The Malta Motorsport Federation’s first Gozo Grand Sprint this weekend has attracted an encouraging entry list of 75 cars, organisers confirmed yesterday.

Participants hail from Malta and Gozo mainly but the event has also attracted interest from outside our shores as two drivers from Sicily and one from Scotland will be among the starters today on the outskirts of Victoria.

The Gozo Grand Sprint will also get extensive coverage on Sicilian motor sport websites this weekend.

Entries vary in size, model, power and speed with single-seaters again set to steal most of the limelight along with other racers, varying from Minis to Rolls Royce, and a group of autocross riders.

A special guest for the occasion is Ari Vatanen the ex-rallying great.

The Finn will meet with the organisers and competitors in Gozo this morning before trying out the circuit on board a Subaru WRX.

Vatanen will be treated to a gala dinner tonight at the Calypso Hotel.

The programme today starts at 9.30 a.m. with checking and scrutineering in the paddocks, a drivers’ briefing and two free practice runs at noon and 5 p.m.

Tomorrow’s four Grand Sprint timed-runs are scheduled for 10.30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. before the prize-giving ceremony in Victoria.

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