On Sunday 10th March 2019 Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi successfully organized the sixth event of ASMK-Pasta Poiatti Autocross 2018/2019 National Championship. 22 competitors registered in one of the three Autocross Classes that for Modified, or for Standard cars or in the Autocross Diesel Class. The day’s program came to a very special ending as ASMK organized the ‘Ladies Demolition Derby’ for the first time with the participation of 10 very enthusiastic young women. Yet on this same Sunday morning ASMK also organized the fifth event of the National Trials Championship. This event was held in a quarry at Tas-Saghtar limits of Naxxar.
During the day the Autocross cars raced for three Heats and a Final Race counting for Classification Points. In the 9 Laps Final for Modified Class A cars Terence Azzopardi won on his white Opel Corsa and was followed by Melo Zammit on another Opel Corsa and by the Fiat Punto of Noel Zammit whilst fourth place was won by Jean Paul Grech on an Opel Corsa.
In the Modified Autocross Class B Final we saw Gordon Johnson on an Opel Corsa to win this Class and he was followed by Theo Micallef on a Ford Fiesta. Third place was won by Brandon Lee Vassallo on his Peugeot 205 while fourth placed is Paul Formosa.
The Autocross Standard Class Final was won by the Peugeot 106 of Nicovich Chircop while Kyle Agius on the Opel Nova followed in 2nd place. Third place was won by Quinn Camilleri on his Citroen AX and Fourth placed is the new driver Liam Formosa on a Ford Fiesta. This result may be changed following further analysis by the Executive Committee.
Meanwhile the Trials Riders were in Competition outside the ASMK premises and we had these results. Class A was won by Damon Bonello on a TRS Trials m.cycle and he was followed in 2nd place by Rowen Bonello on a Beta. Third place was won by Ian Scicluna on a Beta too. The Juniors Class B was won by Isaac Scicluna on his Gas Gas who was followed in 2nd place by Julian Scicluna on an OSET. In Third place we find Dion Micallef on a Beta while Karl Bartolo on another Beta was placed Fourth.
Meanwhile, the highlight and the closure of the day’s program on this special Sunday was the much awaited start of the First ever Edition in Malta of the ‘Ladies Demolition Derby’ with 10 competitors on well prepared colourful cars. The competitors were Carol Bowell on a Toyota Starlet, Michaela Sammut on VW Polo, Francesca Schembri on a Ford Fiesta, Panthea Butler on Skoda Favorit, Kayleigh Desira on a Toyota Starlet, Mandy Farrugia Lomax on Skoda Favorit, Yanica Gilford on Kia Pride, Mary Butler on Skoda Favorit , Jessica Magro Butler on Subaru J10 and Maronia Mallia on another Skoda Favorit.
It all started at 3: 20pm with the female competitors who for several years supported their men or other family members now they were in absolute control of their vehicle. Following their entry into the track and a Line-Up they first made Two Laps as an Exhibition Parade and a Warm-Up for all and then they were given the Start Signal to this Derby. It was clearly noticed by the crowd of spectators that although the ladies never had the opportunity or experience to be behind the wheel in a Demolition car, they began giving spectacular banging to each other but with neat technique and driving under the strict Safety Rules without even narrowly breaking any. These ten competitors gave a great show to all present even though many of the spectator public were supporting various cars as it was a while before the first car had to be abandoned. After nearly 50 minutes of battling between these cars the remaining dwell was between Jessica and Michaela for almost 15 minutes where though we saw these two cars bumping each other without anyone shutting down his engine the cars were still crawling with running engines.
While Michaela has had her car still on the move while that of Jessica continued running and crawling with both rear wheels completely jammed against the bodywork. Where it is usual practice to see the final blow that determines who will be the winner both cars had their engines running like of new cars. In a while Michaela’s car engine developed a small oil fire and she had to abandon the car and be declared Runner-Up while Jessica Magro Butler won this first edition of the ‘First ASMK Ladies Demolition Derby’. Both drivers greated each other among cheers from the crowd.
During the Presentation of trophies ASMK President thanked all men who were involved and prepared the Ladies cars to resist such punishment and to participate in the Derby. He also thanked all women competitors for the great exhibition in a Sporty manner. The President also announced that this event will be entered into the ASMK Demolition calendar as all other Demolitions. This was greatly welcomed by all present.
Meanwhile ASMK has already started preparing for the next Demolition Derby for small cars scheduled for just before Easter. To register himself for this next event one must attend the Meeting to be held on this Thursday 14 March 2019 at the National School of Sport, in Pembroke. The meeting starts at 8.00pm.
ASMK events will continue on Sunday 17 March with the Honda Motocross National 2019/2019 Championship. This will be the Fifth event of this season and the event starts at 10.00am at the ASMK Sports Complex in Ta' Qali.
More information can found on the website of the Association:- www.asmk.org.mt or the Facebook pages named:- A.S.M.K. Malta or:- Assoċjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi. One can make contact by email:- [email protected] Mobile 9942 or 5489.
Photos by Mario Micallef