After a long summer break hill climb racing will resume today with the seventh event of the ICC’s 2012 championship in conjunction with the annual Rabat Motorsports Festival.

The Mtaħleb Hillclimb is synonymous with Maltese motorsport, having been host to regular races in the 70s. Built by the Italians back then, the 2km road boasted a level of construction that made it unique on the island, including various high-speed flowing curves, a 500 metre long stretch under the trees culminating in a roaring sprint up the steep hill to a banked right hand corner before crossing the finish line.

Two years ago, the Island Car Club (ICC), in collaboration with the Rabat Local Council, entered into an agreement to reconstruct parts of the road in order to re-introduce motorsport activities in this locality.

The initiative was a resounding success with numerous cars competing in this iconic event and hence this unique hill formed part of the Annual Rabat Motor Festival.

The ICC and Rabat Local Council extended their collaboration as more works were carried out to improve the track. The aim is to have a high-quality track which, in the future, could be used for international hill climb events. The ICC is grateful to the Rabat Local Council and Mayor Sandro Craus for their continued support.

Over 60 drivers are expected to race against the clock with road-legal as well as highly-modified racing cars, not to mention the single-seaters, all battling for overall victory.

Hubert Camileri emerged as overall victor in two out of three races at Imtahleb besides securing a record time; the third race was won by the talented rookie driver Fabio Baldachino just before the summer break. Will Camilleri make it a hat-trick today?

The overall championship is wide open with four different winners so far; though there are several other groups and classes where the title race is still open and this should create a healthy competitive atmosphere.

An open paddock will be held after the race and the Island Car Club in conjunction with the Local Council of Rabat, are looking to enhance the prize-winning celebration, celebrating an end to a successful motorsport festival, allowing motoring enthusiasts to mingle with the drivers and their crew and view racers from close quarters.

The first run of the day will commence at 9am and the general public is invited to attend this exciting event.