Christian Merli racing at the 22nd Levico – Vetriolo

Sunday will see the 22nd edition of the Levico – Vetriolo Panarotta hill climb, the Trofeo Francesco Pera, near Trento. It is the third round of the Italian hill climb championship (northern zone), on a 7.880 km track with two chicanes.
Christian Merli will be racing his Osella PA 21 4C Turbo with its 1170 cm3 engine which produces 400 hp. He has been assigned the competition number 4.

Returning to the site of his first ever competitive race
“Yes, Levico was my very first race. It was in 1993 and I was driving the Peugeot 205 in class 1600.”

Participation in doubt
“Unfortunately, after Austria, I’ve been suffering from painful epicondylitis in my left forearm. Yesterday my physiotherapist advised me absolute rest, considering the upcoming race on the European calendar in Spain on 12 May. I’d be very sorry not to be at the start of this race near Trento, and I’ll do my best to be there. After all these years I’d also need to study the track. I’m in a lot of pain, it’s very annoying and it’s persistent. Apparently, the only solution would be to rest. Everything is in doubt and I’ll do what I possibly can so as not to disappoint my friends and fans. I’m certainly not one hundred percent.”

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer