Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/578491
21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2015 MOTORSPORTS FORMULA 1 HAAS F1 Team has confirmed that it has signed Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, as it continues prepara- tions for its debut season in 2016, during a press conference at its headquarters in the United States. Gene Haas' eponymous squad previously outlined plans to sign an experienced Formula 1 driver and, having sounded out several racers, it was able to convince Grosjean to move across from Lotus. Grosjean had looked set to ex- tend his stay with Lotus for a fifth straight season, but with the En- stone-based team's future yet to be settled, he has opted to jump ship to the new Ferrari-associated Haas outfit. "What Gene Haas and everyone at Haas F1 Team is building is im- pressive, and I'm very proud to be a part of it," said Grosjean, after confirmation of his deal was an- nounced. "Formula 1 is incredibly com- petitive and the only way to suc- ceed is by finding new ways of do- ing things. "This is a new opportunity with a new team that is taking a very different approach to Formula 1. I believe in their approach and they believe in me. "While I am committed to giv- ing my absolute best to my current team in these last five races [with Lotus], I am very excited for what the future holds at Haas F1 Team." "We wanted an experienced driv- er capable of developing our car and our race team into one that can score points and better itself each race and each season. We found him in Romain Grosjean," added Haas. "I've been involved in motorsports for a long time and learned early on the most crucial component is the driver. Romain has strong creden- tials and he will be an important asset to Haas F1 Team." Grosjean is expected to be part- nered at Haas by current Ferrari tester Esteban Gutiérrez. Haas F1 confirms Grosjean as first driver ASMK Endurance Race next Saturday ON Saturday 3 October the As- socjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karo- zzi (ASMK) will be organising an Autocross Endurance Race at the Association Sports Complex in Ta 'Qali. This Malta Records Race attempt starts at 8:00 pm under artificial lighting throughout the "Endurance Race". This race lasts one full hour plus one lap. The winning car and team is the car who succeeds in making the most laps during this time. In last year's edition Emanuel Muscat recorded 94 Laps. This time the Associa- tion decided trying to overcome last year's record which is also registered in the 'Malta Records' as the longest car race on Offroad track in Malta. Till today there is no event of this kind in motor- sport that is registered. For this event 8 to 10 cars are expected to participate with a maximum of three drivers per car during the Hour. Under stringent regulations each competitor must follow the race rules or otherwise a number of Laps will be deducted instead of penalty points. During the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2015 the Association (ASMK) success- fully organized the Second Auto- cross Cars event in Sannat Gozo. This was possible with the col- laboration and assistance of the Minister for Gozo who offered his support towards ASMK to hold two motorsport events in Gozo during this year. One was the mo- torcycling Enduro race held last April and this event for Cars held on Sunday 20th September. Work on the Autocross tempo- rary racetrack in Sannat lasted a week. ASMK brought over the necessary machinery from Malta together with works performed by Government Gozo Ministry Workers, Gozo contractors sup- porting this event and ASMK Officials. The works were well organised by ASMK Officials on site. The Association wishes to thank the Curmi and Cassar families who are the owners of the site land in Sannat to be converted into a temporary Autocross track for a few days. Thanks to are di- rected to the Xewkija and Sannat Local Councils, the Gozo Police Corps, the Works Department in Gozo, the Gozo Sports Board and finally and not least special thanks to Apap Family of Victoria for assisting the ASMK Officials in any problem encountered dur- ing this week. As this activity was held to col- lect funds in aid of 'Arka Founda- tion' thanks go too to the generos- ity of the spectators watching the event and contributing their do- nation. ASMK collected € 810.00 for ARKA Foundation. During the presentation of tro- phies to the winners ASMK Presi- dent said that Fr Michael Galea by Arka Foundation could not be with us because he was abroad yet Rev. Michael passed his thanks to ASMK for the donation collected within a few hours in Gozo. During the presentation of tro- phies to the winning competitors Dr. Grezzju Mercieca was present and representing the Minister for Gozo also made words for the oc- casion and he thanked all present especially the ASMK Officers who within a few days converted a field into a Motorsport Complex for Autocross to raise funds for ASKA. Frans Deguara President of the Association thanked all present and said that if the aid is provided again next year the Association will come over again to organize more events for cars and motorcy- cles in Gozo over the coming year for all Maltese and Gozo drivers too. Meanwhile look at the Sunday competition event in Gozo where 30 competitors registered for this competition. The competitors were divided into four classes mainly for Modified Autocross cars driven by Maltese drivers and another Class for Gozo drivers. The Standard Autocross car driv- ers were also divided for Maltese and Gozo drivers so each class stands better chances in competi- tion. In the Autocross by Maltese drivers Henry Borg on his Alfa Sud and Christian Apap on a Ford Fiesta both dominated the day by winning all the heats of the day thus they sealed their place in the Class A Finals. Jonathan Camill- eri also qualified on an Opel Cor- sa, Jurgen Mallia on his Honda Civic and Godwin Martin on the Peugeot 206. On the start of this Race Final Borg and Camilleri immediately took the lead fol- lowed by Apap and Mallia. Soon Apap started adding pressure and overtook on Camilleri during the second Lap. Borg won the race followed by Apap and Camilleri. Mallia and Martin respectively finished in fourth and fifth place. In Autocross Class B Final we saw Ivan Birmingham on his Suzuki Swift winning this fi- nal ahead of JeanPaul Grech on a Peugeot 106. Third place was won by Noel Zammit on a vintage Hillman IMP. Matthew Galea on Ford Escort and Joseph Micallef on an Opel Corsa finished the day in fourth and fifth place respec- tively. In the Gozo Autocross drivers Class ww saw Marvin Grima on his Opel Corsa winning the day followed by Cecil Cefai on his Ford Escort Mk 2. Marvic Vassal- lo on Ford Escort finished in 3rd place while Joseph Gauci finished in 4th place of this fast race. In the Standard Autocross Class for Maltese drivers Deane Farru- gia on Citroen AX won the Race Final. He was followed by Traydon Bailey on his Ford Ka. Johann Vel- la on Opel Corsa finished in third place and Ryan Vella on a Peugeot 205 finished in 4th place. John Agius on Peugeot 206 finished the day in fifth place following a spin. In the Gozo Autocross Standard Class we saw a compat for the lead between the Sultana cousins who also dominated the Haets. Chris on his Mazda won the day's Final followed by Ivan on a Peugeot 106. Lawrence Galea on a Honda Civic finished in third place. Meanwhile the Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi (ASMK) announced a small change in the Events Calendar for the 2015/2016 season. The Trials will launch their first event on Sunday 18 October 2015 in the Quarry Tal- Ballut L/o Naxxar. The Autocross and Motocross events starts on 25 October 2015. The Enduro sea- son dates are expected to be an- nounced in the coming days. For more information visit the site www.asmk.org.mt L-ASMK donates €810 to the ARKA Foundation in Sannat Henry Borg PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW BEN