The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
By Roberto Motta Photos courtesy and copyright GRAND-AM/Brian Cleary
As we reported last week, the new Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am would be tested at Daytona. The results were a positive debut for Italy 458 Grand Am, concluded after two days of testing at Daytona International Speedway’s track in Florida.
[Read more…] about Ferrari Grand Am Flies at Daytona: In English and Italian
By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari Media
After the GT2, GT3 and Challenge versions of the 458, on 18 July, at the Fiorano circuit, debuted the Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am, a model name one is more likely to remember, if in fact it becomes official nomenclature.
Based on the GT3 version of the Italia and destined for the U.S. Grand Am North American series, it was built in collaboration with Michelotto Cars of Padua, Italy,
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458 Grand Am Italia in English and Italian
By Roberto Motta
All photos by Renault Internal / Press
Part I Construction and Development
The post-war period saw a great development of the aerospace industry. In France, a little team of engineers decided to apply aeronautic technologies to a record car, and the result was the Étoile Filante (Shooting Star). It was a meteoric success….
Antony Berni with his Fiat Abath 1000 TCR.
Words and photos by Roberto Motta
Italian text at end of photo selection
The idea of creating a gathering dedicated to owners of Abarths stems from the fact that there are not many opportunities to enjoy Abarths. Therefore, about a year ago, a few friends and sympathizers of the marque decided to organize the Historic Abarth track day.
Giorgio Solda in a 1979 Formula Fiat Abarth, Carlo Abarth's last project.
Friends included Tony Berni, Abarth specialist and founder of Berni Motors, Perry (Pierangelo) Passini of Franzoni’s Auto Brescia, and Giuseppe Giuffré, president of the Italian Abarth Historic Register.
This year was the second event and was held on June 30 2011 at the Circuit de Francia Corta ‘Daniel Bonera’, (located in the province of Brescia in Lombardy) with participants from all over Europe, had both a race and show. Abarth owners were able to prove their car on the track, and a show is held for those not eager to race. This year the show turned the paddock of the circuit in a real open air museum.
Horst-Pichler with SE021, a 2000 sports prototype built for the 1971 European Constructor's Championship.
The event drew about 100 participants and over fifty cars registered for the track. The cars were divided into four categories, and each category was allowed to use the track for a test period of 25 minutes each.
Berlina 1000 TC Radiale of Giuseppe Giuffré, president of the Italian Abarth Historic Register.
All Black and White images © Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico, Centro Documentazione (Arese, Milano)
This is the third in our series of articles about the 1955-1961 Alfa Giulietta Berlina.
For Italy, the post war era was full of significant changes that would last more than a decade; these were the years of the Cold War as opposed to the dream of a united Europe; the launching of the first atomic-powered submarine; the Warsaw Pact; the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll; Sputnik from the east and Barbie dolls from the west; the success of the Beatles and the death of Kennedy that signaled the end of an era.
[Read more…] about Alfa Berlina 1300, Italian Style
By Roberto Motta
Photos by: Media Audi, Peugeot Media, DPPI, Ferrari and Porsche Werk-Media photo
After the unfortunate experience in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Peugeot is back. Having resolved all the problems the team triumphed at the Circuit Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola 6 hours on July 3rd. [Read more…] about Peugeot Wins at Imola! In English and Italian
A Report by Roberto Motta.
Audi hat-trick at the 79th 24 Hours of Le Mans will go down in history as one of more exciting 24 Hours of Le Mans ever.
By Roberto Motta
Photos by: Media Audi, Citroen commuication, medium and GM Ferrari Media
The 2011 Le Mans will also go down in racing history for the two disastrous accidents involving the Audi team and close finish between the winning Audi of Tréleuyer, Fassler, Lotterer and the second place Peugeot of Bourdais, Lamy and Pagenaud.
[Read more…] about Le Mans, 2011 In English and Italian
COPPA INTEREUROPA STORICA
Over 350 cars entered in more than 16 races, 1500 show cars and the presence of about 20 thousand spectators marked the success of the 2011Coppa Intereuropa, eagerly awaited by lovers of classic cars. Below, Roberto Motta describes this year’s event in both English and Italian (Italian text below photos)
Last weekend, the legendary Monza circuit hosted the 59th Coppa Intereuropa. For three full days drivers from around the world danced between the curbs of the historic Monza circuit. The Coppa Intereuropa is the most important race series for historic cars held in Italy, and one of the most important worldwide.
[Read more…] about Coppa Intereuropa: Overview in English and Italian
All Alfas at the Intereuropa event. Credit Scuderia Portello
Photos by Roberto Motta unless otherwise noted
[Read more…] about Coppa Intereuropa: All Alfas
1965 Renault R-8 Gordini, Valerio Leone.
All photos by Roberto Motta
[Read more…] about Coppa Intereuropa: Sedans and GTs
Photo Story by Roberto Motta.
All Photos by Roberto Motta
[Read more…] about Coppa Intereuropa: Formula Cars and Sports Racers
By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy of Citroën Communication, Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, Ford Motor Company
Earlier this month, with the Rally of Sardinia, we had a glimpse of the future of the WRC with the debut of the Mini and the announcement of the WV Polo R for 2013. Three weeks later, the month of May witnessed the sixth round of the World Rally in 2011, and the second trip to South America. This time it was the Rally Argentina.
[Read more…] about Rally Argentina in English and Italian