Silver for Christian Merli at the 20th Subida Arona at Tenerife

An event held in a single day. The morning saw the official practice at the 20th Subida Arona – La Escalona at Tenerife; the first race run in the afternoon took place in the rain – a rare event in the Canary Islands –, followed by the second race run. As per the regulations the best result was retained. The winner was Simone Faggioli in his Norma M20 FC. Christian Merli in his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM finished in second place, just 1”117 behind.

Christian’s comments
“Cold and rain, unusual weather conditions for the Canary Islands. In practice I had little grip; in the first race run the track was wet towards the finish, and times went up. In the second run I still used medium tyres, since I didn’t have soft ones available. I hadn’t planned for bad weather, and we wouldn’t have had enough space in our van anyway. Against Faggioli I have to give more than 100 per cent, but it’s OK. It happens, and congratulations to him for his perfect race. We’re now staying at Tenerife, having been invited to race at the 18th Subida Los Loros at Arafo. An 8.100 km hill climb in the direction of Santa Cruz, which I’ve never done.”

The event day
On the winding 4.400 km track Simone Faggioli (Norma M20 FC) tops the timesheet in practice, with Christian Merli (Osella FA 30 Judd LRM) in second place, only 0”099 behind. The schedule included just one practice run in the morning and two race runs in the afternoon, with the best result in a race run being retained. In the first race run the 2023 Italian hill climb champion in the Norma is first, 1”357 ahead of the European champion. The second race run is the decisive one. Again Faggioli scores the fastest time, with Merli 1”117 behind. With the better result retained, Faggioli wins the event; Merli is fastest among the singleseaters and second overall. Bronze goes to Franco Caruso (Nova Proto NP1), who is 2”677 behind.

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer