Micallef’s Radical conquers Ta’ Penellu

By Etienne Grech

Seventy five cars entered the race, proof of the level of commitment local competitors have for motorsports. The participating cars covered almost every domain found in the world of racing, from standard production cars, stripped out race cars, rally cars, homemade 'specials' built by enthusiasts in their garage through to classic formula cars that could be displayed in museums.

Spectators were amused with several excellent performances by local drivers, who thundered up the Ta' Pennellu Hill in a quest for elusive points, in a haze of rubber and high octane fuel.

Due to the excellent state of the newly resurfaced road and its long straights, the organizing body added three technical sections to the main straight in an attempt to keep speeds low yet challenging both the driver's ability as well as that of the car. These comprised two tight two-point chicanes and a four-point chicane half way up the hill. This presented the hundreds of spectators that lined the road with a great show in car control and a couple of instances where drivers ran out of talent and ended in a harmless overshoot or spin.

Mark Micallef yet again proved to be a conqueror after he put in a blistering lap (55.232 sec) to top the timesheets in his Auto Trader Malta & MBL Malta Radical Prosport. This was Micallef's fifth success this year and puts him clearly atop of the ICC championship on hill climb wins. 

In second place was the multi-time champion Hubert Camilleri in his Mclaren-Garage Chevron. Camilleri was back in good form after suffering numerous mechanical failures in previous hill climbs, managing an excellent time of 56.485sec.

Jonathon Tonna was third in his Fat Harry's Tatuus Hayabusa single-seater (57.585sec) once again taking the third spot on the podium.

Adam Bugeja in his Jekran OMS finished in fourth place producing a fine display managing to outpace Jason Muscat with his B4 Radical Clubsport who grabbed fifth place.

Joe Mifsud won best performance in the veteran category, achieving an excellent time of 67.451sec in his Sly Machine Racer, ranking 16^th overall. Aldo Laferla was the best veteran in the saloon car section with his Mitsubishi Evo 6.

Noel Galea's vibrant Ford Escort Mk2 was fastest rear wheel drive car, placing in the top ten narrowly beating Joe Cutajar who drove his turbo charged Ford Escort Mk2 on home grounds.

Steve Buttigieg won best 4-wheel drive cathegory with his Cosworth powered Ford Escort Mk1 Turbo closely followed by Steve Baldachino in his Subaru Impreza.

Roswell Bugeja preceded the front wheelers in his rambunctious Peugeot 205 Gti ahead of his brother Didier Bugeja with his Peugeot 106 Gti.

The next round of the 2013 Grimaldi Lines I.C.C championship will be held in mid September and the venue is yet to be announced.