Team AWDC Malta back home

At their arrival at Valletta one could not help but notice the expression on their faces. Tiered, exhausted but all boosting a huge smile on their face. All teams and vehicles had made it back in one piece albeit with a couple new bumps and bruises.

To-date this was the biggest Maltese contingent to participate in the Trophy and speaking to team members one gets the feeling that the event organisers were more than happy of this. Considering that for example a huge, off-road following country such as Italy only had 2 teams this year just proves just how determined and off-road going our friends are.

Anybody who has ever taken part in a sports event will tell you that everyone starts with the intention of winning the event. You wouldn't compete in the first place if it were otherwise. Team AWDC Malta was no less and last year's 14th place by Malta's own Kevin Mallia was inspirational. But unfortunately it was not to be this year. Croatian Trophy 2012 proved to be one of the most challenging yet taking out big guns in the process. Last year's winners, Team Gigglepin from the UK came in full force to retain the crown but failed as they didn't make it to the last day.

This is even bigger proof of the tenacity team AWDC Malta showed. For the first time that team AWDC Malta, this year all teams made it to the finish. Having all four teams' finish this endurance event is a huge achievement for Team AWDC Malta. The first of the Maltese teams was Ciapella racing Team, driver Adrian Bezzina and co-drive John Zammit. They finished a very respectable 23rd overall. Team Ciapella were consistent all through the event and could be seen at times moving up the standings. But overheating vows meant the team had to reduce their pace to finish the race. This was their first appearance and with a brand new vehicle. Knowing Adrian's team we are sure they are back on the drawing board to figure out a solution.

Next, just one place behind Adrian, in 24th overall was Kamoy racing with driver Stefan Mallia and co-driver Alistair Caruana. This was Alistair's second trophy having competed last year with Kevin Mallia. Team Kamoy were very unlucky on the second day of the event were after just a couple of kilometres of a 40Km stage they hit a tree at speed and bent the front end of their vehicle. Their tenacity was exemplary as they managed to finish the day's racing, completing all the stages and had their vehicle repaired by the morning after. The time they lost on that day proved very costly to the team.

In 36th place, we find another AWDC Team member, Coleiro Racing. This was their second attempt, and one cannot explain the delightful expression on team owner Kenneth Coleiro after successfully finishing the last stage. Kenneth's team was very unlucky last year when they had engine problems even before the event got underway. But this year, flanked by co-driver and Croatian Trophy first timer Neville Ciantar they made it to the finish. Their vehicle ran smoothly all through the event bare one stage when they lost their hydraulic steering system. This didn't tarnish their spirits and were one of the happiest teams when they cut the finish line.

Just behind Colerio Racing, in 37th place, we find the final Maltese team, Team M. Croatian Trophy veteran, driver Maurice Farrugia and first timer David Abdilla, the co-driver, had a very uneventful race with no major mishaps recorded. They kept a very steady pace all through the event and the biggest factor that affected their overall result was the result they achieved in the first day the prologue. During the prologue they were unlucky enough to find a vehicle heading the opposite direction in the race track. To make matters worse, this happened in the most technical part of the course and as a result they lost very precious time. Starting the Croatian Trophy in 40th plus position isn't an easy feat.

In the past week we had the opportunity to speak to most of the team members and most are still recovering from the exhausting adventure. They all have their own stories to tell but the only thing on their minds is Croatian Trophy 2013. Its only 350 days away and it's never too early to start preparing the vehicles.

All Wheel Drive Club Malta committee would like to thank all the Maltese participants for doing their club but above all their country proud. Well done guys. Thank you.