Shades of Formula 1.

A Christmas-tree-shaped motor-less vehicle was one of the attractions at this year’s edition of Paqpaqli Għall-Istrina, held yesterday at Ħal Farruġ within the boundaries of Malta International Airport.

The soapbox car competition, in which participants ran their quirky ‘machines’ around a purposely built track, was a new feature of the annual charity event. Other models included a replica of a Maltese vintage bus and another of a vintage racing car.

Meanwhile, hundreds of motoring enthusiasts had the ride of their lives when they were given the chance to sit at the wheel of a range of supercars including the latest Porsche models. A professional instructor was flown out from Germany to give advice on how to get the best performance out of the Porsche 991 GT3, while two Nissan GT-Rs as well as two Radical Prosport cars were also available for people to drive against a donation for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Christmas tree-shaped car.

This year’s main attraction was the Audi Quattro S1 built by Prospeed Motorsport and driven by the 2014 FIA European Hillclimb Champion Nikolay Zlatkov of Bulgaria, who entertained the crowds by performing his rally circuit run four times.

A dramatic simulated chase.

Another attraction was the Toyota TS030, which was the first ever petrol-powered hybrid car to take part in the FIA World Endurance Championship and competed in the 24-hour Le Mans of 2012.

The event also featured stunt shows involving two police cars chasing a getaway vehicle, bikers and Malta’s Team Maximum Lock which performed drifting manoeuvres.

Paqpaqli is organised by the Office of the President with a team of volunteers, aiming to raise funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at the wheel.