Zammit excels at Mtahleb

The third round from the 2014 Grimaldi lines Hillclimb and Sprint Championship held earlier this month saw an entry field of 63 drivers, all vying for the honours at the technically challenging street circuit in Mtaħleb.

Karl Spiteri onboard his Ray Formula. Photo by Ray Axixsa
Karl Spiteri onboard his Ray Formula. Photo by Ray Axixsa

By Etienne Grech

Zach Zammit, the 2012 champion who won this season’s first hillclimb race in March produced a flawless drive from start to finish in his Urban Jungle Ralt managing an excellent time of 52.359sec.

The cloudy weather at dawn yet again looked very unreliable; in fact various parts of the island had light rain precipitation. Luckily at Mtahleb the weather turned out to be good and by mid morning the racing was favoured in no time.

Mark Micallef who won the 2013 championship came second in his Autotradermalta-MBL Radical Prosport(52.852sec).

Jonathon Tonna was third after a fine display in his Fat Harry’s Tatuus with an excellent time of 52.947sec.

Keith Camilleri, winner of the previous hill climb at Ta’Penellu by-pass, Mellieha managed fourth place (53.360sec) with his Chevron Creative Solutions Radical Prosport.

James Dunford on board his Simon’s Garage Radical PR6 grabbed fifth place (53.983sec) whilst Nikolai Degiorgio grabbed sixth place in his Doda Good Earth Radical PR6.

Alexander Zammit won the veteran class in his Bali Stuff Radical Prosport, placing 7th overall (54.715sec).

Action at Mtaħleb was not only reserved to single-seaters alone as the top saloon cars got engaged in a tense competition, many of them improving personal best times.

The honours for fastest four-wheel drive cars went to Steve Baldachino at the wheel of his red Subaru Impreza.

Didier Bugeja (Peugeot) placed first in the front-wheel drive category with his Peugeot 106 whilst John Zammit’s black Lotus Elise was quickest in the rear-wheel drive series, placing 13th overall.

The next race from the ICC championship will take place this weekend at Xaghra, Gozo. The event commences on Saturday afternoon (practice session) and the official race will take place on Sunday morning.