Muscat and Sammut win first 2014 Autocross Classes

This event took place at the ASMK Race Circuits at Ta Qali with 26 cars competing in the Autocross and Motocross championships including an Autocross class for Gozo drivers.
 
All Autocross cars competed in an anti-clockwise direction in their 6th event as per the scheduled program. This type of race which is faster than normal demands more driving skills and is more spectacular to watch where the corners can be tackled faster than normal.
 
Though the track surface was at almost optimum conditions no one driver managed to win all the three qualifying heats. Gordon Johnson won 22 from the 27 points to secure his place in the famous Class A Finals. Other Class A competitors were Malcolm Borg (35) and Manuel Muscat (60) both on Opel Corsa, Vince Farrugia on a Volkswagen Polo (41), Melo Zammit on a Ford Escort (61) and Matthew Borg on a Vauxhall Nova (14).

Muscat and Zammit made a good quick start and were followed close by the other four drivers. Soon after the first Lap Muscat started to build a gap while Borg passed Zammit who were followed by the other three cars all at high speeds. Soon Borg lost control in negotiating the tightest bend on track and jacked his car on the tyre barriers. This resulted in an easier 2nd place for Zammit with less opposition. Muscat took the Finish Flag on the 9th Lap followed by Zammit and Farrugia, Johnson and Malcolm Borg.  
 
The Autocross Class B Start Line was composed of Guzi Pace on his Ford Escort, Kurt Sammut on a Ford Ka, Josef Grech on a Ford Fiesta, Jason Martin (who returned back to Autocross) on Volkswagen Polo, Philip Joe Vella and Andrew Pisani both on Vauxhall Nova cars. From the Start Sammut took the lead which he kept to the Finish Line throughout the 9 Lap long race among 6 competitors. 2nd placed Guzi Pace could no longer resist the pressure from Josef Grech followed by Martin right to the Finish while Vella and Pisani were battling close together. Unfortunately, Vella lost control and overturned his Nova on the safety tyre barrier and retired from the race in the last 2 Laps of the race. Sammut won this Class followed by Zammit and Martin.
 
The Gozo Autocross Class Heats were dominated by Joseph Agius on a Fiesta who was followed by Domenic Zammit on an Alfa Sud and Joseph Vella on a Ford Fiesta. The 3rd and Final 7 Laps race was won by Zammit. Agius and Vella placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
 
The Motocross Class A is still well battled for the lead between Clayton Camilleri and Paul Muscat both on KTM 250cc motorcycles. Both riders are preparing to compete in the Sicilian F.M.I. MX Championship starting in next February.
Clayton won the three 17 minutes long MX race followed by Muscat who also made some passes to lead the track. Yet, Camilleri crossed the Finish Line ahead of Muscat and won 75 points to the 66 points won by Muscat. Following his Class B 2012-13 Championship win Trevor Muscat is now racing in Class A and placed 3rd with 58 points in Class A on the Day.
 
The Motocross Class B was dominated by young Kyle Camilleri riding the smallest capacity motorcycle in his class. Kyle won 2 and came 2nd in Class in his 3 Heats on the day. Pierre Jourdon is placed 2nd in Class on his KTM 150cc. Karl Micallef on a Honda 250cc is placed 3rd in Class.
 
On Sunday 19th January the Trials bikers will be competing at the L-Aura Quarry l/o Mellieha. Trials which is a non speed event is spectacular as each rider has to cover route distances on natural obstacles without putting down a foot or loosing control of his motorcycle. The competitors will be divided into a Beginners and Experienced Classes independent of the rider’s age. This event starts at 9.00am till about noon and entrance is for free.
 
More information, results and events photos are available at www.asmk.org.mt