Promotional trophies are part of Abarth’s heritage. The first edition of the A112 Abarth Trophy, the first single-brand rally championship, was organised in 1977 for the Autobianchi A112 Abarth 70HP. This small, agile car was ideal for the difficult, demanding rally roads, and brought numerous Italian drivers success and fame.

The Abarth Trophy continued for eight successful years, until 1984, and Fiat then continued with the policy of supporting young rally drivers, by organising the Fiat Uno and Uno Turbo championship, and the Fiat Cinquecento, Seicento and Punto Trophies, right up to the recent Fiat Panda Rally Cup as well as the Fiat Abarth National and International Championships.

This year, tradition is respected, but with the great novelty of the Abarth Grande Punto ORO DIESEL Trophy, a championship for the Fiat Grande Punto R3D that is ahead of its time, designed for a car that already meets the international technical regulations that will come into force in 2008. The Fiat Grande Punto in question will abide by the technical rules for Group R and will be powered by a 1900 cc Multijet diesel engine. A special kit was prepared to develop it, now on sale at about Euro 30,000, which contains all the safety measures and mechanical components necessary for racing. The car for Trophy contestants can be purchased from the Fiat Italian sales network with a 25% discount.

The 2007 ORO DIESEL Trophy championship, which will start on 5th May with the Targa Florio Rally, will include six events on asphalt roads, five of which will be part of the Italian Rally Championship (CIR). The prize money (350,000 euros) is always interesting, and paves the way for the winner to pursue a career in rallying. After the crews have tackled the 91st Targa Florio the next two events will be the 41st Rally del Salento (17 June) and the 27th Rally San Martino di Castrozza e Primiero (8th July).
 

After a near two-month hiatus the series gets back underway with 43rd Rally del Friuli e delle Alpi Orientali (2nd September), before the 49th Rally Sanremo (30th September) and the Rally Du Valais (25-27th October) wrap up the series' inaugural year.

In 2007 a single-brand championship will also be organised for other Fiat racing models, the Fiat Punto Super 1600 and Fiat Panda Kit and 100HP in particular, which will dispute 5 events making up the Rally Asfalto Trophy, plus a final event to be decided. The most important novelty is the fact that the Fiat Panda Trophy changes formula, allowing drivers to enter with their own cars and their own teams. The prize money for this trophy is also very generous: over Euro 100,000.

Fiat Grande Punto R3D Technical Specifications

Engine 4 cylinders in line, turbocharged, diesel cycle, 1900 cc; Power output: 175 bhp at 4500 rpm approx.; Peak torque: 36 kgm at 1500 rpm. Transmission 6-speed gearbox with sequential control; Twin-plate metal-ceramic clutch, diameter 200 mm; Self-locking limited slip friction plate differential; Special drive shafts. Suspension MacPherson layout at front; Interconnected links at rear; 2-way adjustable dampers at front and rear; Larger anti-roll bars; Uniball spherical joints; Reinforced, stiffened elements. Brakes Front calliper with 4 pistons; Front brake disc φ 350 mm for asphalt and φ 300 mm for dirt roads; Rear calliper with 1 piston; Rear brake disc φ 250 mm; Wheels Asphalt rims: 7’’ x 17’’; Dirt rims: 6.0” x 15 “; Goodrich asphalt tyres: 19/63-17; Goodrich dirt tyres: 17/65-15.