MDINA GRAND PRIX 2014

EVENT CONTACT PERSONS Enquiries for the 2014 event participation are kindly requested to contact: MALTA OFFICE Josef Abela - Technical Director Mobile: (+356) 9947 7735 | Email: [email protected] Ivan Bartolo - PR & Marketing Mobile: (+356) 9947 3377 | Email: [email protected] UK OFFICE Ronn Middleton Mobile: 44 (0) 7765 135096 | Email: [email protected] RAPPRESENTANTE IN ITALIA Dr. Matthew Camilleri Mobile: +39 3428730591 | Email: [email protected]

MDINA GRAND PRIX 2014 09 - 12 October

VALLETTA GRAND PRIX FOUNDATION

THE VALLETA GRAND PRIX FOUNDATION – FIVE YEARS ON In October, 2007 a French entrepreneur and classic car enthusiast by the name of Thierry Giovannini successfully organized Malta’s first ever Classic Car Grand Prix on the ring road circling the capital city of Valletta. On that occasion, Malta saw some of Europe’s finest classic cars touring around our Islands and bringing the event to a climax with a weekend of breathtaking wheel to wheel racing on the Valletta circuit. There was an incredible array of cars ranging from 1920’s and 1930’s Bugattis to 1950’s Ferraris and a Maserati, Jaguars, an Alfa Romeo P2, a Ford GT40, all prestigious cars, and many others. Such was the interest generated by this singular event amongst local classic car enthusiasts that a number of them got together and, on 19th April, 2009, the Valletta Grand Prix Foundation was set up for the purpose, primarily, of carrying on with what Thierry Giovannini had started: the holding of an annual classic car racing event round the Valletta ring road. The Foundation’s first of such events for local participants was held that same year, with the backing of local authorities and a handful of adventurous sponsors, and it proved to be a great success among participants, enthusiasts and the public at large. This was then followed by a larger and equally successful event on the Valletta circuit, this time with overseas participants taking part, in 2010. The following year, however, owing to the commencement of massive construction works undertaken by Government on the approach roads and the entrance to Valletta, which has been selected to be the 2018 European Capital for Culture, the Foundation was forced to seek another suitable venue for its annual event. It was no surprise that the choice fell on Mdina, the Old Capital City of Malta, which proffered a 2.2 Km circuit which seemed to have been purposely laid out for street car racing. Starting off from the Old Train Station beneath the majestic walls of the Medieval City, crossing the valley to beneath Mtarfa, a small town that housed British Military Barracks and a Military Hospital for almost a century, and returning to beneath the walls of Mdina, this circuit offered challenging corners, a hill climb and narrow winding roads, with sufficient straights to allow overtaking and provide as many thrills as any driver could wish for. With the backing of local authorities, the Foundation’s event was transferred in 2011 to this new circuit, where it has remained in the two years that followed, growing in stature and popularity, with the participation of prestige local and foreign vehicles, being well backed by more and more sponsors of repute and attracting ever increasing numbers of spectators, both local and foreign. Now, in its fourth year, the Mdina Grand Prix again promises to be yet another fantastic event, offering local and overseas participants a weekend of street racing and hill climbing on a separate track, as well as a Concours d’ Elegance held in the main square of the Medieval City, in which the finest local period cars and motorbikes will vie for trophies with the swelling numbers of overseas participants’ entries. For those who are interested, there shall also be offered, as in previous years, cultural tours throughout the Island of Malta and its sister Island, Gozo.

Photo: Matthew Scerri

Photo: Audrey Camilleri

EVENT PROGRAMME The Mdina Grand Prix 2014 will be held this year between the 9th October and 12th October. As late summer beckons the arrival of early autumn, the Mdina street track, set in the idyllic countryside beneath the imposing bastions of the Old Capital City, will be host, for the fourth successive year, to the Mdina Grand Prix, promising a magical weekend of classic car racing, with various cultural and other activities being organised for overseas participants and their guests over the preceding days. Thursday 9th October 2014 0900hrs to 1600hrs Hill Climb at Mtahleb & BBQ on site. Friday 10th October 2014 1100hrs to 1600hrs Mdina Glass Concours d’Elegance. Following the success of the Mdina Glass Concours d’Elegance last year, this glamorous event will once again be held in Mdina. The Island’s best classic cars will be joined by our overseas participants, and a festive atmosphere is guaranteed, with live soft music filling the air and competing car owners in period attire. Saturday 11th October 2014 09000hrs to 1600hrs Practice + Qualifying 1600hrs to 1700hrs Paddock Area open to the general public Sunday 12th October 2014 0900 to 1600hrs – The racing is on.

