Damaged turbo forces Christian Merli to withdraw in Sardinia

Today’s 61st edition of the Alghero Scala Piccada in Sardinia opened the 2023 season of the Italian hill climb championship CIVM. Practice in the dry went well, while Race 1 and Race 2 took place on a wet track. Christian Merli, racing with the Osella 4C, was forced to retire after Race 1 due to a damaged turbocharged engine.

An unexpected damage
“It’s nobodys’s fault. In the second half of the first race run I realised that the turbine had stopped working. It’s a shame, because I’d have liked to do well. When we came down between the two race runs we learned that Achille Lombardi had a spare. He very kindly brought it over to us at once, but the clerk of the course wanted to start Race 2 immediately. There was not enough time to make the change, and we decided to withdraw. But we’re happy with how the practice went; we achieved some very good times.”

Practice
In the first practice session on Saturday the best time goes to Simone Faggioli (Norma M20 FC) followed by Franco Caruso (Nova Proto NP01 3l); Merli is third with the Osella 4C Turbo, 2”34 behind Faggioli. In the second practice run, Faggioli is again first, with Merli 0”29 behind.

Racing in the rain
Faggioli dominates Race 1; Merli finishes fourth despite the damage to the turbocharged engine towards the end of the race. Race 2 follows immediately; Faggioli wins.

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer