Belgium's leading Fiat Group Automobiles' dealer Buga Ital Auto used this year's SpaItalia, the annual Italian car extravaganza held on the legendary racetrack in the Ardennes, as the perfect setting to showcase its Italian cars in an environment that is truly synonymous with these cars. In particular the dealer's focus this year was on the newly revived Abarth brand, and gathering up its passionate clients for the weekend the owners took their own 500 Abarths and Grande Punto Abarths out for a 'drive' on the famed Spa-Francorchamps track .

Traditionnally a sun-flooded occasion despite the reputation of Spa for rain, the event had another sunny weekend this year for everyone to enjoy although the rest of Belgium had to cope with showers on Sunday. SpaItalia is one of Europe's leading annual Italian car events, and always a glamourous gathering, with all the much-loved brands well represented, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini as well as many rarer and long-forgotten ones. Cars to stand out on the track included examples of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Alfa Romeo Montreal, Lamborghini Miura and Maserati GranTurismo.

The Abarth contingent from Buga Ital Auto were joined by its key fleet clients who were offered a co-drive in cars drawn from the dealer's large and diverse Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia ranges, while they were fed, watered and briefed in the spaciousness of the exclusive pit garage.

Joining the production range was Giallo Corse's Alfa 156 2.5 V6 24v racer, now with a fresh new paint scheme, Sirwood’s Alfa Romeo 155 2.5 V6, Timmermans Delta Integrale Evo and Giallo Corse’s brand new 500 Abarth that had been fitted with Brembo-Motorquality brakes, Supersprint Freeflow Exhaust and slicks ahead of the event. This trio of raucous noised racing cars served as host cars for some spectacular VIP hot laps in the co-seat for the many guests.

The new 500 Abarth impressed on the Spa track, however a participant misjudged just how fast the small racer could manage and though being passed under braking hit the 500 on the drivers door! Fortunately the Abarth 500 racer was able to continue pounding out it’s incentive laps. This was however a small issue on what turned out ot be a perfect weekend both for organisers and participants. 

Amongst the many cars brought to SpaItalia this year, the most photographed was undoubtly the black Alfa 8C Competizione that spearheaded the Buga Ital Auto contingent. The Abarth customers certainly enjoyed driving around the famed track in their Scorpion cars, the majority of which were equipped with the event more powerful esseesse upgrades. Buga Ital Auto was delighted to show the Abarth brand to the whole country outside of their unique showroom and Abarth-workshops in Berchem-Antwerp and no doubt the dealership and its passionate staff along with their Abarth customers will return to the event in 2010 to be joined no doubt by a large cluster of Alfisti customers who will be busily celebrating the occasion of Alfa Romeo's centenary.