Young Maltese driver Jacques Mizzi is participating in the 125cc KF2 class race in the international Winter Cup at the South Garda Circuit in Lonato del Garda, Brescia, on the weekend of February 19-21.
This is the very first time that a Maltese driver is taking part in this event, and the Maltese flag will be flying for the first time among more than 24, representing drivers of other participating nations.
It is remarkable that although Mizzi is only 17 years of age, he has already gained some experience in kart racing events in Italy over the past two years, in addition to those in Malta.
The Winter Cup, now in its 15th edition, is a very prestigious race with all karting teams and manufacturers fielding their best drivers.
Maranello Kart, for example, is fielding no fewer than five drivers from five different countries - Italy, Germany, Finland, Spain and Denmark - in the KF2 class.
Mizzi happens to have been assigned the next racing number - no.22 - on the entry list, possibly because he is racing a Maranello kart.
There is no doubt that this is going to be a very difficult race weekend for Mizzi, but it should also be an excellent educational experience. In the absence of a karting school, the best next thing for young drivers is to learn the hard way by actually racing.
Mizzi has been racing with an Italian licence because he found it easier to try and get some assistance from Italian racing clubs. In this particular race he is being supported by the Iscaro Racing Team.
The Winter Cup has attracted 251 drivers in all and more than 2,000 spectators will be watching from the grandstand.
In the KF2 class alone, there are drivers from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, and the US, over and above those from Europe.
Only 34 of the 109 KF2 drivers participate in the final 28-lap race on Sunday week following a complex, but fair, system of qualifying.
The South Garda Circuit is 1.010km long and has a series of different bends - both right- and left-hand corners. In some of the curves there is a double apex.
Drivers race in a clockwise direction and in each 10-lap heat they have to cover a distance of 10.100 kms. The distance of the semi-final is 14.140 kms, while the final race is 28.280 kms long.