The first racing series of the 2015-16 Trials Championship, organised by the Assoċjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi (ASMK), was held last Sunday at the Hard Rock Quarry in Wied Għomor, limits of Naxxar.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, the programme went ahead as scheduled.

Competition was close despite this being the first round of the series, becoming tense and demanding after the fourth section when it started to rain heavily, rendering the circuit more difficult for the riders to overcome the obstacles because of the slippery terrain.

The Bonello cousins, Damon and Rowen, dominated Class A, topping the series with equal points throughout until the latter, riding a Beta motorcycle, incurred a few extra penalty points.

Damon kept hold of his nerves and rode his Gas Gas at full speed to secure first place.

The day closed with Damon Bonello claiming first place in Class A with just 14 penalty points. Rowen Bonello was second on 17 points, followed by Gary Debono who incurred 25 points after all sections of the trial race were completed.

Joseph Scicluna, making his first showing in Class A, was a close fourth with 28 points.

In Class B, Manuel Camilleri and Ian Scicluna, both on Gas Gas bikes, were the main challengers.

There was little to separate them after the first two sections but Camilleri seized the lead as Scicluna failed to maintain his smooth handling of the bike in the third and fourth.

Scicluna did manage to narrow the gap after a good, clean ride during the fifth stage but the honours went to Camilleri. He finished with 47 penalty points, compared to Scicluna’s 53.

The second round of the National Championship for Autocross, Modified and Standard, takes place on Sunday, starting at noon.