Christian Merli conquers Ascoli
A weekend to remember for Christian Merli. The Team Blue City Motorsport leader in the Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM dominates the 57th edition of the Coppa Paolino Teodori in Ascoli. It is the 7th round of the European Hill Climb Championship and the 4th round of the Italian championship CIVM. The Scuderia Vimotorsport driver thus returns home not only with the 20 CIVM points but also with the 25 points that yield him the sole leadership of the European standings. On top of that, he establishes the new track record. It is his fourth overall victory in the European championship and his second in Italy, plus the win in Race 1 at Nevegal. Six new records in Europe, in seven events, and three in the Italian championship.
Christian’s reaction
“It couldn’t have gone better. A fantastic weekend. After a first heat on a slippery surface we made a few modifications and managed a perfect second run with a new track record. We already got some interesting results in practice. Then we made some changes to our single-seater for the race to boost the performance of the Avon tyres, which were perfect. We could not ask for more, with maximum points in both the Italian championship and in the European one, where I am now the sole leader. Allow me to dedicate this performance to my friend and fan Fedele from Teramo, who gifted me with his friendship and passion in all these years.”
Practice
In the first practice session on the 5.031 km track Christian Merli finishes first in 2’10”84. Magliona with the Norma M20 FC is second, 4”16 behind, and Cubeda with the Osella FA 30 is third, 4”46 behind. In the second session, Christian stops the clock on 2’08”12, which is below the record of 2’09”38 established by Simone Faggioli in 2016 in the Norma M20 FC. Behind him, Magliona and Cubeda.
Race 1
Victory and official new record for Merli in 2’07”78. Cubeda is 3”01 behind, Magliona 3”39.
Race 2
Christian gains the best time in 2’07”00, breaking the record yet again, followed by Cubeda and Magliona.
The Race 1 Italian championship podium
1st Merli (Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM), 2nd Cubeda (Osella FA 30) 3”01 behind, 3rd Magliona (Norma M20 FC) 3”39 behind.
The Race 2 Italian championship podium
1st Merli (Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM), 2nd Cubeda (Osella FA 30) 4”47 behind, 3rd Magliona (Norma M20 FC) 4”86 behind.
The European championship podium
1st Merli (Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM) in 4’14”78, 2nd Cubeda (Osella FA 30) 7”48 behind, 3rd Magliona (Norma M20 FC) 8”25 behind.
The calendar of the 2018 Italian hill climb championship CIVM
6 May: Alpe del Nevegal (Belluno province) – winner Omar Magliona (Norma M20 FC), 27 May: Verzegnis – Sella Chianzutan (Friuli Venezia Giulia region) – Christian Merli, 10 June: Coppa Selva di Fasano (Apulia) – Magliona, 24 June: Coppa Paolino Teodori (Marche) – Merli, 1 July: Trento – Bondone (Trentino), 22 July: Salita Morano Campotenese (Calabria), 5 Aug: Trofeo Scarfiotti (Marche), 19 Aug: Trofeo Luigi Fagioli (Umbria), 2 Sept: Pedavena – Croce d’Aune (Veneto), 16 Sept: Monte Erice (Sicily), 23 Sept: Coppa Nissena (Sicily), 7 Oct: Luzzi Sambucina (Calabria).
Ruth Scheithauer