The first event of ASM – Pasta Poiatti National Autocross Championships opened on Sunday, October 7 at the ASM Racetracks in Ta' Qali. ASM Executive Committee cancelled the motocross races which were also scheduled for the day due to lack of training on the recently modified motocross track and for the riders' safety.

On Sunday, Patrick Cassar in his yellow/silver Opel Corsa B won all three heats and the Class A nine-lap final race, where he earned his first full nine points. Carmel Mifsud (IMP) and Emm. Muscat on his Corsa B also secured their position on the Final A start grid.

Though Cassar lost his lead from the start to Carmel Mifsud’s Hillman Imp, he soon won the lead which he kept to the chequered flag. Cassar was followed by Carmel Mifsud and Emm. Muscat (Corsa B), Guzi Pace (Escort) Vince Farrugia on a VW Polo and Christian Galea on his Fiat Ritmo. Cassar built same lead and Muscat and Galea battled together in 2nd and 3rd places and finally Galea overtook Muscat who now found the VW Polo of Farrugia chasing him too but Muscat held his position in 3rd place to the finish line though he was running on a flat tyre.

In the Class B final, Mario Scicluna took the lead ahead of the Nova A of Josef Abela and the Ford Ka of Keith Sammut who is a new driver in Autocross. Sammut performed very well in 3rd place throughout the nine-lap race though he lacks experience in autocross driving. The three leaders drove close to each other where fair play excelled during the race. Following these leaders were Josef Grech on a Fiesta, Philip Grima on an Escort MK3 and Gordon Johnson on a Peugeot 205 who finished in 4th, 5th and 6th place, respectively.

The ASM Indoor Trials 1st Championship events will take place next Sunday, October 14 at 09.00h at the ASM Racing Circuits. The riders will compete in two classes, novice and experts. The ASM Circuit Gate will be open for free for the trial competitions. Further practical sessions will take place next Saturday, October 13 from 15.00h onwards.