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roberto motta

Interview With Marco Cajani of Scuderia del Portello in Italian and English

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Marco Cajani with the Alfa T33 and a variety of Alfas used by Scuderia Portello.

Story and Photos By Roberto Motta unless otherwise noted.

NEW! Scroll down for the Italian language version.

Most vintage car enthusiasts are aware of the famous Scuderia del Portello, named after the town near Milan where Alfa Romeo was born. Its distinctive shield has been seen all over the world on a great variety of Alfa Romeos. To learn more about the Scuderia del Portello and its president Marco Cajani, we had a meeting with him in the team headquarters in the town of Seregno. We found that Cajani is an inexhaustible source of ideas, a passionate collector and a good driver. During his life with cars, thanks to his organizational skills and an innate charisma, he was able to bring the world famous Scuderia del Portello to new levels of excellence. A graduate in architecture, Cajani is responsible for recovery and building restoration. But the Alfa Romeo is his great passion, a passion that binds him hand in glove with the Scuderia del Portello.

But who is Marco Cajani and what is his background? We’ll let him tell his story without interruption:
[Read more…] about Interview With Marco Cajani of Scuderia del Portello in Italian and English

Inside Scuderia del Portello with Roberto Motta

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A group of Alfa 1300 Berlinas waiting for their day in the sun.

Roberto Motta gets an exclusive look at the jewels in the Scuderia del Portello. All photos by Roberto Motta unless othewise noted.

Scuderia Portello has been at the forefront of Italian Vintage Racing since its creation in 1989. At first a small but enthusiastic group of Alfa owners began competing in European vintage car events, but as the sport grew the Scuderia was also entrusted by the company of Alfa Romeo to manage the appearances and transportation of the Arese Museums’ jewels. ( See Interview with Marco Cajani, President, Scuderia del Portello )
Below is the lair of the famous Scuderia, opened to our correspondent Roberto Motta. It is not open to the public and naturally discretion is always optimum.
[Read more…] about Inside Scuderia del Portello with Roberto Motta

Remembering Michele Alboreto: In English and Italian

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Michele Alboreto, 1956-2001. Credit Audi Motorsport.

This article appears in Italian below the English text.

For more images of Michele Alboreto’s life, see “Michele Alboreto, A Life in Photos”.

Ten years ago last month on April 25th, Michele Alboreto died in Germany during a private test with the Audi R8 with which he was to have participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The causes have not been completely clarified, and it seems that the accident was caused by progressive failure of the rear tire.

By Roberto Motta

Michele Alboreto was one of the best Italian drivers and the last Italian driver anointed by Enzo Ferrari, who saw in him the heir to the throne of Alberto Ascari.

Alboreto had a great talent and an uncommon determination but unfortunately he was never a truly successful driver, mainly due to a lack of luck.

His career began in 1976 in Formula Monza events at Monza. His first car was an old Vargiu, built in 1967. Michele had purchased this in partnership with his friend Alberto Hertel. (Formula Monza was an entry class for young driver. The cars were powered by a 500cc engine of the same type as used on the Fiat 500 Giardinetta.)

In the beginning at Monza, circa 1976. Can you help identify the car?

[Read more…] about Remembering Michele Alboreto: In English and Italian

Michele Alboreto: A Life in Photos

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1976, Michele Alboreto in the 500 cc Vargiu. Credit Achivio Automobile Club Milano

The racing years of Michele Alboreto in photos.

For text, in both English and Italian, read “Remembering Michele Alboreto”.

1976, testing at Monza with an unidentified race car. Can reader

1976, at Monza on the track.

Late 1970s. At the wheel of a Fiat Abarth Formula Italia, powered by a 1600cc Fiat 124 engine.

1979, driving the Lancia at the Giro d'Italia. Credit: Roberto Motta.

1979. Driving a March F3.

1981, quickly graduating to F2, here in a Minardi.

1982: Alboreto competes in the Sports Car Championship with the Lancia LC-2. Credit: Archivio Lancia.

1983, trying hard in the Tyrrell.

1983, Michele marries Nadia. Note Ferrari cups.

1983, suddenly Alboreto arrives at the pinnacle and blessed by Enzo Ferrari. Credit: Archivio-Pippo-Bianchi.jpg

1988, his final year with Ferrari. Credit: Roberto Motta

1991, with the Porsche powered Footwork entry at the Phoenix Grand Prix. Credit: Porsche Werkphoto.

