MEET THE DRIVERS

KEITH CAMIILLERI

We start a series of interviews with ICC drivers with the current Overall Leader xof the 2020 Championship and of Group 5 Class 1. Keith Camilleri, 27, works at Chevron Creative Solutions. He started racing go karts, then moved on to his first car, a Honda Delsol. In 2013 he started racing a Radical Prosport 1596cc N/A Hayabusa. He has raced regularly since then, winning the local

CHRIS TABONE

Island Car Club welcomes new faces to the sport many times as day guests. This year the first Round at Gnejna saw a number of new drivers. 34 year old Chris Tabone was one of them. Driving his Honda Delsol up Gnejna Hill for his first experience was a thrill for him. And what a debut it was!! Chris won his class and therefore pocketed his first trophy. Though he had never actually rac

JEAN VELLA

Jean Vella, at the age of 46, is currently one of the eldest single seater drivers racing with Island Car Club. Being a mechanic himself, Jean keeps his Formula Jedi F1000 in tip top condition. Jean started racing when he was 18, with a Fiat 128 3p. His next car was a Peugeot 205 Rallye. He then moved to Scotland where he raced go karts on a professional basis. He won the Rookie Champio

ETIENNE GRECH

Some ICC drivers do not just race their cars, but also give a helping hand in motorsport events. One such driver is Etienne Grech, known as Tyanu. In fact Tyanu is a regular helper at the Mdina Grand Prix, the weekend event in October which he looks forward to like the majority of motorsport enthusiasts. Etienne has always raced a Citroen. His first hill climb, 13 years back, was with

CALVIN LEE MIFSUD

Another new face to the sport this year is 20 year old Calvin Lee Mifsud. Calvin tried his Honda Civic EM1 for the first time at the first Round of the Enemed National Hill Climb and Sprint Championship at Gnejna as a day Guest. His participation also saw him come first under his category so guarantees him a trophy at the end of season presentation. Calvin loves motorsport and his

MAURO PORTELLI

A regular participant in most motorsport events, including ICC events, is 28 years old Mauro Portelli . His first hill climb championship was in 2012. His first car was an Alfa 33, which is still his favourite. He then moved on to a 500 Abarth. In 2016 he started racing a Formula OMS SF2 single seater, which he has been racing since. Mauro is a big fan of Alfa Romeo. In fact he is a

MATT GATT

Another young driver participating at ICC events is 23 year old Matt Gatt. Matt started hill climbs at the age of 18 with a Subaru Impreza. He now races a Doda SR 1 single seater. Matt won his class championship in 2018. He has yet to drive abroad. Xaghra Gozo is his favourite hill climb. He also participates in pursuit events in Malta. His advice to new drivers is to never give up and wh

CLIFFORD DEBONO

As part of its championship, Island Car Club has a separate Group for Classic Cars, which class is split into Classic Standard and Classic Modified. A good number of the participants of Malta Classic also take part in ICC hill climbs. One such driver is Clifford Debono. Clifford is no new name in the local racing scene, having participated in the Malta Classic for a number of years,

ROBERT MUSCAT

Robert Muscat started his racing experience at the Malta Classic 3 years ago at the age of 47. Last year he competed for the first time with ICC. Robert drives an MG Sebring V8 in the Classic Modified class, a class which he won last year. Robert has also attended the Historic Weekend at Racalmuto in 2019, and also tried a time attack at Racalmuto. Last year he finished 6th overall at

JAMES DUNFORD

Another familiar face in the hillclimb scene is that of James Dunford. James, 46, has been racing since 2008. He started the sport with a Honda Civic Type R, moving to a Subaru Impreza, then a Radical PR6 and finally moving on to his current car, a Norma M20F, in 2018. Apart from Malta, James also participated in hill climbs in Italy and Sicily, notably the FIA Hillclimb masters held

ANDREW CASSAR

This year ICC saw the return of Andrew Cassar to the hill climb scene. Andrew started his racing exploits with his first hill climb at the age of 18, with an Alfa Sud. He moved on to his current car, a Toyota Celica GT 4, in 2007. He has been racing in Malta and abroad for almost 30 years. His favourite event is the Mdina GP. His favourite hill climbs are Mtahleb and Mont’Erice in Sic

KURT CAMILLERI

Another young driver participating at ICC events is 29 year old, car dealer Kurt Camilleri. Kurt started racing some 12 years ago with a Mitsubishi Evo. 4 years ago he moved to his current car, a Radical Pro Sport. Kurt has experienced racing abroad, doing pre-season testing with Lamborghini Super Trofeo and TCR Italia. He also raced at the Gubbio FIA Hill Climb Masters, placing 3rd

TERENCE VELLA

Terence Vella is another regular ICC driver, having started his hill climbing experience in 2007 with a Honda CRX. In 2014 he moved on to a single seater, his current Radical Club Sport, which started with a 1100cc Kawasaki engine, now has a 1475cc powertec Suzuki engine. Terrence is hoping to experience racing abroad at some point this year. Hill climb is his favourite racing event b

DARREN CAMILLERI

A regular driver with ICC is Darren Camilleri, better known amongst the motorsport community as Il-Hassu. Darren started hill climbs 12 years ago with a Toyota Celica GT 4, moving to his current Formula Tatuus Honda two years ago. Darren also races hill climbs in Sicily, Monte Erice being his favourite. His most cherished moment to date in racing is placing 9th out of 300 cars at

PATRICK GAUCI

One of the most experienced ICC drivers is Patrick Gauci. Patrick drives one of the oldest single seaters from the current participants, having driven the Hawke DL6B for the last 20 years. He started hill climbing with a Fiat Uno, 32 years ago, moving on to an MG Metro, and then the Hawke. Patrick has participated in hill climbs, pursuits, rallies, auto tests, off road events, and aut