Zach Zammit will become the first Maltese driver to race in the British Sprint Hillclimb Championship this month when he takes part in the opening round from the 2015 series at the Prescott circuit, just outside Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.

The Prescott Hillclimb will be held on the weekend of April 25 and 26.

Zammit, 27, has come a long way since his early days in the sport when he raced in go-karts at Badger Karting before following on the footsteps of his father Joe and competing at the more prestigious national hillclimb championships where the stakes are much higher.

Zammit has already tasted international competition when participating in the UK National Karting Championship at Whilton Mill, in Northamptonshire, when aged 15.

In hillclimb, Zammit also figured in the Sicilian championship and won the Cesaro Hillclimb in record time. That feat had stood the challenge of Italian drivers these past seven years.

Zammit was the Maltese hillclimb champion in 2012 and runner-up on three other occasions including last year.

Now, thanks to the support of his family and a group of friends, Zammit will be trying his luck on the UK hillclimb scene inside his Empire chassis 1400cc Hayabusa-engined racer.

Since Zammit’s car is built for local regulations, it will be 85kg heavier and carrying the smallest engine in its class as the British hillclimb racing rules do not have minimum weight specifications.

Prescott is home to one of the world’s most prestigious motor racing venues.

Set over 60 acres of glorious Cotswold countryside, the estate not only provides a beautiful setting for a range of classic car and bike weekends, but also hosts major motor racing championships.

The just over one-kilometre course rises over 200 feet via short straights, fast and slow corners and a breathtaking hairpin, with the fastest modern racing cars completing the course in an exciting 36 seconds.

The Avon Tyres/TTC Group hillclimb championship is contested over 17 events at the best venues around the UK including rounds in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.

Meanwhile, the Malta Motorsport Federation said Zammit’s target in Prescott will be to finish all four runs while getting to know his new race car better ahead of the next challenges.

“The race in Prescott will serve Zammit in good stead for the following weekend’s hillclimb at Shelsley Walsh,” the statement said, dropping a clear hint that the Maltese racer’s participation in the British Hillclimb Championship will not be limited to the Prescott showing only.

“The Malta Sport Federation and the Island Car Club wish Zach Zammit the best of luck.”