15.09.2004 A stunning star of some of the biggest motor shows worldwide over last year, Alfa Romeo's 8c Competizione concept, came bursting out into the daylight at Imola
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A breathtaking star of some of the biggest motor shows worldwide over last year, Alfa Romeo's 8c Competizione concept, came out into the daylight at the Imola race track.
The Super Racing Weekends programme pitched up at Imola and it turned into a real showpiece event that proved beyond doubt that the Italian sportscar marque's are embarking on highly productive an upward spiral, and that on the track, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with Italian engineering ability.
As the big, brash sportscars that contest the FIA GT series, took to the track, the awesome Maserati MC12 finally made its long-awaited racing debut. Both the breathtaking dark-blue liveried cars, driven on the occasion by racing stars, including England's Johnny Herbert and Finland's Mika Salo, finished the event on the podium.
In the FIA European Touring Car Championship the AutoDelta Alfa Romeo squad bounced back after a lean spell, casually swatting aside the BMW challenge to take the chequered flag 1-2-3 in both races. Reigning FIA ETCC Champion Gabriele Tarquini won both races to place his bid to retain the crown firmly back on track.
The European Alfa Challenge, contested by drivers from eight countries at the wheel of identical-specification Alfa 147 GTA look-alike racers, came to an exciting conclusion, rookie Irishman Eoin Murray won both encounters, while 20-year-old Simone Iacone scooped up the title.
Finally the Vodafone Trofeo Maserati provided thrilling racing on the circuit, while nestling back in the paddock was the gorgeously aggressive looking 2005-specification Trofeo, with its bigger wings, fatter arches and deeper spoilers.
This was the track scene, a real cause to celebration the racing prowess of the Italian marques, the ability of their dedicated engineers, and skill of their drivers.
Back in the paddock, road cars which used racing derived technology to hone their abilities, popped up everywhere, and none were more eye-catching than the beautiful Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione concept.
This car first appeared in public under the glare of the bright lights of the Frankfurt IAA almost exactly a year ago, drawing rave reviews from those who saw it as the covers came off.
The 8c Competizione shamelessly draws on the marque's grand tradition. Its sweeping Centro Style-brushed curves, which manage to be both beautiful and fearsome at the same time, along with its name, evoke memories of legendary Alfa Romeo sportscars from long-gone eras.
Under the rakish bonnet is a powerful 4.2-litre V8 engine, although the model on display show was without the addition of a Kompressor. Other changes included new alloy wheels and conventional, hinged exterior door handles which replace the automatic door entry system seen so far. Finally swages of masking tape on sections of the dashboard reveal that the cockpit is not yet at a finalised finish.
Thus at Imola, long time home of the San Marino Grand Prix, this masterpiece came growling out into the daylight.
As it basked in the sunshine of an unseasonably hot Italian autumn afternoon, drawing swages of admirers, it comfortably held its head up. This is unquestionably how Alfa Romeos should be.
by Edd Ellison
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