Last Sunday, ASM organised the second ASM Poiatti Autocross National Championship while a three-rider Motocross team went to race in Agrigento.
During the Autocross Heats at Ta’ Qali, Patrick Cassar, on An Opel Corsa, and Melo Zammit, on an Escort MK3, won all the three qualifying heats, thus securing their place in the Class A Finals.
In the six-car Class A finals, Christian Galea took the lead on the drop of the Red Lights but lost his place to Cassar and Zammit by the end of Lap 1 due to a technical fault.
Manuel Muscat took advantage too and moved two places ahead but later was forced to retire due to another technical failure.
Thus, Keith Borg on a Vauxhall Nova and Guzi Pace on an Escort moved to third and fourth place respectively. Cassar and Zammit won first and second place respectively.
Godwin Martin had a very good start in the Final B 9 lap race. He was followed by Christian Calleja driving an Opel Corsa and Philip Grima on a new Escort Mk3.
In Lap 4 Martin was forced to retire due to a mechanical failure and Calleja took the lead though he was closely followed by Scicluna on another Opel. In the final Calleja took the chequered flag while Grech and Grima followed close by.
A team of three Motocross riders, together with ASM President Frans Deguara, two technicians and a small supporting team went all the way to Agrigento to compete in Race 7 of the Italian FMI Motocross Championship at Giarrizzo MX Track in Favara.
ASM riders Clayton Camilleri, Stefan Dimech and Josef Attard from Gozo registered to ride in the ‘MX2-250 over 21’ class in which one finds the best two MX riders in the FMI Regional Championship.
Due to bad weather in that area the team had a two hours drive for practical sessions at San Cataldo track.
After promising sessions, Clayton’s bike broke a transmission bearing and lost his participation in the Giarrizzo race. Stefan and Josef had to battle with the 20 riders on the start gate to finish in a high place in the 21 minutes race duration.
Stefan Dimech did very well in the two heats and won a podium finish – third – in Class in this ‘MX2-250 over 21 race’. Josef won the PromoSport Class in the 250cc.
During this visit the ASM Motocross Team visited three other Championship tracks. Frans Deguara, on behalf of ASM, established negotiations for the Maltese riders participation in the FMI and UISP Regional and National Championship races too.
The Maltese were welcomed and invited to race again in the 2012 Championship as from next March 2012. The ASM Malta team was praised both by the FMI commissioners and race directors Cavaleri Bros. to return to Giarrizzo for future events.
ASM has introduced a new motorcycle section. Trials used to be organised by ASM in the earlier days. With the assistance of John and Edward Bonello, ASM has introduced a Trials bikes nursery at the Ta’ Qali race circuits. First introductory competition is being held today from 10.30am.