As ever the 2014 Mdina Grand Prix held in Malta from 9th – 12th October was brilliant, in fact quite possibly the best ever on track.As the European season draws to a close and thoughts turn to winter overhauls, the Mdina GP is a final chance to enjoy racing in the sunshine. Such is the quality of the event, I sincerely apologise in advance if my enthusiasm boils over whilst taking you through four days of historic motorsport, sunshine and the beauty that this unique festival offers.
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Masters Racer Giovanni Rosi lit up the circuit in the Chevron B16 to the delight of all
Thursday morning, whilst the rest of the world went about its daily routine, the recently built by pass that snakes away from the seaside town of Mellieha was closed to traffic. The dual carriageway climbs ever steeper away from sea level and becomes the perfect setting for this year’s opening event, a 1.6 mile hill climb. The track begins in a fairly straight forward fashion with a few man-made chicanes. As it climbs the gradient increases and long sweeping left and right bends have to be dealt with before reaching the finish line.
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Ex F1 star Rupert Keegan has driven on some special tracks this one is rather pleasant
By midday the temperatures were well into the 80’s and the times began to fall as the UK entrants that were making their first visit became familiar. Forty five varied machines took the challenge many shipped over from mainland Europe but it became obvious that horse power was always going to dominate here. It was therefore no surprise when the AC Cobra of local driver Martin Spiteri reached the summit in 64.47 and took top spot. He shared the podium with two UK drivers both Mdina veterans, with Mark Mills only half a second behind in his Mk1 Escort RS and Zak Matten (last year’s overall winner) taking 3rd in a Datsun 240Z.
Guest driver Giovanni Rosi brought his FIA Masters Chevron B16 over to the Island and although not officially competing took one run up the hill, immediately went two seconds faster at 62.94, he then drove straight to a local restaurant, parked outside and took a long lunch, very Italian.
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Cathedral Square crammed with classics and enthusiasts for one of the best Concours competitions
A much quieter setting for Friday’s festivities but no less interesting and certainly a huge favourite with the visitors was the Concours d’Elegance that took place in St Pauls Cathedral Square inside Mdina. Some fifty of the Islands finest vehicles packed into the historic ‘Silent City’and the usual extremely high standard ensured that the panel of judges were never going to agree and perhaps that is how it should be.
All decades were covered including Malta’s 1st and 2nd registered vehicles from the turn of the last century brought together by David Arrigo, regular on the London-Brighton veteran run. His 1904 Cadillac was on show together with a Siddeley of the same vintage.
European and Stateside machines all in incredible condition vied for the judge’s eye and at the end of the day the anticipation at prize giving time was enormous. As ever, some leave disappointed, but the winners are some elated.
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Mauro Portelli Alfa leads Guy Broad MG then Malta GP regular John Burton XK120
Saturday morning and the closed roads around the base of Mdina echoed to the sound of screaming engines as qualifying would be vital on the 2.2km street circuit. Undulating and narrow, overtaking is always at a premium and on occasion risky. Good driving and some sensible heads ensured some exciting grids, with 60 cars registered and forming a dozen classes.
Grids would range from 6-9 cars and this ensured that everyone enjoyed some close racing and a good battle. Once timed runs had been completed the top four were the usual suspects. Nikolai Degorgio (MTA) was quickest with an amazing last lap of 90.08 in his Alfa Spider, followed by another local Charlie Cutajar in his Mk1 Escort at 90.32. Mark Mills headed the visitors in his similar liveried Mk1, both resplendent in Alan Mann colours, followed by fellow UK driver Zak Matten in his 240Z.
He maybe a veteran racer but Joseph Mifsud was incredibly quick in the little Imp.
Other competitors that caught some attention included veteran local hill climb ace Joseph Mifsud, his a very quick Hillman Imp headed the 2nd group.
Ex F1 driver and always fun to talk too Rupert Keegan piloted an Alfa Romeo and Claire Beswick in her TR6 would head the ladies charge along with the local Said sisters Pamela and Olivia.
The stage was set for Sunday and as the grids evolved the lap times dropped and the action became more intense. By the time the top 9 took to the grid for their first race before lunch every vantage point was occupied. Off the start Cutajar jumped pole man Degorgio and Mills in his RS dived in behind making an Escort 1-2. The two would remain glued together for several laps before stock car ace Mills showed his short circuit experience. Only requiring half a cars width he forced his way through and immediately gapped the competition as Cutajar now had his mirrors full of Alfa Romeo Spider.
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Spiteri’s Cobra enjoys a big moment whilst the Escorts of Mills and Cutajar lead
It finished in that order and these would be the grid settings for the events final race and championship decider. By mid-afternoon the track side temperature was even bothering the locals and I admit, was starting to wilt.
Giovanni Rosi wowed the crowd in the beautiful Chevron B16 and fellow countryman Ermes Formilan was all sideways and tyre smoke as he entertained in the Fiat 501SS from 1922. Group 2 saw Ray Vella topple the Mifsud Imp in his MGB and in Group 3 the lovely white Alfa Giulia of Mauro Portelli took a great class win.
George Said in his D Type had taken a win in the morning but sadly, his clutch expired in the afternoon and the opportunity was taken by John Drury in a very quick Mini. Final race and Mills led the pack into the 1st corner and looked on course for a victory as Cutajar had his hands full with a resurgent Spitori in the Cobra.
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George Said was on course for a double when his D Types clutch cried enough
Matten had failed to start and Mills would fail to finish when brake fade left him with ‘no pedal’ and stranded on top of the hay bales at turn one just a few laps from the end. Obviously disappointed the Somerset man still took time to wave to the appreciative crowd as local hero Cutajar took victory just ahead of Spitori and Degorgio.
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The Concours prizes are much sought after made by Mdina Glass they looked amazing against St Pauls Cathedral
With the win came an exclusive Chopard timepiece at prize giving together with beautiful Art Deco styled trophies supplied by Mdina Glass and the acknowledgement from all involved that it was his day.
The weekend was over but the memories will live long, social media is alive with images of the event, especially the last day. As the sunburnt, happy faces drifted away from the paddock there was already plenty of talk about doing it all again next year. I most definitely would be happy to do it all again next weekend. My sincere thanks must go to the organisers, marshals and drivers who put on one hell of a show.
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Ermes Formilan’s 1922 Fiat 501 entertained all weekend and was very fast on the hill
