Team Malta fifth in Wales series

Maurice Farrugia and Mario Xuereb (Team Malta) have just taken part in the first King of the Valleys 2012, an extreme challenging series that was staged in the south of Wales.

The Maltese veterans’ heavily-modified Land Rover 90 was classified among the top contenders notwithstanding two roll-overs and various mechanical failures, as the team’s service crew, composed of Roderick Azzopardi, Rudy Farrugia, Kevin Mallia and Alex Fenech, worked tirelessly throughout the three-day series to see that no stage was missed.

The King of the Valleys series featured 80 course miles over three days. Encompassing every type of terrain to be found, this was a 4x4 endurance race like no other in the UK.

Over 40 teams from the UK and Europe took part in an event which tested their driving and vehicle preparation to the limits.

Team Malta got the support of Chris Tomley, a former organiser of the Welsh Hill Rally, as they started their long journey to the UK.

The Land Rover, with a 2.8 TGV diesel engine, was originally built for the Croatia Trophy Offroad Challenge but was re-modified for the series in Wales.

Farrugia and Xuereb chalked up the sixth fastest time, 10:58, in Day One of the series, just a minute away from the leading vehicle.

The next stage was more eventful, however, as the team had to deal with a flat tyre, a roll-over while overtaking a stationary vehicle and engine problems.

Then, when the crew managed to get the Land Rover into motion, the screen wipers failed to work, resulting in a prolonged stage and a time of three hours and six minutes.

But the next segment was more rewarding for Farrugia and Xuereb as they gained several places in the provisional standings to move eighth overall.

That set the stage for a decisive final stage but things did not start well for the Maltese team who sustained another roll-over.

Thanks to the help of competitor Jim Marsden and his co-driver, the Land Rover was soon back on its wheels and off again, finishing in a good one hour and 29 minutes for a creditable fifth place in the final classification.

Italy’s Team Acerni (Pier Acerni and Romeo Manzan) won the race

In a statement, the Maltese team said they wanted to thank all those who helped them in some way to participate in the King of the Valleys series, particularly Devon4x4, Gigglepin and others who supplied the team with vehicle parts needed.

Other sponsorships came from Silcolene, Kamoy, Street Rod Customs, Julio’s Garage, Ciapella Garage, AWDC Malta and the Malta Motorsport Federation.