The Malta Classic 2018 was the eleventh edition of the classic event, which is largely unknown outside the small Mediterranean island. That's a shame, because where else is there the opportunity to drive an old-school race on completely normal roads? The concept is quite simple: on Thursday there is a hill climb, on Friday a Concours d'Elegance in the middle of the historic market square of the former capital Mdina and on Saturday and Sunday training and racing on a spectacular road course at the foot of the old town.
The lion's share of the just over 60 participants were recruited from the island. Be they Maltese or British living there. Very few continental Europeans had found their way to Malta. One of them was Egon Hofer from Salzburg, who had probably brought the most spectacular and most expensive vehicle with him in the form of his Ferrari 212E Montagna, which had been preserved in its original condition. Incidentally, this was the very car with which Peter Schetty from Basel had won the racing car category of the European Hillclimb Championship in 1969 in commanding style.
Hill Climb Mtableb
After several years on the fast bypass of the town of Millieha in the northern part of the island, this time the hill climb took place on the very selective, recently resurfaced track in Mtahleb, located directly on the west coast.
Four heats were actually scheduled from 14:30, but due to dawdling, heats for three double starters including return and especially because of the rain that started in the second heat, everything dragged on so much that the race had to be stopped after the third heat to avoid having to drive in the dark at the end. The problems would simply not have arisen if the race had started earlier or run more quickly. The organizer still needs to improve the organization.
In purely sporting terms, Michael and Lucas Pace shone, taking a flawless one-two victory with a lot of heart in their two Honda Accords from 1975, which were certainly not overpowered.
Concours d'Elegance Mdina
The Concours d'Elegance took place directly on the historic market square next to the cathedral and gave many tourists an insight into the classic car scene who would otherwise never come into contact with this genre.
Unfortunately, several rain showers put a spanner in the works. Often enough, the vehicles had to be covered while the participants had to look for a dry spot in their period clothing. Nevertheless, the fans and the numerous spectators got their money's worth.
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Grand Prix Mdina
The 5.1 km long road course was reminiscent in many parts of the Targa Florio on the large neighboring island of Sicily or of many a special stage of the Rally Classico on Mallorca. Barely wider than seven, sometimes only four meters, the challenging track took the drivers back to the early days of motorsport. The field was divided into several groups and, in addition to the qualifying session on Saturday, was allowed to compete in two races of five laps each on Sunday.
Unfortunately, there were also longer periods of rain on both days, especially on Sunday, but this did not detract from the event. There were no major accidents, only one Maltese Formula Monza driver crashed into a wall, but remained uninjured.
Could there have been more?
There is still a long way to go before an event on the scale of a Rallye Classico on Mallorca, but the Malta Classic undoubtedly has real potential. Instead of the concours on Friday, there could be two or three mountain or special stages. Like the Millieha route used so far, for example, where the return journey could be handled easily (and therefore without losing time) via the oncoming lane. More action would also be good for Thursday. Instead of the afternoon, the races should be held in the morning, with everything organized much more tightly.
On the street circuit, the fields could easily be enlarged, the groups reduced and thus the number of laps increased, sometimes only three cars were racing. All in all - especially because of the unique street circuit - the event would benefit from more starters from the continent and they would have a real and exclusive alternative to the Nordschleife, Spa and the like.
