The Assoċjazzjoni Sport Mu-turi/Karozzi (ASMK) opened its 2014/15 season with the first round of races from the Pasta Poiatti National Championships.

First out were the riders from the Enduro section for offroad motorcycles with a series of races at a quarry in Fawwara, made available by site owners Schembri Barbro and Polidano Group.

In all, 25 riders were split into two categories – Class A for bikes with engine capacity less than 250cc and Class B for bigger-engined motorcycles.

The 3.8km-long course was dotted with tracks used mainly for quarry machinery, foot paths and rainwater-filled channels among other terrain.

Competition was tight in both divisions as Carmelo Borg, on a Suzuki, vied for the honours in Class A with Honda rider Joseph Scicluna while Matthew Gauci (KTM) registered the best time of the day (5mins 16.39secs) in Class B.

Scicluna ended the day in first place, followed by Borg while third place went to Edward Ciantar on a Kawasaki.

Gauci’s time allowed him to win his class ahead of James Zahra, on a 4T Yamaha.

Zahra clocked a best time of 5 minutes 21.35 seconds.

Third place went to Alex Sant Fournier with a time of 5 minutes 32.10 seconds on his KTM 450cc.

The top rider in the overall classification on the day was Gauci who picked up the first 20 points awarded for this season’s Enduro championship. The next round of races is scheduled for November 9 at the ASMK circuit in Ta’ Qali.

This week, the motor sports association focused mainly on Autocross as cars are being inspected for safety standards and conformity with regulations to compete in Sunday’s opening round from the National Championship.

New drivers and cars are expected to participate in the races commencing at noon with warm-up laps followed by three heats and two final runs for Class A and B.

In addition to Autocross, Trials bikers get their championship going with races at the Blokrete Quarry in Naxxar on Sunday and Motocross races will also be held in Nadur, Gozo.

Meanwhile, FMI-licensed riders Andrew Cassar and Mathieu Salomon will take part in a Special Enduro race in Sicily on Sunday.

The event – a ‘two-man team’ ­– will be staged in Marina di Ragusa under the auspices of Moto Club Scicli.

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