding his Beta 290cc won his class in 6 mins. 11.28 secs. Fredrick Bonello riding a Gas Gas 280cc won 2nd place and Manuel Camilleri on anoth- er 280cc Gas Gas won 3rd in his Class in 8 mins. 51.55 secs. ASMK thanks all supporting sponsors Dunlop, KTM and Tho- mas Smith Insurance. Next Saturday 3rd April ASMk will be organizing the Practice Sessions for the next Sunday's race on the 4th April. The Auto- cross will be competing their 13th ASMK Pasta Poiatti event and the Motocross will be compet- ing their 5th championship races. Saturday's Practice sessions start at 2.00pm while Sunday's racing starts at 12.00 noon. More information and photos are available at w w w.asmk.org.mt/ Download the MaltaToday App now