Christian Merli starting at the Coppa Nissena in Sicily
After his victory at Erice, Christian Merli is now in Caltanissetta in Sicily to race his Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM at the 64th Coppa Nissena, the penultimate round of the Italian hill climb championship CIVM, on Sunday. After his European championship win, the Team Blue City Motorsport leader has returned to the fight for the Italian season title, where he has dominated Race 1 at Nevegal as well as the races at Verzegnis, Ascoli, Trento – Bondone, Sarnano and Erice.
The final three CIVM races – Erice, Coppa Nissena and Luzzi – each have a point coefficient of 1.5. Merli is currently leading the standings with 120 points, with Magliona only 0.5 points behind. Cubeda is third, at 111. The Coppa Nissena comprises two race heats on a 5.450 km track.
Christian’s comments before the race
“The last time I took part in the Coppa Nissena was in 2015. A fast race, just a few bends at the start and then a series of fast double bends. Half way through there is a chicane to reduce the speed. You can’t afford to make any mistakes, and I’ll do everything I can to secure the maximum number of points, since I missed a number of races in Italy because I was competing in the European championship.”
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) – winner Christian Merli, 10 June: Coppa Selva di Fasano (Apulia) – Magliona, 24 June: Coppa Paolino Teodori (Marche) – winner Christian Merli, 1 July: Trento – Bondone (Trentino) – winner Christian Merli, 22 July: Salita Morano Campotenese (Calabria) – Domenico Cubeda (Osella FA 30), 5 Aug: Trofeo Scarfiotti (Marche) – winner Christian Merli, 19 Aug: Trofeo Luigi Fagioli (Umbria) – Magliona, 2 Sept: Pedavena – Croce d’Aune (Veneto) – Magliona, 16 Sept: Monte Erice (Sicily) – winner Christian Merli, 23 Sept: Coppa Nissena (Sicily), 7 Oct: Luzzi Sambucina (Calabria).
Ruth Scheithauer