Maltese motorsport made its mark across Europe last weekend, with hillclimb driver Zach Zammit competing in the UK and karting driver Jacob Micallef achieving a career-best result in Italy.
On Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June, Zammit took part in the 5th round of the British Hillclimb Championship and the 4th round of the Midland Hillclimb Championship at the iconic Shelsley Walsh course. Despite battling typical British weather — damp conditions on Saturday and scattered rain on Sunday — Zammit showcased his skill behind the wheel.
Plagued by gearbox issues throughout the weekend, Zammit managed to adapt and perform strongly. His first timed run was fast enough to win his class, qualify for the run-off, and place 8th overall in that segment. Unfortunately, a mechanical failure on his final run — caused by a backfire that bent the throttle body blade — forced him to retire, narrowly missing out on the second run-off qualification.
Despite the setback, Zammit expressed optimism:
“The better news is that the car upgrades we brought to the event worked perfectly. We’ve eliminated the issue we had on the straights and hit 137mph at the finish line — a personal best for us.”
Zammit still ranks second in Midland Hillclimb Championship
Zammit’s consistency is paying off. After competing in only two of the first five rounds, he currently ranks as one of the British Top 12 run-off drivers and holds 15th overall in the championship standings. In the Midland Hillclimb Championship, he stands second in class, a remarkable feat given his partial participation compared to full-season competitors.
Jacob Micallef making waves in karting
Meanwhile, in Viterbo, Lazio, another Maltese talent was making waves. Between 5th and 8th June, Jacob Micallef competed in the FIA European Karting Championship, finishing an impressive 3rd place — his best result to date in international karting. Racing against some of the top young drivers in his category, Micallef’s podium finish is a major milestone in his developing career.
Micallef’s next challenge will be in Wackersdorf, Germany, where the championship continues from 27th to 29th June.
Both performances reflect the growing strength of Maltese drivers in international motorsport, with Zammit and Micallef proving that Malta can compete with the best on some of Europe’s most demanding circuits.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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