Christian Merli 2nd at Morano

Second place in both races, a result Christian Merli clearly is not happy with. The champion from Trentino was racing in the 10th edition of the Morano – Campotenese hill climb near Cosenza in Calabria, the 8th round of the Italian hill climb championship CIVM. He had scored victory here in 2019, breaking the track record. The 7.100 km track saw two practice heats on Saturday and two race heats on Sunday.

Christian’s comments
“What to say? We had a very hard time, and we have to find out why. I didn’t even make my time from two years ago. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I was certainly hoping for more. At least we’re again first in E2-SS, the single-seater category.”

Practice
After the two official practice runs Merli is in pole position. He leads the first session in 2’42”55, followed by Cubeda in the other Osella, whereas Faggioli is hindered by a technical problem. In the second run, Christian comes again in first, 1”20 ahead of Faggioli.

The race
It is Faggioli who wins Race 1 in his Norma, establishing a new track record in 2’38”44. Merli is second, 1”63 behind, and Cubeda third, 4”76 behind. Race 2 is a carbon copy of the first. Faggioli sets yet another record in 2’37”91, followed by Merli and Cubeda.

The podium of Race 1
1st Faggioli (Norma M20 FC), 2nd Merli (Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM) 1”63 behind, 3rd Cubeda (Osella FA 30) 4”76 behind.

The podium of Race 2
1st Faggioli (Norma M20 FC), 2nd Merli (Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM) 2”60 behind, 3rd Cubeda (Osella FA 30) 5”58 behind.

The remaining rounds of the Italian hill climb championship CIVM
22 August: Trofeo Silvio Molinaro, Luzzi – Sambucina (Calabria), 5 September: Pedavena – Croce d’Aune (Veneto), 19 September: Monte Erice (Sicily), 26 September: Coppa Nissena, Caltanissetta (Sicily).

Ruth Scheithauer