A few months ago, Abarth announced its return to the racetrack, a moment that the Scorpion’s fans had long awaited: it is a full 43 years since Carlo Abarth drove his last record-breaker to victory. And now that there are only a few days to go until the first heat of the 500 Abarth Trophy, it’s clear that the new company has kept its promise to “democratize” racing, with a car born for speed, bred for endurance, and measurably more affordable than tailgating assorted Schumis and Kimis.

A concrete commitment, then, that confirms the Scorpion badge’s racing spirit and the philosophy that’s driven Abarth for half a century: transferring racing experience to the market and making the heady world of competition accessible to a larger public. And this is the approach that’s made it possible to launch two cars – the Abarth Grande Punto and the Abarth 500 – plus a pair of conversion kits in less than two years. It’s the same spirit that’s gone into creating an exclusive sales network, staffed by experts that can provide the most demanding customers with the accurate, comprehensive information they need. And it’s the same approach behind Abarth’s solid motorsports renown and partnerships with some of the greatest names around.

And if there were any doubt that this approach has put Abarth on the right track – in more ways than one – well, the numbers say it all: over 900 cars and more than 700 conversion kits sold in 2008, along with 15 new partnership agreements. This amazing success shows no signs of flagging in the early months of 2009, despite market conditions that are not exactly the most encouraging in recorded memory. This year, the brand’s focus on racing – ever the Scorpion’s most important asset – is even sharper, as witnessed by the new Abarth Racing prep shops, whose exclusive service is the gateway to competing under the Abarth name.

If the newborn Abarth Racing initiative is the latest strand added to the Abarth network, no less important is the unstoppable spread of dealerships and official preparation shops that improves coverage in areas where the brand is already well-known, and also continues its penetration into strategic markets like Great Britain, Spain and Japan. The Abarth distribution network is truly one of a kind: today, in Europe, it can boast 120 showrooms, 132 official preparation shops and 220 service centres.

Inspired as always by the world of racing, the original stand at the Geneva Motor Show showcases all the winners – standard production cars, conversion kits and competition vehicles – that have propelled the brand’s market success in Italy and elsewhere. The prime attractions in the display area are obviously the Abarth 500 “esseesse” and the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, “speeding” along a track surfaced with a special resin that calls to mind all the fascination of the racing circuit, favourite haunt of Abarths of all epochs. And the track breaks into the stand, making the wall around it literally explode into a million pieces. Right behind the two cars, an LED screen shows an autodrome, nearside scenery all a blur as the Abarths, tires screaming, streak by: the adrenalin-charged world of throbbing engines and galloping pulses. And so it should be, since the racetrack has always been the wellspring whence the brand draws the technologies and values that it transfers to its road-going cars and conversion kits.

The same philosophy led to the third car on show in Geneva: a special Abarth Grande Punto “SuperSport”. Special, because of its Airfield Gray paintwork – the same colour sported by the Scorpion’s historic race cars, and, as the story has it, taken from the planes based next to the brand’s original headquarters – enlivened by a racing-inspired livery. But special is not just a question of looks: the “esseesse” conversion kit boosts power to 180 HP at 5750 rpm, with a wrenching 270 Nm peak torque that kicks in at speeds as low as 3000 revs. In addition, an original variable backpressure dual-mode exhaust system enhances engine sound, producing a distinctive throaty roar over 4000 rpm. On the inside, the unit features Sabelt Abarth Racing leather-upholstered seats – lightweight and track-approved, as befits the car’s sporting spirit – and the Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigator with telemetry capabilities developed with Magneti Marelli. Alongside the race-ready Abarth Grande Punto, images stream past that celebrate its performance: performance that’s put the model at the forefront of the rally circuit, thanks to the Abarth Team which will be contesting the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and Italian Rally Championship titles this year with four official crews.

Abarth 500 Trophy

One-make trophies have always been part of Abarth’s genetic makeup, a tradition carried on over the years by model after model. And it’s a tradition that was as alive and vital as ever in 2007 – the year the new Abarth & C. SpA was born – with the one-make Championship for Fiat Punto Super 1600, Fiat Panda Kit and Fiat Panda 100HP, as well as with the API-IP ORO DIESEL Abarth Grande Punto Trophy, the championship open only to Fiat Grande Punto R3Ds which was also held in 2008.