PROGRAMMA DEGLI EVENTI L’edizione 2014 del Mdina Grand Prix si svolgera tra il 9 e il 12 Ottobre. Mentre l’ estate lascia spazio all’ autunno, il circuito cittadino di Mdina, ubicato in un idilliaca atmosfera di campagna dominata dagli imponenti Bastioni della vecchia Capitale, la quale ospita per il quarto anno successivo questo importante evento che promette un Magico fine settimana di entusiasmanti gare di auto d’epoca e di altre attivita culturali organizzate per gli ospiti stranieri nei giorni precedenti. Giovedi 9 Ottobre 2014 09.00 - 16.00 Gara in Salita e Grigliata nel villaggio di Mtahleb Venerdi 10 Ottobre 2014 11.00 - 16.00 Concorso di Eleganza “Mdina Glass” A seguito del grande successo ottenuto negli anni precedenti, il Concorso di Eleganza “Mdina Glass” si svolgera nuovamente nella Vecchia Capitale Mdina. Le migliori auto classiche locali si uniranno insieme ai partecipanti stranieri e una festiva atmosfera sara garantita con musica dal vivo che veleggera nell’aria. Sabato 11 Ottobre 2014 09.00 - 16.00 Pratica e qualifiche 16.00 - 17.00 Apertura al pubblico del Paddock Area Domenica 12 Ottobre 2014 09.00 - 16.00 - Gare

Photo: Kenneth Ellul

Photo: Audrey Camilleri

Photo: Kenneth Ellul

Photo: Audrey Camilleri

PROGRAMME DE L’ÉVÉNEMENT Le Mdina Grand Prix 2014 aura lieu cette année entre le 9 octobre et le 12 octobre. L’été prolongé annonce l’arrivée prématurée de l’automne, donc la piste routière de Mdina, gravée dans la campagne idyllique au pied des bastions majestueux de l’ancienne Cité capitale, accueillera le Mdina Grand Prix, pour la quatrième année de suite, ce qui assure un weekend magique de courses classiques de voitures, accompagné d’un éventail d’activités culturelles et d’autres, organisées pour les participants venus d’outre-mer et leurs invités les jours précédents. Jeudi, 9 octobre 2014 09h.00 à 16h.00 Randonnée de basse montagne à Mtaħleb & BBQ sur place Vendredi, 10 octobre 2014 11h.00 à 16h.00 Mdina Glass concours d’Élégance Suite au succès du Mdina Glass Concours d’Élégance l’année dernière, cet événement fascinant aura encore lieu à Mdina. Les meilleures voitures classiques de l’Île se joindront à celles de nos participants d’outre-mer, et une ambiance festive est garantie, comprenant de la douce musique de fond en direct, ainsi que les propriétaires des voitures concurrentes en costume d’époque. Samedi, 11 octobre 2014 09h.00 à 16h.00 Pratique et qualification 16h.00hrs à 17h.00 Enclos ouvert au grand public Dimanche, 12 octobre 2014 09h.00 à 16h.00 - Les courses

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DE PAULE AVENUE, SAN ANTON BZN 9023, MALTA T: +356 2544 3001 | F: +356 2146 5713 | [email protected] | CORINTHIA.COM

