Abarthisti Magazine » motorsport

The Abarth 2009 Year in Review

AlexK — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:10:10 +0000

You’d think a manufacturer with only two models to its name wouldn’t have much to crow about in a single year. You’d be wrong. We take a look back at the key developments of 2009, and cast our gaze towards 2010 – already shaping up to be a bumper year of scorpion activity.

Abarth 500 Launch

Of course 2009 was dominated by the launch of the Abarth 500. After a long and painful wait, prices were announced in late January and the official launch held over the weekend of 7th-8th February. While a number of ‘launch edition’ cars were made available (Bossa Nova White, red stripes, red leather, 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, etc), there was still an anxious time ahead for those preferring to spec their own cars.

Abarth Grande Punto “SuperSport”

Abarth Grande Punto 'SuperSport'

Late February saw the reveal of the Abarth Grande Punto “SuperSport”. Powered by the familiar 1.4-litre turbocharged engine but with the esseesse kit fitted from the factory, the SuperSport showcased the new Sabelt racing seats, variable back-pressure exhaust system, and Blue&Me Map satellite navigation with telemetry for the first time. After a mysteriously long gestation period, the car finally went on sale elsewhere in Europe in September – we’re still waiting for news on whether the car will ever make an appearance on our shores.

Abarth Corse by Sabelt Seats

Having made their debut on the SuperSport, the “Abarth Corse by Sabelt” seats were launched as an accessory in May for both Abarth 500 and Grande Punto, although it took a while for the somewhat alarming prices (£2,250 for leather, £1,760 for fabric) to finally show themselves.

Abarth Grande Punto Revisions

August saw a number of small revisions to the Abarth Grande Punto – the front centre armrest and tyre pressure monitoring system became available, while the previously standard Interscope hi-fi upgrade became an option. Emissions were reduced (from 162 to 159 g/km), while prices rose to £13,800, with many options also seeing increases.

Xenon Headlights for Abarth 500, Blue&Me Update

Record Monza Abarth 500 Exhaust

Xenon headlights appeared as a £500 option on the Abarth 500 at the same time, and a Blue&Me software update was released, together with a new adaptor, to improve iPod and iPhone compatibility.

Record Monza Abarth 500 Exhaust

The variable back-pressure exhaust system first shown on the SuperSport was finally released in September for the Abarth 500, now dubbed the “Record Monza” system and priced at £873.85. We’re still waiting for the elusive Punto version to arrive.

As a special Christmas bonus, we’ve negotiated a reduced price of £799.99 for Abarthisti members until the end of the year. Orders can be placed through the Abarthisti Shop.

Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”

Abarth 695 'Tributo Ferrari'

September also saw the arrival of the Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”. Based on a standard Abarth 500 but featuring many of the engine improvements used in the Assetto Corse race cars, the 695 pumps out over 180 bhp through a new MTA (automated manual) transmission. Externally, the car is finished in Scuderia Red with carbon fibre door mirrors, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and four-piston Brembo brakes. Inside, there are Sabelt racing seats, Jaeger instruments, non-slip aluminium foot wells, carbon fibre dash board, unique pedals and steering wheel, and a special identification plaque. While prices haven’t been announced, it is expected to be coming to the UK by special order during late 2010, with some dealers accepting deposits now.

Abarth 500 R3T Rally Car

Completing the announcements for a busy September was news of the Abarth 500 R3T rally car. Featuring a sequential six-speed gearbox, a self-locking differential, special half-shafts, and 180 bhp from its 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, the car will compete in the R3T group of a new promotional rally trophy launching in 2010.

Abarthisti Events

Abarth Hillclimb Challenge

It’s been a busy year for the Abarthisti, too. Our February event at the Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre was the one and only time the AGPs outnumbered the 500s. The Auto Italia events at Brooklands (May), Stanford Hall (June) and Gaydon (September) were all well attended and demonstrated our strong link with Abarth UK with combined display areas.

Our member-organised Driving Days made it out into Wales, Scotland, the Yorkshire Dales and anywhere else where there’s an abundance of curves and a sparsity of traffic.

