The caravan of racing cars competing in the hill climb and sprint championship of the ICC moves to Gozo this weekend for the fourth round of the club’s championship which is being held this Sunday on the Xaghra hill.

The three hill climbs held to date, namely those at Mizieb, Mistra and Gnejna have produced three different outright winners in Lino Brincat, Zach Zammit and Joshua Anastasi, and with so many competitors in with a chance, round 4 at Xaghra could well see a fourth name among that elite list.

Sixty one year old Bardahl Dallara Alfa Romeo driver Lino Brincat was the winner last year in a record time of 46.803 seconds, and on present form he could well lower that record. But it won’t be easy.

Champion Hubert Camilleri is always a threat with his Silcolene Avon Chevron Cosworth, as is Zach Zammit with his ever improving Jagger Ralt Honda. Their main competition will come from the smaller engined cars of Joshua Anastasi (John Bull Racing/Dunlop JBR3 Kawasaki, Paul Deguara (Motoflash Yamaha R1), Matthew Zammit (Service Express Van Diemen Suzuki GSXR) and Steve Zammit Cutajar (Tatuus Suzuki Hyabusa 1300), though never discount Gordon Farrugia (Ritemix OMS Honda Turbo) and Johan Spiteri who will be driving his new Jedi Yamaha at Xaghra this weekend.

The battle of the four wheel drives will be just as intense with Mark Galea (Prestige Subaru WRX), Nikolai Degiorgio (Good Earth Lancia Integrale), Alan Curmi and others, all keen to claim the honours. The other groups, namely Group 5, Group 2 and Group 1 will all be just as competitive too. As always the Gozo event attracts a large number of local competitors too among them hill climb regular Frank Spiteri.

The event starts at 9am with the first of two practice runs. These will be followed by the two timed runs.