Photo: Matthew Scerri

Photo: Audrey Camilleri

Photo: David Axisa

Photo: Grant Ford

Photo: David Axisa

Photo: Charlene Vella

It is my pleasure to welcome this year’s edition of the Mdina Grand Prix, which marks the 6th edition since it was originally organised. By now this event has proven to be an all time success not only with local car enthusiasts but also with a number of foreigners. The majestic bastions of Mdina, provide a magnificent backdrop to this prestigious event, in such way that both participants and tourists can appreciate the historical richness and culture of this unique city. The Mdina Grand prix complements our efforts to extend our tourism offer also during the shoulder and winter months. This event has successfully established itself as a niche event to which many visitors look forward to year after year. I would like to congratulate Valletta Grand Prix Foundation for their dedication and hard work throughout the whole year. I would also like to wish all participants and spectators an enjoyable experience. Hon. Karmenu Vella MP Minister for Tourism

All around the World, numerous Classic cars’ Grand Prix are held. However, without any shadow of doubt, the one that we hold in Malta has its unique character and is the envy of everybody. Whether this Grand Prix is held in the streets surrounding the Valletta Bastions or in the streets surrounding Mdina, we can boast of having a natural picturesque setting. To complement this backdrop, we then have the prima donnas of the event, the classic cars. The usual mild climate of our October days is the cherry on the cake of the event. No wonder that this event is attracting thousands of Maltese and foreigners alike. This is the perfect event for all car enthusiasts and a great day out for the whole family. I will continue to support such niche sports initiatives, which events will attract sports tourism to these Islands and at the same time offer alternative quality time for the whole family. I thank this opportunity to wish the organisers a successful 2014 Mdina Grand Prix. Hon. Stefan Buontempo MP Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport

It is always gives me immense pleasure when the opportunity arises to voice our commitment towards the local motoring scene. The Mdina Grand Prix now in its fourth edition brings around an excellent show case of some superb classic cars, Maltese history and the opportunity of sounding such events away from our shores. We as a department and government believe fully on such initiative, our support towards these events illustrates the direction the present government has taken, supporting anything that is an attraction managed in a professional way and most important attracting foreign tourists both as participants and spectators to our wonderful island, also rendering an added boost to our tourist economy. My involvement to such events is of utmost importance, backed up by an excellent team from my ministry, departments, and also TM who together have been instrumental in helping out to making such events an unforgettable experience. The commitment shown is yet another endorsement the way forward for this government that takes pride in supporting such initiates when these are staged with dedication, passion and most important professionally. Permit me to wish you all the very best, once more making the Mdina Grand Prix 2014 another success story. Hon. Joe Mizzi MP Minister for Transport and the Infrastructure

Malta - The beating heart of the Mediterranean Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso’s Cave – The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages lead to the main square, which is invariably dominated by the huge baroque church. As the countryside is dotted with medieval towers, wayside chapels and the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum. The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with a total population of over 400,000 inhabitants occupying an area of 316 square kilometers.

The arts have always played a large role in Maltese culture and continue to do so with cultural events occurring frequently. The National Museum of Fine Arts, housed in an exuberant Rococo building dating from the 1570’s, exhibits some magnificent art, ranging from the early Renaissance to modern times. Both established and budding artists are encouraged to display their efforts through publicly-supported programs. There is always an exhibition of some kind running.

Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture. Comino, the smallest of the trio, has one hotel and is largely uninhabited. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. This historic legacy, unique in the Mediterranean, is reflected in the country’s national architecture and collections. There are so many areas of heritage and culture to be explored – the 16th century masterpiece Grandmasters’ Palace, which is now parliament, the “Sacra Infermeria”, which is now a fully equipped conference centre, the St. James Centre for Creativity – a superbly restored fortification where contemporary works of art are exhibited against the original rough-textured walls and rediscovered spaces. With these buildings, past and present blend into an enduring and admirable lesson in the art of living.

Theatre and music are also very popular in the Islands. A variety of theatres - including the Valletta’s Manoel Theatre and two opera houses in Victoria (Gozo) - as well as several open-air venues offer wide selection of plays, musicals, operas and concerts.

MDINA GRAND PRIX 2014

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2.2km circuit

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VALLETTA GRAND PRIX FOUNDATION

VALLETTA GRAND PRIX FOUNDATION

Valletta Grand Prix Foundation 302, St. Paul Street, Valletta VLT1213 MALTA Mobile: (+356) 9947 3377

www.vallettagrandprix.com