Following discussions with a group of Autocross drivers from Gozo this sport started to be practiced again at the ASM race circuits at Ta’ Qali.

This sport was originally introduced in Gozo by the late Vince Bonello (Splott) who, together with Frans Deguara and ASM, organised the first Autocross races in Gozo far way back in 2003.

This was a two-day event organised to raise funds for a five year old boy from Xewkija. This event was organised with the cooperation of the Ministry for Gozo, the Xewkija Local Council and Archpriest, among others, and took place at Ta’ Hamet in a location belonging to Mr Victor Scerri from Xaghra.

Gozo Autocross racing was followed mainly by the Cefai families from Zebbug. Lately, Tony Vassallo il-Hagi, together with the Cefais have revived Autocross among newer drivers from Gozo.

Now new drivers and vehicles are being prepared for competition at Ta’ Qali as now an official track is available in Gozo. Obviously, these drivers have to overcome many difficulties to practice this sport in the ideal environment.

ASM officials Frans Deguara, Johann Pace and John Micallef, assisted by Mario Borg, performed Scrutineering and advised about the safety features to be built in the competition cars of the Gozo drivers.

While in Gozo, the ASM officers conducted a talk/discussion with the local drivers.

Present and prospective drivers attended this meeting where all personal and vehicle safety standard requirements, flags, race marshalling and other relevant features were explained to all present.

It was not an easy task to persuade newcomers to the sport to abide 100% with the regulations but the ASM officers succeeded to overcome all difficulties with them. 

This meeting resulted in the Gozo drivers, who are led by Tony Vassallo and the Cefai brothers, asking to perform a private practice session at the ASM race tracks to familiarise themselves with the race procedures prior to official racing. 

Ten cars – the drivers accompanied by their families, relatives and friends - made it to the ASM circuit on a Sunday morning last March. Anton Refalo MP, on behalf of the PL for Gozo, attended this meeting and praised this initiative taken between ASM in favour of the Gozo Autocross drivers who have no official track to practice their favourite sport.

On 20 May the Gozo drivers performed officially at ASM in Ta’ Qali complimentary with the local Autocross and Motocross ASM-Poiatti championship competitors.

Richard Frank Axiaq won all the three heats but was penalised in one of them by the race referee for an unsporty deed on the Escort of Marvic Vassallo.

He qualified for the day’s finals together with Josmar Zammit on a Marbella, Lawrence Galea on a Micra, Josef Agius on a BMW and Chris Apap on an Escort. All the Gozitan riders drew the attention of many spectators present.

All six finalists performed an excellent final race start. Axiaq and Galea soon took the lead and were followed by Vassallo on his Escort and Zammit too. The sense of sportsmanship was evident during this highly competitive final race.  Axiaq held his pace and took the chequered flag first. Galea and Vassallo followed in second and third place respectively. All were cheered from the paddocks and spectator stands by all present.

Next event, being a night event will be held on Saturday 14 July and starts at 5pm. The day’s programme is to include Autocross, Motocross, Quadbikes and Trials competitions. The programme will be concluded by a Demolition Derby Race which will be run under artificial lighting.