Vatanen special guest for Gozo Grand Sprint 2010

In-house tourism to Gozo is set to receive a substantial boost in the off-season when the Malta Motorsport Federation, in conjunction with the Kunsill Malti għall-Isport, will be holding the Gozo Grand Sprint 2010 next month.

With the full backing of the Gozo Ministry and the Sports Secretariat, the federation is expecting to have between 80 and 100 entries for the Sprint 2010 which is planned for the weekend of November 20 and 21.

During the launching this week, attended by various distinguished personalities, including Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, motorsport federation president Tonio Cini revealed that rallying great Ari Vatanen had accepted an invitation to attend the Sprint 2010.

“Vatanen needs no introduction... he will be our special guest,” Cini told those present.

“He was rallying champion twice and also won the Paris-Dakar Rally four times. He also contested the FIA presidency last year but he is not renowned for his sporting achievements only.

“In fact, Vatanen was also involved in other social aspects of life in his career thanks to the roles he occupied in foreign affairs and tourism, among others.”

These political assignments were handed to Vatanen by the European Union when the Finn was member between 1999 and 2009.

Cini said the racing weekend in Gozo is bound to attract great interest.

“Sprint 2010 will be an all-round effort with backing coming from different quarters, not least the Island Car Club and the Valletta Grand Prix Foundation. This will be a special event and coverage will also extend beyond our shores as Italian journalists will also be here to report on the racing weekend,” he said.

During the launching, details were also given of the routes to be adopted for Sprint 2010.

The circuit, 3.15 kilometres long, stretches from the outskirts of Gozitan capital Rabat to Xagħra.