On Thursday (March 30th) the FIA World Touring Car Championship will finally land in downtown Milan to promote its first race meeting at Monza this coming weekend, keeping an appointment that was originally planned for last year.

From 2.00pm to 6.00pm the racing cars, including one of the trio of N.Technology-run Alfa Romeo 156 that will take part in this year's series, will be exhibited in the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, alongside the Duomo, the famous gothic cathedral which is the city’s landmark. From 5.00pm to 6.00pm the star drivers will meet the fans during an autograph session.

Such a public event was organised for last year, but it was cancelled at the very last minute in sign of respect for the death of the Pope John Paul II. Among the drivers who are due to take part in the autograph sessions are Italian aces Gabriele Tarquini, Nicola Larini and Alfa Romeo's new signing, former F1 driver Gianni Morbidelli. They will be joined by Morbidelli's highly-rated Brazilian youngster Augusto Farfus, who set the fastest time in four of the six official FIA WTCC test sessions at Monza during the two day media event last week, and a number of other competitors.

The second edition of the FIA sanctioned World Touring Car Championship kicks off this weekend at Monza with two back-to-back races scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The Alfa Romeo brand will this year be represented by Fiat's competition's department N.Technology who will run a three-car team of Alfa 156s, with Augusto Farfus, the only survivor from last year's four-strong factory campaign, being joined by Salvatore Tavano and Gianni Morbidelli.

The Duomo - Milan's famous Cathedral

The Duomo, Milan's legendary Cathedral, lays claim to being one of the world's largest and most famous churches. Commissioned in 1386 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, it is constructed out of marble and boasts no less than 135 spires and 3,400 statues.
 

It was only completed in the early 19th Century when Napoleon Bonaparte, seeking a venue to be crowned King of Italy, hurried the completion of the façade forward. Originally it was Gothic in style, but during the intervening centuries of its long and tortuous construction it became influenced by the styles of the day, which saw the plans modified several times, and this accounts for its fascinating mixture of architectural styles. From the vast roof visitors are presented with unrivalled viewing of the sprawling city, panoramic views that stretch as far as the Alps are to be had. Rising high above the Duomo is a four metre high gilded statue of the Madonna. Added in 1774, it is know at the Madonnina, or 'Little Madonna'.

The racing cars will be located on a paved area facing the famous Vittorio Emanuele II arcade, home to many of Milan's most fashionable, luxurious and expensive boutiques.