The car used ever since the start of the Trofeo Abarth series has been the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, which was joined in 2012 by the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse, and further upgraded in 2014 to increase its power to 215 hp.

Drivers can compete in the Trofeo Abarth 2018 either with the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione or the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, the two machines running in separate classes.

There will be a new special focus on young drivers from 16 to 18 years of age, who are able to take part in the championship this time, thanks to an agreement with Acisport which is helping these budding sportsmen and women to win their racing licences by running special test sessions for them. There will also be a specific class for women drivers.

The Trofeo Abarth season consists of seven races, with two of taking place abroad. This championship has taken on increasingly international connotations, attracting a large number of foreign drivers. For example, the 2017 season winner was Italian driver Cosimo Barberini, ahead of Juuso Pajuranta from Finland, Joakim Darbom from Sweden and Kuzey Eroldu from Turkey.

The prizes for the championship winners certainly help attract entrants: 45,000 euros for the winner, 15,000 euros for second place and 7,500 euros for third place. The winner of the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse class will receive 10,000 euros, with 5,000 euros for second and 2500 for third.

Individual race prizes are also awarded to the first five to finish in each race (fourteen races held at seven rounds) and specifically, the overall winner will receive 2000 euros, with 800 euros for the winner of the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse class, 500 euros for the first ‘Gentleman’ driver and 500 euros for the first ‘Lady’ racer.

The Trofeo Abarth 2018 season will consist of seven meetings of two races each. The first race will take place on 29 April on the Imola circuit, followed by the meetings at Paul Ricard (France) on 13 May, the Red Bull Ring (Austria) on 10 June, Misano (24 June), Mugello (15 July), Vallelunga (16 September) and finally the season closer at Monza (7 October).

Each of these events will be attended by a brand spokesman from the world of show-business who will take part in both races at the wheel of an Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione while there will also be a new novelty to the format of each event with the introduction of a ‘superpole’ qualifying session for the fastest eight drivers during the qualifying session.

The championship enrolment fees (7,500 euros for the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione and 5,500 euros for Abarth 500 Assetto Corse) include paddock setup, spare parts service at the race track with presence of technicians for advice and a hospitality area with catering dedicated to crews and teams. Under 18s and lady drivers will participate in the championship free of charge.

Abarth’s racing involvement this year won’t stop with the Trofeo Abarth as it will also be supporting Formula 4 in Italy, Germany, Northern Europe and the Middle East.

Abarth says it is highly satisfied with its involvement in Italy and Germany over recent seasons and has therefore decided to support the fourth edition of the F4 Championship in Germany and to reconfirm its involvement in the Italian F4 Championship as sponsor and official engine supplier.

The 1.4 Turbo T-jet engine with 160 hp, derived from the one fitted on the street-legal Abarth 595, will once again be fitted to all the cars built in 2018 by the Italian manufacturer Tatuus.

Last season, more than forty very young drivers competed in the German Championship and over thirty in the Italian one. Finally, an F4 championship will also be held in the Northern European states this year and another in the Middle East, both using the same Abarth-powered Tatuus racecar.

Trofeo Abarth 2018

29 April - Imola
13 May - Paul Ricard (France)
10 June - Red Bull Ring (Austria)
24 June - Misano Adriatico
15 July - Mugello
16 September - Vallelunga
7 October - Monza