Maltese duo brave the weather in Melilli

Clayton Mizzi won the final race of the Leotta Trophy, first round, at the Pista del Sole in Melilli last weekend as his compatriot Adrian Cauchi went on to make it a memorable day for Maltese motor sport by clocking the fastest lap of 59.058 seconds.

Mizzi completed the 15 laps ahead of Cauchi in 13 minutes 59.121 seconds, recording his best time in the sixth lap in 59.096 seconds. This shows the keen competition between the two Maltese drivers in Sicily.

The circuit in Mellili was totally drenched with rain, so much so that six Italian drivers withdrew from competition.

This was the second time that Cauchi was racing his Virtu Ferries Velox in Sicily this year, and the second time he provided team director Vincenzo Toscano with another podium finish.

A year ago in Melilli he raced with a different kart and set a fastest lap of 47.316 seconds.

This year it was impossible to try and approach such times in difficult weather.

Race engineer Aldo Vella had a difficult task trying to anticipate the conditions to set the kart and engine.

Cauchi, also, might regret that he did not use a new set of wet tyres in the qualifying session and the final race.

Had he done so, he could have improved his times and possibly challenged Mizzi for first place.

It is understood that Mizzi receives technical support from the renowned Leotta Racing team and he makes optimum use of such assistance.

Mizzi is another talented racer and it was heartening to read in the Italian media about the professional approach of the two Maltese drivers in prohibitive conditions caused by the deluge on Sunday.

It was a pity that the other Italian drivers in this category did not take part because in their absence it was not possible to adequately gauge the progress being made by Maltese drivers.

It also meant that those in competition only earned half the points at stake on the day because there were few competitors in their class.

Cauchi and Scuderia Racing Kart Malta are assisted by various sponsors including Virtu Ferries and Radisson Blu Resort.