Paul Bailey, who was driving the sportscar which crashed into the crowd during the 2015 Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina show, had all the necessary licences to drive his car at the charity event, a senior official of the Motor Sports Association (UK) told a court on Wednesday.
Simon Blunt, General Secretary of the London-based association, was testifying via video conference as the compilation of evidence against Mr Bailey and the former committee of Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina continued.
His conclusion appeared to contradict the findings of inquiring Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera who in her report into the incident had said that Mr Bailey lacked the expertise of trained professional drivers in handling such supercars..
Questioned by parte civile lawyer Shazoo Ghaznavi, Mr Blunt confirmed that the British driver of the Porsche Spyder had obtained all necessary licences to participate in circuit racing both on a national as well as international level up to the level of a class ‘C’ licence.
Indeed, Mr Bailey, as a motor sports enthusiast and collector of numerous power cars, had first obtained a national UK licence ‘B’ back in March 2010, after successfully completing the necessary ARDS test, set by the Racing Drivers’ School.
The licence was later upgraded to a national licence ‘A’, Mr Blunt explained, pointing out that by 2015 Mr Bailey had also obtained the international licence ‘C’ which meant that he was qualified to participate in worldwide car racing events up to the level of the ‘C’ licence, such events being graded by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile.)
The MSA official also explained that the rationale behind the ARDS test was to ensure a baseline level of competence and safety for all involved in such racing events, including spectators.
In the light of this information, defence lawyer Joseph Giglio promptly intervened to point out that in respect of the Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina event, no competitive car racing had been involved.
Dr Ghaznavi rebutted that the promotion leaflet before the 2015 event had referred to ‘sprints, drives and rides’, a statement which provoked murmured comments from various members of former organizing committee who remarked that “this was not racing.”
For the purpose of driving home this point, defence lawyer Stefano Filletti asked Mr Blunt to clarify the distinction between racing and track-day events or vehicle shows- such as the former Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina- where no races were involved.
“If it is a vehicle show with no competitive element, we would not be involved,” Mr Blunt replied.
Magistrate Aaron Bugeja is presiding the compilation of evidence.
Police inspectors Josric Mifsud, Silvio Magro and Hubert Cini are prosecuting.
Lawyers Giannella DeMarco and Stephen Tonna Lowell are counsel to Paul Bailey.
Lawyer Joe Giglio is counsel to Tonio Darmanin. Lawyer Stefano Filletti is counsel to Brian Gatt and Julian Manara.
Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is defence counsel for Ian Cilia Pisani, Kevin Perry and Chris Sultana. Other members of the Paqpaqli team are being assisted by Dr Michael Sciriha, Dr Raphael Fenech Adami and Dr Albert Zerafa.
Michael Grech, Shazoo Ghaznavi, Jason Azzopardi, Roberto Montalto, Alessia Zammit McKeon, Franco Debono, Amadeus Cachia and Reuben Farrugia are among the lawyers appearing for the victims.