The Abarth Hillclimb Challenge, which saw the Abarth Grande Punto compete in six events across the country from April to September, proved popular with many, and even managed to claim a class win at Goodwood with Autocar Magazine’s Matt Rigby at the wheel.

The Abarth 500 Trophy Europe nipped across the water to Brands Hatch in July, and we were ready with fistfuls of free tickets, reserved parking, paddock access and, for lucky forum member JKDesign80, a ride around the Brands Hatch circuit in an Assetto Corse driven by ex-BTCC driver and double 500 Trophy race-winner Adam Jones.

The launch of the British version of the series, the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, took place at Silverstone in October, and we were exclusively invited not just to witness the unveiling of the championship and enjoy a little Italian hospitality, but also the chance to hit the track in our own cars. Tyres were tortured, and brakes were punished, but everything stood up well.

And next year?

Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

Abarthisti supports the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

We’re most looking forward to following the Abarthisti-sponsored Assetto Corse’s progress in the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB throughout 2010, and we anticipate that our involvement will lead to unprecedented access to the Trofeo series for all Abarthisti members, including ticket give-aways, pit-lane access, the chance to meet drivers and engineers, and more.

Duxford 31/1/2010

Our Duxford event on 31st January kicks off the calendar for the year, and we have several irons in the fire for interesting events during the rest of 2010, including track days, motorsport events, and social get-togethers.

2010 Abarth 500C

It’ll be a busy year for Abarth, too, with the launch of the convertible Abarth 500C currently pencilled-in for June 2010. The rag-top version will closely match the specification of the standard Abarth 500, but with the addition of Xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, and Start&Stop as standard.

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but using the Fiat 500C as a guide suggests a starting price around £17,000.

2010 Abarth Grande Punto face-lift

The new and nervously-awaited Abarth Grande Punto will show its face in July 2010. Rumours suggest its design will move further away from the Fiat Punto Evo on which it’s based. Power will come from the new 1.4-litre 170 bhp MultiAir engine with Start&Stop technology and, while it won’t be available from launch, it will be the first car to offer the new C635 MTA automated six-speed manual transmission as an option. Assetto handling kits will be available from launch, but the esseesse kit will follow later.

There’s no official word on pricing yet. However, the 135 bhp Fiat Punto Evo Sporting will be priced at £15,295 when it arrives in January; clearly the 170 bhp Abarth version will be higher still.

The last piece of news is that the Abarth hillclimb challenge, using the Abarth Grande Punto, will likely make a repeat appearance for 2010, with an anticipated eight events across the country.

Phew!

All that remains now is to thank you for supporting us through 2009, to wish you and your family the very best for the festive period, and to hope the New Year brings you good health, good luck, a full tank of Super Unleaded and a fresh set of tyres.

The 2010 Event Calendar

AlexK — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:57:42 +0000

We’ve been busily piecing together the event calendar for 2010. Of course the big crowd-pleasers – the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival, and the Auto Italia events – are all present and correct. For 2010, however, we have the added excitement of seven rounds of the new Trofeo Abarth 500 GB to look forward to.

Here’s the full 2010 event calendar as it stands today:

