Zach Zammit scored his second win of the season at Ta' Qali earlier this month during the Island Car Club's fifth round of the 2008 championship. Driving his Jagger Ralt Honda 2000 in his usual smooth style, young Zammit shattered the existing track record in the process.
The sprint attracted an excellent entry of 62 cars in a weekend packed with motorsport in one form or another, both locally and internationally.
Enthusiasts were regaled with some top-notch driving on a slippery surface on Saturday morning before shifting focus to the P1 championship and powerboats pilot Aaron Ciantar who clinched another victory for the Conam Yachts team later in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, there were 10 single-seater racers at Ta' Qali and it was this group that fought tooth and nail for the prestigious win.
Just two tenths of a second behind the first-placed Zammit was last year's Ta' Qali winner Joshua Anastasi on his John Bull Racing Ryans Dunlop JBR3 Kawasaki. Current champion Hubert Camilleri was third in his Silkolene Avon Chevron Cosworth, a further nine tenths of a second adrift.
Matthew Zammit drove well throughout to claim a creditable fourth overall in his Service Express Van Diemen Suzuki, and Johan Spiteri set the alarm bells ringing with an excellent fifth place with his new CR Sachs Jedi Yamaha in only his second outing.
Paul Deguara led the field after the two practice runs, driving his Motoflash Yamaha with his usual flair, finishing sixth overall as Mark Galea mixed it with the single-seaters to take ninth place and best saloon with his Prestige Properties Subaru Impreza WRX.
Other impressive showings were those of Joseph Cutajar and his Escort 1800, Duncan Barbaro Sant with his sideways 2-litre Alberta Escort, and 'flying doctor' Anthony Bernard who returned to the fray with his Mitsubishi EVO showing he had lost none of his skill or speed.
Alan Curmi won his class, also driving an Evo, as did Noel Galea who placed his 1300 Fiesta 17th overall and fastest in Group 2. The best time in Group 1 was set by Terrence Vella driving a Honda CRX.
The ICC takes a break for the summer but is expected to resume its activities in October with the popular sprint on the Coast Road.