Sicily – a happy hunting ground for Malta drivers

On three weekends in succession in Sicily, Maltese drivers have placed very favourably in karting, circuit racing and hill climb events, thus continuing the successful trend of the last four years.

Young Trevor Zahra started off the hat-trick by placing excellently in the most recent round of the Sicilian karting championship at the Kartodromo Sole Luna at Vittoria just three weeks ago.

Zahra is just one of a number of young Maltese karters who have recently been making their mark in Sicily. Others include Gianluca Dingli and Lucas Pace.

At the same Vittoria circuit just one week later, Domenic Zammit flew the Malta flag high when at his first attempt outside our shores he not only won his class but was also fastest in Group N and seventh overall out of over 50 competitors.

The event was the third round of the Vittoria championship for cars and Zammit was driving his Alfasud 1500.

Last weekend, at the fourth Cesaro hillclimb, Alan Curmi placed his Radical PR6 Suzuki second in class and fourth overall.

Cesaro is a favourite for the Maltese, a local driver having won overall on each of the last three editions.

In 2009, it was Zach Zammit driving his Ralt Honda. Curmi won overall with his JBR-3 Kawasaki the following year, and in 2010 it was Matthew Zammit who clinched his first overall win in Sicily driving his Van Diemen Suzuki.

Members of Motorsport Team Malta are now getting ready for the next round of the Campionato Siciliano di Velocità in Pista promoted by AICS at the Autodromo Valle dei Templi at Racalmuto in September.

This championship has already produced two Maltese champions, namely, Joshua Anastasi in 2009 and Curmi in 2010. Both are well placed to win their respective classes again this season.