The Malta Drag Racing Association (MDRA) organised its first racing series of 2012 at the Ħal Far raceway last weekend.
Action began on Friday with a test and tune session, a novelty this season as the MDRA spread the event over three days instead of the traditional two.
The competition attracted an encouraging entry of 80 participants in 21 different categories.
The track was set up to a very professional level by Lee Child.
Several racers clocked personal bests while the Kalanc Racing team set a new track record.
Chris Polidano produced a blistering drive in his A Fuel drag-ster to complete the run in 5.64 seconds as the Kalanc Racing Team topped the DTA 6 Class in style and earned the title of the fastest team in the local drag racing scene.
The Open 6 Class was won by Jason Grixti. Driving Emanuel Mangion’s Cosworth-powered dragster, he posted a time of 7.33 seconds.
Ruben Scicluna was first in the D6 class in his Cosworth-powered dragster with a 7.65secs run.
Mark Farrugia was the best driver in the Open 2 class after obtaining a personal best of 8.8 secs in his Pinto turbo-powered Ford Escort.
In the PS2 class, Paul Ciantar (Escort Pinto Turbo) also achieved a personal best of 9.9secs.
As usual, in the SS2 and Escort classes, the battle for the honours was very tense as eight vehicles were virtually neck-and-neck in qualifying.
In the end, Chris Borg won the SS2 class with a time of 11.18 seconds while Gordon Micallef clinched top spot in the Escort and SM2 classes in 11.30 seconds
In the motorcycles Open Class, the title went to Franklin Borg in 9.17secs while Glenn Borg set the fastest time, 7.91secs, in the SS1 division.
The most contested motorcycle category was the SS2A.
John Cutajar propelled himself to the top of the chart with a run of 8.80 seconds ahead of Melanie Schembri and Simon Bonello, second and third respectively.
An impressive run of 10.47 seconds saw Jason Grixti win the bracket racing category between 10.00 and 10.50 seconds.
Next on the calendar at Hal Far is a charity event on March 31.
Vehicles of all types can participate in this annual charity show and race event.