Curmi on top in Cesaro

Grimaldi Team Malta driver Alan Curmi made it two out of two for Maltese drivers when he emulated Zach Zammit's 2008 performance to win this year's Trofeo Citta di Cesaro, held in Sicily last weekend.

There were 120 drivers taking part in this popular hill climb over two days with scrutineering held on Saturday morning. The road was closed for free practice during the afternoon, then three runs up the three-kilometre hill on Sunday followed by the presentation of awards in the village square by the Mayor of Cesaro and other dignatories.

Five Maltese drivers and cars made the trip on the Grimaldi ferry on Thursday, headed by Team manager Joe Anastasi. These consisted of three single-seater racing cars for Patrick Gauci (Hawke Kawasaki), Alan Curmi (JBR-3 Kawasaki) and current ICC hill climb champion Joshua Anastasi (JBR-4 Kawasaki), and two saloons driven by Nikolai Degiorgio (Lancia Delta Integrale) and Etienne Grech (Citroen AX GTI).

Having had plenty of practice, and no trouble with the cars whatsoever on Saturday, the Malta team woke with optimism on Sunday.

Racing started at 9.30 a.m. and it was immediately clear that not only were all five Grimaldi Team cars impressive, but they were also making very competitive times.

In fact, at the end of the first of the two timed runs, Curmi headed the time sheets comfortably, much to the delight of mechanic Simon Muscat. This was Curmi's first overall win, and it couldn't have come at a better place.

Curmi was followed by Joshua Anastasi, and this is how it remained throughout the day.

Degiorgio had the crowds cheering whenever he drove up the hill, the black Lancia sounding as impressive as ever, and gaining another class win, and Grech was enjoying a real ding-dong with the many other competitors in his class.

Gauci was the only one not having a trouble-free day, his car jumping out of gear at the most inopportune of moments.

At the presentation, the Grimaldi Team was singled out for its sportsmanship and team spirit, and, of course, for the outstanding performance of the cars.

"These are the sort of compliments I like to hear," team manager Joe Anastasi remarked.

"It's the sort of encouragement that makes one go on, despite the many difficulties. I too am delighted with the performance of all our boys, and very proud to be managing such an excellent group of drivers."