Johann Spiteri was the only Maltese driver present at the first round of the Campionato Siciliano di Velocita in Pista, held recently at the Autordomo Valle dei Templi, Racalmuto, but he left his mark with a fine win.

The 2012 championship got off to a fine start with a good entry of interesting machinery in all classes. The only Motorsport Team Malta entry for this event was that of Johann Spiteri, whose Jedi Suzuki was entered in the 1000cc Formula race, a race which attracted seven other competitors, all racing Gloria cars.

Johann and his team soon settled into a good race pace during Saturday morning free practice, then put the Jedi Suzuki on pole position during afternoon qualifying for Sunday’s race.

Sunday’s 12 lap race was a repeat performance with Johann taking an immediate lead from pole position, and retaining it throughout, to take his first win of the season and head the points table in the 2012 championship. The next round of the championship takes place on 12 and 13 May.

With the frustrating local motorsport situation, more and more Maltese drivers are taking to Sicily to practise their sport. Apart from the circuit championship, Racalmuto has this year also started a six-round Time Attack championship. This differs from the racing championship in that all competitors are timed individually throughout Sunday, and these may compete with either racing cars or normal road cars.

Two Time Attack events have already been held this year, and in both cases, Maltese drivers excelled, as has come to be expected.

Josef Calleja, driving his smart Subaru Impresa, was not only the quickest of the Maltese drivers on both occasions, but he was fastest overall in the February event which was run in wet conditions, and second fastest overall from over 40 competitors in last month’s second event.

The third Racalmuto Time Attack takes place on 28 and 29 April. For logistical reasons – the hotel at the track only has 24 bedrooms – we are limited to 24 entries, and with three weeks to go only four places still remain. Such is the enthusiasm, and frustration of the Maltese motorsport enthusiast.

If anyone is interested in participating in either the racing championship or the Time Attack championship, one may call local Racalmuto representative Joe Anastasi for more details.