Victory and record for Merli at the 49th Subida a Chantada/Spain

Christian Merli has won the 49th Subida a Chantada in Galicia in northern Spain, establishing a new track record with his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM. It was the fourth round of the Spanish hill climb championship. In his first ever race on this 4.300 km track, Merli dominated all three practice sessions and all three race heats, leaving his opponents no chance. He improved the record – which had been established by local driver Iraola Lanzagorta in 2022 – by 5”385. The European champion definitely lived up to expectations.

Christian’s comments
“It went well, very well even. In the third race heat we beat the record with used tyres. The welcome was just fantastic. I’d like to thank Team Portaespingote, made up of young fans who raised the necessary economic support to host us. The organisers had been trying to bring me here for two years, but unfortunately there was always a clash with other commitments. We were invited, and they took care of our entire cost. We tried to repay them and not disappoint.”

Saturday: Practice and one race heat
After a rainy night, Saturday sees the first practice heat in the sun. In front of a large crowd, Merli finishes in 1’43”022 in his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM, 1”592 ahead of local driver and 2022 winner Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta with the Nova M20 FC. The German Alexander Hin with the other Osella FA 30 prepared by Team Merli is third, 8”977 behind.
In the second practice heat, the ranking is the same. Merli improves his time by three seconds, followed by Iraola Lanzagorta and Hin.
In the first race heat, the Scuderia Vimotorsport driver sees the clocks stop on 1’38”527, a new track record. Iraola Lanzagorta follows 1”655 behind, Hin is third.

Sunday: Practice and two race heats
A third practice heat in the morning, followed by two more race heats. In practice, Merli finishes first, ahead of Iraola Lanzagorta and Hin. In the second race heat Merli clocks a time of 1’38”575, the local driver is 1”167 behind. Finally the third race heat, after which the time of the slowest heat is cancelled.
In 1’37”409 Merli dominates the third race heat too and breaks the record once more. Iraola Lanzagorta is second, Hin is third.

Podium overall
1st Merli (Osella FA 30 Judd LRM), 2nd Iraola Lanzagorta (Nova M20 FC), 3rd Senin Pereira (Norma M20 FC).

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer