ASMK races at Ta’ Qali – First Enduro Racers in Sicily

33 competitors demonstrated their skills in a number of races where some a also challenging the points scales as the championship is nearing its end just before the summer heat takes over.
 
All the three qualifying heats were highly competitive and racing challenged both the drivers and vehicles endurance. Christian Galea and Andrew Pisani won all the three heats thus qualified for the Class A Finals. Melo Zammit on a Ford Escort, Patrick Cassar on an Opel Corsa, Josef Grech on a Ford Fiesta and Vince Farrugia on his VW Polo also qualified for the Top Class A finals.
 
Christian Galea and Patrick Cassar drew great attention of most spectators as both are at the top of the points scale of the Class A Championship. As the Red Lights turned off both Cassar and Galea took the lead and were abreast and sporty for the first several meters on the track when a mechanical failure struck the steering system on Cassar’s Opel who was forced to retire. Zammit took Cassar’s place yet he had pressure from Farrugia (VW Polo) and Pisani on his Nova. Farrugia did not succeed to beat Zammit right to the Finish. Galea kept his lead ahead of Zammit (Escort 3) and Farrugia (VW Polo).
 
Autocross Class B starters were  Mario Scicluna and Ryan Scerri both on Opel Corsa, Godfrey Gauci on a Ford Fiesta, Philip Joe Vella on an Opel Nova, Guzi Pace on a Ford Escort u Kurt Sammut on a Ford Ka. Mario Scicluna with having a chance of winning the Class B Championship took the lead ahead of Philip Joe Vella right from the Start. Both were followed by Scerri and Sammut a few meters back. At one moment in time Scerri played a move to overtake Philip Vella but instead, Sammut passed Scerri who held this position in 3rd place to the race finish. Mario Scicluna, Philip Vella and Kurt Sammut placed 1st, 2nd  and 3rd respectively.
 
The ASMK Motocross championship is nearing the end too. Class A rider Clayton Camilleri riding a KTM 250cc is leading the Class A list ahead of Paul Muscat on another KTM. Edward Ciantar on a Suzuki RMZ is also back on track. Due to an abnormal situation during the Heats, the published results placing is provisional.
 
Joseph Bigeni from Xaghra Gozo dominated the Motocross Class B races. At times Joseph was closely followed by Trevor Muscat on a KTM who was battling ahead Brandon Cassar Muscat on a Yamaha YZF. These three riders lead the Class B Championship points.
 
On Sunday 5th May three ASMK Enduro members participated in an FMI Enduro Championship race in Francavilla in Sicily. Thanks to ASMK and Virtu Ferries our Enduro riders Nik Abela, Andrew Cassar and Andrew Albanozzo completed all the 4 race stages each of which was 1 hr 15mins long. Each stage consisted of one timed Cross Section, a timed Enduro Section and untimed Liason sections too. Unfortunately, the Liason Sections were not well marked which resulted the Maltese team members taking wrong routes loosing precious time and thus gain penalty points.
 
Moto Club Scicli members welcomed the Maltese riders to use their paddock and facilities and helped in refuelling and bike preparation too. Despite all this the Maltese Enduro riders stated that the standard of riding is very high and this race has served as a great learning curve to better prepare themselves for the next FMI Enduro race.
Despite all the difficulties during the event the Malta team could not wait for the awards ceremony. Andrew Cassar was given a 3rd Prize trophy for T3 class. Nicolai Abela came 4th in the T3 class and we still have to confirm the placement of Andrew Albanozzo in the T2 Class.
Next ASMK Championship event at TA Qali is going to be held on Sunday 19 May when the Motocross Championships will be concluded. The Autocross Championships will terminate after the next 3 events.