1996, Michele trys out the Indy Racing League. Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1997, victory at Le Mans with Porsche was a dream come true.

2000, Alboreto poses with the championship Audi team. Credit: Audi Motorsport Media.

2001. Still determined and competitve, Alboreto won the Sebring 12 hours only a month before his death.

Audi and Peugeot at Le Mans by Roberto Motta

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Peugeot 308 coupe.

By Roberto Motta

Photos by Peugeot-motorsport-media and Audi-motorsport-media

Looking like something from the dark side of “Star Wars” the Audi R18 TDI has achieved success during its first public appearance and made the fastest lap on the track during the Le Mans Test Day on April 24.

That best lap posted by the eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, registering the lap in 3 minutes, 27.867 seconds, 0.128 seconds faster than teammate Mike Rockenfeller, who co-drove the 2010 winner.
[Read more…] about Audi and Peugeot at Le Mans by Roberto Motta

A Lady Sells her Jewels: Lancia and Corvair

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Courtesy Bertone Group.

By Roberto Motta and Pete Vack

As a consequence of the financial reorganization of Bertone, the liquidators of the Bertone Museum have chosen to offer six automobiles to collectors. These wonderful cars will be auctioned at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011.
[Read more…] about A Lady Sells her Jewels: Lancia and Corvair

Ferrari 458GT2 Takes First Four Places at Castellet

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Great start for Ferrari in the 2011 Le Mans Series.

By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media and DPPI: Lead photo above by Phototheque

Le Castellet 2- 3 April- The weekend went very well for AF Corse and for the Prancing Horse in the opening round of the thirteenth Le Mans Series at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit at Le Castellet, fulfilling the earlier promise of the new Ferrari 458GT2.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458GT2 Takes First Four Places at Castellet

Monza Weekend: Formula Junior and Vintage

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M. Antoniazzi, De Tomaso Vallelunga worked his way throught field to take fourth overall.

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

The first round of the historical racing championship on the Monza track

On March 26th and 27th, the Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale hosted the first round of the 2011 Italian Historic Championship and the event was well attended.
[Read more…] about Monza Weekend: Formula Junior and Vintage

Ferrari 458GT2’s Maiden Race

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Not the greatest maiden race, but promising. Melo behind the helmet.

By Roberto Motta

Photos: Ferrari-Media

March 19-20, Sebring, Florida
The Sebring 12 Hours started the season of the American Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Making their international debut was the Houston’s Risi Competizione 458 Italia GT2 and the Tequila Patron 458 Italia GT2. The Risi 458 was closely observed by Ferrari managing director, Amedeo Felisa, in Florida to witness this special moment.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458GT2’s Maiden Race

The Year, 1961: the Car, the R4

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1961 R4 open for business.


1961:The R4 Takes its First Steps

Words by Roberto Motta
Photos by Renault Communications

The 4L was Renault’s first “voiture à vivre” or “livable car”. It was based on a brilliant idea: create a car that would break down the barriers assigning one function to each vehicle. [Read more…] about The Year, 1961: the Car, the R4

Final Days of Testing in Spain

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Massa pulls out for some tire testing.

THE AUSTRALIAN COUNTDOWN BEGINS

By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media

Following the cancellation of the Sakhir test and the Bahrain race, the pre-season continued with the last testing days at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya from Tuesday to Saturday. For the drivers, these testing days are the last chance to wrap up their development programs, evaluate new upgrades and improve their cars before the Australian Grand Prix, March 25-27.
[Read more…] about Final Days of Testing in Spain

Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept: The Snake is Back

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New Alfa 4C GTA is designed to recall the T33 Stradale of 1967. Will it come to the U.S.? Perhaps.

By Roberto Motta
Photos by Alfa Romeo

Will the new 4C herald the end of Alfa’s Big Sleep?

A new Alfa Romeo compact “supercar” which represents the true essence of the brand’s values, made its debut at the the 81st Geneva International Motor Show.

The new Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept is designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, and has very rough lines where the body is put together. But all this purposely creates the engaging personality that is linked to that of the legendary 1967 Type 33 Stradale. The T33 Stradale was derived from the T33 competition car, which defended the colors of the Milanese automaker in the World Championship series.
[Read more…] about Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept: The Snake is Back

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