This year, Abarth is back on the racetrack with the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse” in the Abarth 500 Trophy, which will be divided into three championship events: the Abarth 500 Europe Trophy, the Abarth 500 Trophy, and the Abarth 500 Italy Trophy. Starring in all three of these challenges will be the super-small but super-hot Scorpion, packing a 190 horsepower punch and everything else it needs to make it a force to be reckoned with anywhere: wider track, 17 inch ultralight alloy racing wheels, aerodynamic enhancements, roll cage type-approved for competition, sports seats and plenty of other goodies. At a limited cost, the Abarth 500 Trophy lets participating drivers experience all the thrill of Europe’s most gruelling circuits, together with the excitement of such high-audience events as the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, the WTCC World Touring Car Championship, and the ACI CSAI championships.

The Abarth 500 Trophy, which will be run alongside the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, will take place over six weekends, with two races each. It begins on March 29 in Monza, moving to Mugello on May 3, and then to Imola on May 17, Le Castellet (France) on July 5, Valencia (Spain) on September 27, and Vallelunga on October 11. The Abarth 500 Trophy Europe also consists of six two-race events, and will be run alongside the European WTCC trials. It starts on May 31 in Valencia (Spain), continuing on June 21 in Brno (Czech Republic), July 5 in Porto (Portugal), July 19 in Brands Hatch (United Kingdom), September 6 in Oschersleben (Germany) and September 20 in Imola (Italy).  The Abarth 500 Trophy Italy will kick off at Imola on April 19 at the opening of the ACI CSAI championships, with further rounds on May 3 in Mugello, together with the qualifying trial for the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, on June 7 in Magione (with the ACI CSAI championships), on August 2 in Varano de’ Melegari (again with the ACI CSAI races), on September 27 in Mugello (ACA CSAI) and on October 11 in Vallelunga, alongside the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy.

Abarth Racing network

In the same spirit that inspired Karl Abarth to “democratise” motorsports in the Sixties, the Scorpion brand is now giving everybody a chance to test their mettle on the track. For aspiring speed demons, the brand has set up the Abarth Racing network of preparation shops in Italy as the gateway to competing under the Abarth name. Exclusive, highly specialized, the Abarth Racing network brings together companies whose experience with motoring and motorsports has made them famous: Forza Service (Torino), Romeo Ferraris (Opera, Milano), Uboldi Corse (Lomazzo, Como) and Hf Grifone (Savignone, Genova). Unmatched for their skills in preparing and servicing race cars, the selected companies are the only ones authorized to register and manage the cars participating in the Abarth 500 Trophy, run alongside the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy.

And the sure standout on any track will be the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse” designed specifically for competition. The pint-sized supercar is produced directly by the manufacturer and sold "race ready" to drivers via the Abarth Racing network, which also provides service and transportation. An important point is that both the car’s specifications and the Abarth 500 Trophy weekend format are intended to make participating in the race more open and affordable: a concrete example of what the Abarth ethos means by “democratising”.

In addition, the Abarth Racing prep network – like the Abarth Assetto Corse centres set up in Italy and elsewhere some time ago – are the only shops authorized to install performance kits (starting from the “esseesse” Super Sports kit), in full compliance with all environmental and safety legislation, and completing certification procedures on the customer’s behalf. And that’s not all: the exclusive Abarth Racing network is also authorized to service standard production Abarth models.

Every showroom has its own Abarth Racing section, around 60 square meters divided between a lavish display area and a fully equipped car conversion shop. The whole area communicates a strong visual identity, projected into the future but rooted in Abarth’s glorious past. The gray resin flooring, for example, echoes the asphalt of the racetrack. Photos of the Scorpion’s most memorable wins adorn the walls, just as they did behind Carlo Abarth’s desk so many years ago. And everywhere, resplendent, the company colours – red and white, with gray detailing – and the indispensable Italian flag speak of the proud heritage of a brand that’s earned worldwide renown.