A Maltese team will be leaving Malta today for Croatia to compete in the European F1 competition for Off-roading, the Croatia Trophy 2007.

This event has been held annually for the past six years and today it is considered as the toughest and most prestigious 4x4 competition one can take part in Europe.

This year the Croatia Trophy is going to be held between 24 April and 4 May. This competition is an off-road amateur-driving event demanding top driving skills by every participant.

70 competitors are going to take part in the competition, which is held in the forest of Vojnic in Zagreb. In this year’s event, various countries have already confirmed their participation and these are

Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Israel, and for the first time Malta.

The Maltese team is composed of 11 persons including the driver and co-driver. Maurice Farrugia 44, from Pieta’ is the driver and Mario Xuereb, 38, from Mellieha, is the co-driver (pictured).

Maurice and Mario are well known in the local motor sport scene since they compete in the All Wheel Drive Club Malta championship and even they have competed abroad several times. Last year they finished second overall in a competition held at Trapani in Sicily.

The rest of the Maltese team members are

Charlie Vella-Team Manager, Tonio Cini-Press Officer, Kevin Mallia-Engineer, Steve Micallef-Chief Mechanic, David Micallef-Ass. Mechanic, Kevin Mallia-Electrician, Joseph Abdilla-Panel Beater, Anthony Micallef-Camping Logistic Officer, Martin Chetcuti-Parts Logistic Officer.