The Maltese flag flew high and proud at Cesaro in Sicily last Sunday when Maltese drivers totally dominated the first Cesaro Hill Climb, excellently organised by the UISP organisation.
Five Maltese drivers made the crossing to Sicily on Friday, together with a small group of helpers under Joe Anastasi, chairman of the Malta Motorsport Federation and team manager. David Anastasi was the oldest of these, realizing a life long dream with his immaculate Mini Doda Honda which was entered in the “Supersalite” class. Joining David were four young hopefuls all looking forward to their first foray abroad. 32 year old Matthew Zammit and 25 year old Joshua Anastasi had heard so many stories from their fathers Alex and Joe respectively, who had raced successfully in Sicily in the past, whilst 20 year old hot shoe Zach Zammit and 25 year old Steve Zammit Cutajar were looking forward to the experience.
The 3.2 kilometre Hill climb at Cesaro attracted over 170 cars and drivers, including the current Italian National hill climb champion Carmelo Scaramozzino with his powerful Breda BMW. Scaramozzino had an excellent season in 2007 and is presently repeating this with wins recently at the Etna, and Catanzaro and a class win at the European round at Mont Erice last April.
Scrutineering on Saturday went without a hitch, with all five cars being commended by the scrutineer for their immaculate preparation. All five Maltese competitors were entered by the Malta Motorsport Federation which issued them with International competition licences and technical passports for their cars.
Sunday morning dawned clear and warm and the Malta contingent soon set themselves up under the Maltese flag in the paddock attracting swarms of interested and inquisitive spectators. The practice run started at 9.45, almost all 176 competitors making it to the top and commenting very favorably about the track, condition and grip, but the main comments from the thousands of spectators were reserved to the Malta boys and their impressive performances.
The first of the timed runs proved them right for it was young Zach Zammit who established the hill record with a fantastic time of 118.91 seconds driving his Jagger/Dunlop Ralt Honda 2000, to beat the Italian Champion by over four seconds. Third overall, just two tenths away was the second of the Maltese competitors Joshua Anastasi driving his John Bull Racing/Ryans Irish Pub/Dunlop/Shell JBR-3 Kawasaki, with Matthew Zammit an excellent fifth with his Service Express/Dunlop Van Diemen Suzuki, and also an excellent seventh overall was Steve Zammit Cutajar driving his smart Dunlop Tatuus Hyabusa. All five drivers also placed favourably in their respective classes including David Anastasi whose low line Mini was probably the biggest crowd puller of them all.
In the break between runs Scaramozzino’s team worked frantically on the Breda, even fitting a brand new set of slick racing tyres in their effort to win. But it was not enough. Whilst Zach didn’t improve his time, Joshua did, and since Scaramozzino also didn’t improve this meant that Joshua then claimed second place overall, making it Maltese drivers on the top two steps of the podium with the Italian champion third. Matthew retained his class win and fifth overall with Steve second in class and an excellent seventh overall. David too won his class.
It was truly a memorable day for Maltese motorsport. At the presentation ceremony in the village square the Mayor of Cesaro asked the Malta drivers to drive their racing cars through the streets of Cesaro to a standing ovation by the crowds present, then went on to say how honoured they all were to have such sportsmen in their village. As organiser Nando Salerno presented team manager Joe Anastasi with a beautiful award on behalf of the team the Mayor asked Joe to invite Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, the Hon. Clyde Puli to attend next years edition of the UISP Cesaro Hill Climb as their guest of honour, a request Joe gladly accepted. The mayor then went on to present the beautiful trophies to all the competitors and it was a moment to be proud of when the top 10 were called up for their awards, four of these, including the top two being Maltese. “And we made sure we took the Maltese flag on the podium with us” said young Zach.
The same Malta team plus a number of other enthusiasts will be returning to Sicily for the Etna Hill Climb in exactly a month’s time. One expects the Italians to try to taste sweet revenge but as a couple of people have already commented in various internet fora: “Sara difficile battergli questi Maltesi.”