Larkin Butler wins ASMK Demolition for l-Istrina

On Sunday 21 December 2014 ‘Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi’ ASMK organized the 21st edition named ‘ASMK ghall Istrina’. Several races were held by the Autocross and Motocross sections which dominated the morning session till early afternoon. 'Autocross Rides’ were held following the Autocross Finals and before the start of the Car Demolition Derby.

At about 11:30am the Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, the Youth and Sport Chris Agius MP and the spoke person for Sport on the part of the Opposition Hon Robert Cutajar MP were welcomed by all present and enjoyed seeing some racing as the program progressed. During the visit the MP’s thanked ASMK committee and members for their good work on voluntary basis and exchanged greetings for Christmas and the New Year as is common practice. Later both MP’s were also presented with mementos by ASMK President Frans Deguara and Secretary General Johann Pace.
 
For this 2014 edition of the Demolition Derby six cars were well prepared with safety features. These were driven to scrap by Jason Magro on Marina Box Van, Leo Butler on Marina Ital, Clive Sammut on Lada Estate, Larkin Butler, Clint Farrugia and Clayton Muscat all on Volvo 740 models. At around 04:15pm the battle to win was put in practice at the drop of the Start Flag. The crowd behind the safety fence watched eagerly to guess a winner.
 
In this edition one was stuck in a mud pool while others battled for survival. Soon the Lada Estate driven by Sammut and a Marina van driven by Magro drew the attention of the public. It was also clear of who was the most cleaver to survive the punishment in a sporting manner. As time passed by the only two still moving vehicles were the Marina of Magro and the Volvo of Larkin Butler who later were declared as winner and Runner-up of this 2014 Demolition Derby. They were presented with large trophies among cheers from team mates and spectators too.
This Demolition, the Autocross Rides and other motorsport on site manages to raise €1575 which were collected from donations in favor of Istrina at the ASMK Circuit gates.
 
During the day’s program 51 competitors took part among the Autocross and Motocross. The Autocross cars were divided into three classes, that for Modified cars, for Standard cars and another for Gozo drivers.
 
The qualifiers for the Autocross Modified Class A finals were Vince Farrugia and Jason Martin both on a Volkswagen Polo, Christian Mark Galea on his Fiat Ritmo, Philip Joe Vella on an Opel Corsa, Andrew Pisani on a Vauxhall Nova and Martin Godwin on an Opel Corsa. From the start Godwin took the helm of the race followed by Galea and Farrugia. Galea added pressure on Godwin until the third lap when Galea took the lead and Godwin lost his place to the finish. Galea won this race final ahead of Godwin and Farrugia. Fourth and fifth places were Jason Martin and Pisani, Vella finished in 6th place.
 
The Start Line of Class B Finals were Matthew Borg on a Vauxhall Nova, Godfrey Gauci and Christian Apap both on a Ford Fiesta, Noel Vella on his Ford Escort, Jonathan Camilleri on an Opel Corsa and Pedro Attard on his blue Fiat X19. From the Start Camilleri made a very good launch and took the lead ahead of Apap and Borg. As the race progressed there was no overtaking yet the race was close and exciting. After seven laps new-comer Camilleri registered his first win in this class. He was followed by Apap and Borg. Fourth and fifth place went to Vella and Gauci. Attard retired from the race and placed 6th.
 
The Autocross Standard Class Championship which is catching on rapidly was won by Joseph Martin on a Peugeot 206. He won his first race in this class followed by Deane Farrugia on a Citroen AX. Third place went to Vella on Ford Fiesta.

In Gozo Autocross class Dominic Zammit on his Alfa Sud dominated all the heats of the day including the final race. Zammit was followed close by Joseph Agius on Ford Fiesta in second place. Third and fourth places were Chris Sultana on Honda and Luke Joseph Gauci on an Alfa Sud.
 
The Motocross riders saw 22 competitors which were divided into two main classes. In class A Paul Muscat and Clayton Camilleri both on KTM dominated the day and offered great spectacle while racing. Paul and Clayton finished the day with the same score of 52 points each yet Muscat was declared winner of the day as he won first in his final race. Edward Ciantar finished in third overall on a Kawasaki with 43 points.
 
In Class B we saw strong competition from Ludvic Muscat on KTM for the second time. He dominated the class and finished the day in first place with 55 points. Robert Spiteri on Yamaha followed and closed the day with 47 points. Adam Sultana finished in third place with 45 points on a Kawasaki while fourth place was won by Elvin Debono on a Kawasaki with 43 points.
 
In ‘Open Class Race’ Clayton Camilleri on a KTM was seen to win this race while brothers Paul and Trevor Muscat both on a KTM too finished this race in 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Fourth place was won by Stefan Dimech on his Honda.

Meanwhile the Association ASMK - Committee and members – extend their best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all spectators and supporters.
Next events of the Association are scheduled to continue on Sunday 4 January 2015 when the second Enduro race will take place at the ASMK Sports Complex at Ta’ Qali and starting at 9: 00am. The Autocross ASMK Pasta Poiatti Championship races will continue on Sunday 11 January 2015.