Imola, May 29th 2005.
While top level racing wrings its hands over the USGP and the rest of the fans ogle Danica Patrick, in Europe, exciting, rough and tumble racing continues to draw huge crowds. The World Touring Car Championship is alive and well, and the main protagonists are BMW and Alfa Romeo.
If you like, the WTCC can be compared to NASCAR, but we shall pass on that in the name of sanity. In any event (and this one in particular), Alfa has been particularly successful, winning the Constructor's Title from 2000 through 2003.
All of this is due to the amazing (and unobtainable here) Alfa 156, which has won 14 touring car titles since 1998.
Unfortunately, not only can't you have a 156 Stateside, but apparently you will not be able to watch the series this year on SpeedChannel, either. For a few Camelot-like years, Speed presented the British, German and FIA Touring car series at the end of the season. Much belated but much appreciated. But a quick check at the upcoming program schedule does not list any Touring car races this year. No room for real road racing on NASCAR dominated SpeedChannel.
In addition to racing the 156, Alfa has set up a single make series, using the Alfa 147. Now in its third year, the Alfa 147GTA Cup is specifically for Alfa's racing customers. Six events will be conducted on the same weekend as the WTCC at selected venues.
This year, we sent photographer Mario Marchesini to follow the Alfa team at Imola on May 29th. Thanks to him, we can see a bit of the action, particularly in the pits. It was hot, humid, dusty and trying. Alfa won the first race anyway, with Fabrizio Giovanardi taking the cup. Alfa newcomer Augusto Farfus placed third in his 156, and James Thompson 7th. The fourth member of Alfa Romeo Racing Team (official name), GabrieleTarquini, managed 15th.
The GT race, also scheduled for the same weekend, was won by a Corvette, but Ferrari placed second and the Maserati MC12 filled the next three places.
18 wheeler-alley indicates that Alfa is serious about its racing efforts. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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James Thompson's 156 being prepared in the garage. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Alfa front brakes have four pistons in those calipers, disc diameter is 330mm. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Traditional Alfa engine is a four cylinder, 1998cc but puts out 275 bhp at 8450 rpm. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Gabriele Tarquini sits ready race.
Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Thompson takes out the Alfa to qualify in 10th position. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Alfas are also raced independently; here Andreas Larini warms its tires on the grid. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Larini gets polished to do battle. He placed 23rd overall. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Alfas of Larini and Tavano in pits. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Chevy Lacetti, Robert Huff, driver. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Chevy engine. 4 cylinder, DOHC, Front wheel drive. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Hot day on the grid, Alfa mechanics cover the 156 of Fabrizio Giovanardi. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Thompson, who drove for Honda and Vauxhall, pulls into the pits. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Alessandro Zanardi (Alex to his fans) placed 8th in the BMW 320i. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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For the GT event, Maserati put on quite a display... Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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...and did not to forget to include the food. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Road going MC12 in paddock area. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Maserati Trofeo cockpit. Nice but we're not sure about that white beading. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Trofeo Maseratis in abundance. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Babini-Biagi MC12 comes into the pits... Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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...and seconds later it's too hot to handle. Nevertheless the team placed third. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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Empty film containers are available free from our photographer. Photo copyright Mario Marchesini.
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