Hubert Camilleri heads Maltese eruption at Etna Hillclimb

Grimaldi Team Malta again dominated the hillclimb scene at the Etna Hillclimb last Sunday. The overcast weather might have dampened the roads but it had no such effect on the 12 Maltese drivers who participated and once again made the country proud through their speed and sporting spirit.

Sunday dawned dry but humid, with menacing clouds rising from behind the Etna. So the organisers made a snap decision to consider the time of the practice run in the race results should the race be abandoned because of rain.

With all 270 competitors present another sensible decision was taken to set off earlier than scheduled so that by 8.30 a.m. the first group of cars were promptly under starter's orders.

First from the Maltese entries to leave was Mark Galea (Prestige Properties Subaru Impreza WRX). After a display of sideways driving which had the crowds applauding throughout the three-kilometre hill, he stopped the clocks on 1.47.21 which was good enough to hold first place overall for well over an hour.

Noel Galea was next, driving David Grech's Ford Fiesta and he, too, produced a time which put him in a comfortable class lead. He was soon followed by the first of the Team Malta drivers, John Zammit with his Urban Jungle Lotus Elise and Italian hillclimbing newcomer Michael Fenech (Audi TT).

David Anastasi had repaired the slight damage caused to his Chilli Mini Doda Honda at Cesaro and raked up a clean run to lead his class of eight competitors with a time of 1.49.86.

As car after car took the start it was the turn of Nicolai De Giorgio with his potent, black, Good Earth Lancia Delta Integrale.

I was at the start, commentating the race and as the light turned to green the Lancia was off like a flash. De Giorgio disappeared into the distance, arriving at the finish to a roar of applause as he had just pipped Galea for the fastest time so far. So, at about three-quarters of the first run it was Team Malta one and two.

Now it was time for the single-seaters and prototypes. First off was Italian Maria La Rosa, 20, with her Formula Abarth Suzuki. La Rosa knows the hill like the back of her hand, so it was expected that she would put in a good time, which she did - 1.37.72.

Matthew Zammit was next with his Service Express Van Diemen Suzuki. He and his father Alex were just recovering from a pretty dramatic morning as, on the way to the start, they discovered that the clutch was slipping and a quick rebuild was in order. A measured first run of 1.40.39 was a good indicator that the clutch was functioning and augured well for Run Two.

More Maltese drivers followed. These were Joshua Anastasi (John Bull Racing, Ryans, Dunlop, Shell JBR3 Kawasaki), Steve Zammit Cutajar (Doda Dunlop Tatuus Suzuki) and Cesaro winner Zach Zammit (Urban Jungle Dunlop Ralt RT37 Honda).

Just before the race Joshua had discovered that his new on-board camera was missing. The upset was in fact reflected in his performance which was full of mistakes and not as quick as he should have been.

Zammit Cutajar, too, drove up cautiously on this first run, registering a good time but receiving a 10-second penalty for missing a chicane.

Zammit's day started on a disastrous note. While acclim-atising himself with the conditions on the way to the venue, his car snapped under acceleration and planted itself into an unforgiving lava wall.

With the nose and front wings removed he limped the Ralt to the paddock where a quick repair job was undertaken by engineer Joe Borg with the help of Maurice Caruana and others. He was cautious in his timed run but good enough to go fourth overall.

Malta multiple champion Hubert Camilleri was next with his Silkolene Avon Koni Chevron B39 Cosworth, and he didn't hang around. He made a blistering getaway and must have carried on at the same pace throughout the route for when he crossed the finish, the time display showed the fastest time of the day, 1.35.71.

Camilleri had got it right first time, having opened a comfortable two-second cushion between himself and La Rosa.

Veteran Lino Brincat (Bardahl Dallara 388 Alfa Romeo) was composed, absorbing the road and conditions as he went. But this was no time for learning as the rain was coming and he could end up without a second chance.

Four cars from the top sports racer "prototipi" followed with Giuseppe Camarda fastest in his Osella PA21 BMW and slotting into third place overall behind Camilleri and La Rosa, so all was set for Run Two.

Towards the end of Run One, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Clyde Puli turned up and met the Maltese drivers as the temperatures got lower and the day darker and damper.

Mark Galea improved his time further to ensure a comfortable class win and a possible slot in the top 10. Noel Galea improved considerably but was eclipsed in class by an even faster competitor while Zammit also did better but could do little about the much faster X19 of Giuseppe Nane.

De Giorgio was next but rain started to fall as he got past the two-kilometre mark. This caught him out and he clipped a kerb and retired.

After some discussion the organisers declared a 'wet race' but few competitors responded. David Anastasi attempted his run but found the conditions impossible on slick tyres. He was, in fact, the last competitor to run, after which the race was abandoned. Camilleri was declared the winner.

At the presentation ceremony, there were nothing but compliments for the Maltese. Team Malta again claimed the great majority of the awards, with seven drivers in the top 10 overall, and numerous class wins. The next UISP hillclimb takes place in Taormina on October 26.