Malta's got one of the oldest drag strips in the World hasn't it Dave?
Maybe it's the influence of all the Military personnel who've been there over the years? (my Dad was stationed there with the Navy after the war).
They're also famous for their old cars, still in use, a bit like Cuba, though I think I read somewhere that they're starting to crack down on them now. I remember a holiday there around 20 years ago when we travelled in a taxi which was a Morris Oxford, with no doors. The distinctive old Maltese busses are being phased out too I think.