The internationally-renowned Croatia Trophy has again drawn the interest of various motor sport enthusiasts across the European continent with organisers this year reporting an entry field of 61 teams in the Trophy class alone besides 16 others in the Adventure and Quad sections.

The 4x4 offroading challenge is considered among the toughest in Europe and according to many drivers who took part in previous editions, just completing the race is already a major achievement.

The Croatia Trophy is now in its 11th race in the series. It will again be hosted by the Auto Klub Zagreb at the Karlovac-Topusko camp, near the border with Bosnia, between April 28 and May 6.

Teams are again coming from all parts of Europe including Russia, Italy, Austria, Holland, Germany and Malta along with those from the Balkan countries.

There will be three teams flying the Maltese flag at the Croatia Trophy this year.

One team, consisting of six members, will be leaving the islands today on their way to Livorno from where they will drive all the way to the Karlovac-Topusko camp.

Kenneth Coleiro is the driver and Massimo Magri co-driver.

Kenneth Turner is the crew member responsible for logistics and Steve Curmi, Nicky Borg and Conway Cachia will take care of the technical aspect of the team’s adventure in Croatia.

Coleiro and Magri will be driving a Jeep with a heavily-modified Corvette engine 510bhp.

The other two Maltese entries will be managed by Maurice Farrugia and Mario Xuereb (Land Rover) and Kevin Mallia and Alistair Caruana (Maruti Special).

The Croatia Trophy challenge starts with a prologue before eight special stages to determine this year’s winning team.