Motorcycles in Malta

Fast track to M. Demajo & Co Ltd

The Malta Motor Cycle and Car Club, which was active from the late 1940s but became defunct by the mid-1950s, had organized occasional rallies and at least one motorcycle and car hill climb, at Ghar Lapsi. Besides fun events like the ever popular treasure hunts and gymkhanas, the FMC also organized motorcycle and car hill climbs, autotests and rallies, including a motorcycle and car All-Night Rally. What was important was that these major motor events in Malta, usually held with a frequency of one a month, were run strictly to RAC Regulations, with some unavoidable modifications to cater for local conditions. The first motorcycle and car hill climb in Malta for many years was held at Mizieb in 1961 under RAC Regulations and was a huge success. It was won by a Sergeant Penny driving a Speedwell conversion of an Austin Healey Sprite. Maltese members' years of exposure to this rigorously professional approach proved invaluable when the British forces eventually left Malta and the Maltese members took over the running of the club completely.

The club then went through two or three name changes, first dropping 'Forces' from its name and, when new legislation prohibited the use of the word 'Malta', changing from Malta Driving Club to Island Car Club. Though its name changed the club's serious approach to organizing competition events never faltered and in fact strengthened considerably over time. Among other things it pioneered the use of electronic timing equipment, and has been generally recognized as the benchmark for organizational arrangements, regularly providing equipment and marshals for other clubs' events.

In December 2000, the club made local history under the guidance of the then PR0 Antonella Muscat, by being the first motorcycle and car sport organization having it's own website. Today, islandcarclub.com is one of the most visited Maltese motorsport website, serving thousands of visitors every month.