The 2012 edition of the Mdina Grand Prix was launched yesterday morning with the deputy chairman Joe Said saying that they were all very well prepared to host one of the best editions ever.

The event is to be staged between 8 and 10 October on the roads surrounding Mdina, the old capital.

It will be a social and cultural event apart from the races on the final two days. In fact, there will also be visits to Valletta, the three Cities and Gozo before the races, which include practice, on Saturday and Sunday. And there will also be a special velocity event at the Hal Far Speedway on 7 June connected with the event.

A large number of participants – the number is not yet known – are expected to take part.

Said said the event is expected to provide a big spectacle to the thousands of enthusiasts who will be expected to attend. He added that the roads making up the circuit provide for fast driving and also include some tight corners which could making racing more enterprising. Moreover, the participating cars will be exhibited on the two squares of the old capital, the one in front and the other adjacent to the Cathedral.

Said said the organisers are aware that this is one of the most prestigious events in the local calendar. He appealed to major local companies to join the sponsorship list.

Tourism Minister Dr Mario Demarco said the event has already become very interesting and important as it reflects the past and future of this country. He said the event is being staged around the historical capital of Mdina and it provides a good pastime and a lot of passion for the local enthusiasts as well as tourists who may come specifically for the event as well as those on the island at that particular time.

He went on to say that Mdina was a very good alternative to Valletta as it was impossible to stage it in the capital because of the City Gate project.

Dr Demarco thanked the Mdina and Rabat mayors for giving their support towards the organisation of the event.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Clyde Puli congratulated the organisers, saying that interest in the activity was growing rapidly, both from the participants’ side and the enthusiasts.

He said that during the last three years, the government had invested a lot in creating a sports tourism niche through which €7.5 million have been injected in the Maltese economy. He added that 140,000 bed nights had been generated through the associations’ efforts for which they have benefited to the tune of €750,000.

Puli added that his secretariat is working hard to see this sports tourism niche grow further as he believes that it could be turned into a significant component to sustain local sport.