FIAT, let Alfa Romeo race! - Page 2

**MALDI** · #16 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 05:34 AM

The article cited above says the cars are for sale from N.Technology for 160,000 Euros each. Now if we all pool our money...

Gabor K. · #17 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 08:47 AM

Or, you could buy a much more interesting Alfa F1 for a lot less money. And its a real Alfa at that!

Len Selby's F1 historic racing cars for sale

nkh · #18 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinista

Alfa: Touring cars, except they haven't a suitable car for either WTCC or DTM

Seinista · #19 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 10:44 AM

cant get 'em to have enough power. They have to have an 8 cilinder, and the 1000 made for the 8C are not enough to homologate.
Wat for the follow up for the 166, on a Maser platform, with a V8.....Then, yes then, a 159 V8 DTM, pretty good idea...

nkh · #20 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinista

cant get 'em to have enough power. They have to have an 8 cilinder, and the 1000 made for the 8C are not enough to homologate.
Wat for the follow up for the 166, on a Maser platform, with a V8.....Then, yes then, a 159 V8 DTM, pretty good idea...

benjo1 · #21 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 04:13 AM

that would be awesome, make a production car so that it can be raced in DTM, i know they are more expensive but can we go back to the good old rear wheel drive alfa saloons too!

imagine how good the gta 156 and 146 would have been in rwd! and make sure they all have lsd's, unlike crappy beemers.

I love my 75 and newer alfa's but lets have some more class and go rwd again! that would justify the cost even more

dretceterini · #22 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALDI

The article cited above says the cars are for sale from N.Technology for 160,000 Euros each. Now if we all pool our money...

**MALDI** · #23 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 10:30 AM

So the Alfas were a factory team without factory backing. Nice job Fiat!

From autosport.com:

N.Technology to Run Accord in 2008

By Edd Straw Friday, January 25th 2008, 11:41 GMT

Leading World Touring Car Championship team N.Technology have confirmed they will run the Honda Accord Euro R this season.

The team, which for the past two seasons has run Alfa Romeo 156s without factory backing, will field at least one car for WTCC race winner James Thompson in partnership with long-time Honda outfit JAS.

"This is a really exciting project for all concerned, JAS, N.Technology staff and James," said N.Technology boss Mauro Sipsz. "I have always had a lot of respect for JAS and now look forward to working together on the WTCC programme."

JAS, which ran factory Hondas in the British Touring Car Championship, last competed in the WTCC running the Accord on an independent basis in 2006, taking one podium finish with Ryan Sharp. The car also showed well in the Macau finale in the hands of Fabrizio Giovanardi.

"Finally we have the chance to be in the WTCC with a winning car and a winning driver," said JAS boss Alessandro Mariani. "This programme represents a great opportunity for JAS and all its people to show how good our car is with a great driver such as James Thompson at the wheel and a team like N.Technology."

It has yet to be decided what level of Honda involvement there will be in the programme, but it is understood to be likely the team would not be classified as an independent entry.

Former JAS BTCC driver Thompson, who turned down the chance of a move to Chevrolet to remain with N.Technology even when the team were unsure of their 2008 programme, paid tribute to the Italian team.

"The 2007 season was something of a fairytale," said Thompson. "We scored wins, podiums and enough points to ensure we remained title contenders until the very last race.

"I have always said how good the N.Technology staff are. The whole outfit works very well together; it feels like a family. I was offered other drives for next year but what I wanted most was to stay, which I am with a three year contract."

ADoherty · #24 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALDI

The 156 is too old, the 147 is going to be replaced, the 159 is too heavy, the 8C will race in FIA GT...in the USA and play up its racing hertiage. Journalists will have a field day point out the Alfa currently has no racing program! True Alfistsi should be incensed!

**MALDI** · #25 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 07:52 AM

ADoherty, I was just going through the litany of excuses people give for Alfa having no factory racing program. Blah blah this, blah blah that.

Since 1910 Alfa has usually found a way to race, sometimes on a tight budget. Nevertheless they were there.

I'd like to see some commitment from Fiat management to keep Alfa racing. Taking a year or two off is not so bad when it is part of a plan but I haven't heard any statement that they will return to a factory racing effort at any level.

ADoherty · #26 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:37 AM

It would be nice to see them in some form of racing--whether they return to the States or not--as it would seem to be a large part of the brand/marque. Brands take a long time to develop, and a very short time to toss away/diminish.... To my un-educated mind, there wouldn't seem to be too much of a impediment to Alfa rejoining the Touring Car fight, other than will or perhaps even money. Ferrari/Fiat spend untold millions on F1, and essentially z-e-r-o on marketing for Ferrari. Hmmmm....