News

Home

News

Camilleri Clinches 12th Championship

Gnejna Bay was the venue for the last instalment of the Island Car Club’s 2011 season. This year’s final race, once again was the championship decider. With Zach Zammit, Alan Curmi and Hubert Camilleri all in contention for the overall championship. The windy weather threw in an additional challenge for drivers on the day, as sand from the beach was blown onto the track, creating patches of loose traction. These combined with debris carried down the valley by the previous night’s rain created the most challenging of conditions for the drivers to compete on.

As the race began, it became evident that the result was going to be a close one, and that it would be a battle fought to the last run. With Zammit leading the way, followed by Camilleri after the first run the possibility of a tie emerged. Highlights of this run were Nikolai De Giorgio’s impressive performance in his Lancia Integralle, ranking fourth overall, ahead of many single seater race cars.

The second and final run of the day saw Camilleri clinch the overall ranking, with the fastest time of the day at 35.44, beating Zammit by a tenth of a second. They were followed by Jason Zammit in his Radical and De Giorgio in his Lancia.

Teddy Aquilina was the fastest driver in Group four, whilst Didier Bugeja led Group 2. The Fastest driver in the standard Group 1 class was Joe Vella.

The season has now drawn to a close, and will re open next spring. The Island Car Club would like to thank all Mayors, local councils and government entities for their continued support and cooperation throughout the season.

Championship Wide Open at Last Race

Ivan_Deiduns_Sports_Prototype_debued_last_Sunday_to_the__crowds_delight_-_Phot_courtesy_of_David_Axisa

Championship Wide Open at Last Race

The Island Car Club revisited Mtahleb for the seventh race of the 2011 Hillclimb Championship last Sunday, in what turned out to be an intense event that resulted in the championship being thrown wide open again, with three drivers now in contention for top honors.

The initial feedback from drivers was that the water streaming down the valley was causing patches of dampness. With the result that grip was inconsistent and sporadic, this led to drivers erring on the side of caution, waiting for the conditions to improve before pushing their cars to limit. Nonetheless, times put in at this juncture were comparable to the final times of the previous event , which was held in perfect conditions and with a much higher asphalt temperature, indicative of the ongoing improvement in the level of driving in the championship.

Once the practice run was done and dusted, drivers began to tackle the road in earnest. With times dropping by as much as two seconds per run, it was evident that drivers were gunning for victory in this penultimate race, with spectators regaled with some demonstrations of superb car control.

Final ranking was as follows: Alan Curmi, Zach Zammit and Jason Muscat in first, second and third overall. Group four was led by Joseph Cutajar, followed by Teddy Aquilina and Philip Tabone. Nicolai de Giorgio, Edward Calleja and Evan Abela Scolara lead group three in that order, whilst Anthony Bernard, Andrew Cassar and Didier Bugeja where the fastest three in group2. James Dunford was the fastest in Group 1, followed by Fabio Baldachino and Terrence Vella.

The Island Car Club would like to thank the rabat local council, in particular the major; Mr Sandro Craus for making this event possible. The next event will be held next Tuesday the 13^th December at Gnejna. More information and the full ranking of the event maybe found at www.islandcarclub.com

Curmi Triumphs in Xaghra

Alan_Curmi_wringing_out_every_last_ounce_of_speed_from_his_car_at_last_Sundays_Hillclimb

Last Sunday’s poor weather did little to hinder the Island Car Club’s Hillclimb, held in Xaghra. The successful conclusion of the second wet event in as many weeks (following the Mdina Grand Prix) further established the club’s reputation as the leading motorsport organisers on the Island.

A firm favourite in the national motorsport calendar, the Xaghra Hillclimb usually offers on the largest grids on the season. With many casual Gozitan drivers participating alongside the usual contender, this event was no exception, with 75 entries vying for honours.

The fastest time of the day was recorded by Alan Curmi, followed by Zach Zammit and Hubert Camilleri. Alex Zammit led the sports prototype class, whilst Teddy Aquilina was fastest in Group 4, followed by Philip Tabone and Jesmond Mangion in second and third positions respectively.

John Zammit put in a blistering time, propelling him ahead of the rest of the competition in Group 3, Peter Borg and Jean Paul Azzopardi classified in second and third in this class respectively.

Didier Bugeja, Mario Aguis and Jan Sammut were on the podium for Group 2, whilst Group 1 was led by James Dunford, Chris Aquilina and Darren Camilleri.

The next event will be held on the 13^th November at t’Alla u Ommu, stretching from Salini to Naxxar.

Motorsport Returns To Gozo

Motorsport_Mini_Racing_at_Gozo_Hillclimb_Sprint

The Sixth round of the Island Car Club Hillclimb Championship will take place next Sunday at Xaghra.

This venue in the Island Car Club’s calendar features one of the larger entry lists of the season, with many Gozitan participants making the most of the opportunity to use their vehicles’ competitively, in a controlled and safe environment.

It is anticipated that spectators will be in for a treat, as the championship enters its final leg. With point leaders desperate to extend their lead, and hopefuls eager to pounce at any chance to close the gap between them and first place the racing is bound to close.

The first runs will start at 9:00 am sharp, and will be followed by a timed practice run, following which the timed ‘race’ runs will be held. The paddock will be open to the public, allowing spectators to get a close look at the cars and mingle with the drivers.

More Articles...