Little red number

In the 1960s, many Maltese motor racing enthusiasts used to flock to the Targa Florio car race, rally and hill climb events held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. A few of them even took part in the activities, but most went to watch in awe the brave motorists and fast machines participating in the oldest sports motor racing event which started in 1906.

Joseph Scicluna was one of those spectators.

“The atmosphere there whetted the appetite of the racing fraternity that came to Targa Florio from far and wide. The daring drivers in their Porsches, Fiats and Alfa Romeos left an indelible mark on my psyche,” he recounts.

Back in Malta, Scicluna tried to practise what he saw. Once he got his driving licence, he bought his first car, a new Fiat 125.

“I used the blue vehicle as my everyday car, but being fascinated by speed and sport racing, the engine was soon customised for the local unofficial road races, which in those days used to be held at Ta’ Qali, tal-Barrani, Mqabba road, and the Kappara junction.”

He adds that the local Fiat agents, through the good offices of Stephen Micallef, sponsored him on many occasions, and the car was serviced and maintained by Charles...