31 January	Abarthisti takes over Duxford, IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire
	The Imperial War Museum at Duxford is home to more than 200 military and civil aircraft, as well as maritime and land warfare exhibits housed in seven cavernous exhibition halls and hangars. Our base for the day will be the American Air Museum, and we’ve been granted special access to park on the apron directly outside.
3/5 April	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Oulton Park
	The opening round of the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Oulton Park will be one of the most attended events of the season and by being on the calendar we will be part of the official start to the UK Motorsport season.
17/18 April	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Silverstone (GP circuit)
	The second round of the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Silverstone will be on the opening rounds of the FIA Formula Two Championship.
1 May	Auto Italia Italian Car Day, Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey
	Held in the historic surroundings of the famous Brooklands circuit, the Auto Italia-sponsored Italian Car Day is a great opportunity to see some of the finest examples of Italian metal. A selection of trade stands will be present, and the Brooklands Museum will also be open to visitors.
22/23 May	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Cadwell Park
	The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB takes to Cadwell Park to support the British Superbikes
6 June	Auto Italia Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, Leicestershire
	Italian car enthusiasts across the country look forward to the annual event at Stanford Hall. Cars from every era will be proudly displayed within the Hall’s picturesque setting, with many clubs in attendance.
26/27 June	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Snetterton
	The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB arrives at Snetterton, supporting the GT Cup Championship & Formula Palmer Audi
27 June	Bedfordshire Italian Car and Bike Day
	Held at The Sharnbrook Hotel on the A6 between Bedford and Rushden, the Bedfordshire Italian Car and Bike Day attracts a wide selection of Italian metal to the family-run hotel and restaurant. Entry is free for all show cars/bikes, which are to arrive by 10:30am. Public admission is £3 per adult, and gates open at 11am.
2, 3, 4 July	Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood, West Sussex
	The Festival of Speed is far more than just a hillclimb – it is a celebration of the history of motor sport and can justifiably claim to be the world’s biggest and most diverse classic motor sports event. Taking place outside Goodwood House, using the main road through the Park as the track, it’s the only occasion where you’ll see in action the greatest competition cars and star drivers from the entire history of motor sport.
24/25 July	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Silverstone (GP circuit)
	At Silverstone in July, the Trofeo GB will support the Silverstone Classic event.
1 August	Goodwood Breakfast Club
	The Goodwood Breakfast Club plays host to a series of meetings with the promise of an eclectic mix of vehicles and a great organic breakfast menu to get the appetite of any motoring enthusiast going. Theme: Performance Car Legends – Post-1970s drivers’ cars, including track day favourites.
4/5 Sept	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Brands Hatch (Indy circuit)
	In September, the Trofeo GB returns to Brands Hatch to make use of the Indy circuit, supporting the DTM and Trofeo Europe (tbc).
17, 18, 19 Sept	Goodwood Revival, Goodwood, West Sussex
	The Goodwood Revival is the world’s largest historic motor race meeting, which relives the glory days of historic Goodwood Motor Circuit. But the Revival is far more than a series of races for historic cars – it is a magical step back in time, a chance to get away from the modern world and revel in the romance of motor racing as it used to be.
3 October	Goodwood Breakfast Club
	The Goodwood Breakfast Club plays host to a series of meetings with the promise of an eclectic mix of vehicles and a great organic breakfast menu to get the appetite of any motoring enthusiast going. Theme: Souped-up Sunday – Tuned tearaways, including hot rods.
23/24 October	Trofeo Abarth 500 GB & Italia, Monza, Italy
	The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB links up with its Italian counterpart at famous Monza, Italy.

A regularly-updated events calendar can also be found on the Abarthisti website: Abarthisti Events.

Photo credit: Scuderia Sitar.

Abarthisti to support the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

AlexK — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:21:32 +0000

Abarthisti will be supporting the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB race series that’s due to start in the spring of 2010. The Abarthisti logo will be carried by at least one car in the series, the first of which is that belonging to the Vospers/Pulce Racing team which took delivery of their car at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Abarthisti to support the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

It’s hoped that our involvement will lead to unprecedented access to the Trofeo series for all Abarthisti members, including ticket give-aways, pit-lane access, the chance to meet drivers and engineers, and more.

The 2010 race calendar can be found below:

2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB Race Calendar

3&5 April	Oulton Park (supporting British F3/ British GT)
17/18 April	Silverstone GP (supporting FIA Formula Two)
22/23 May	Cadwell Park (supporting British Superbikes)
26/27 June	Snetterton (supporting GT Cup Championship & Formula Palmer Audi)
24/25 July	Silverstone GP (supporting Silverstone Classic)
4/5 Sept	Brands Hatch Indy (supporting DTM/Trofeo Europe)
23/24 Oct	Monza, Italy (Trofeo Europe / Italy / GB)

For now, here’s a couple of gratuitous shots of our logo, proudly adorning the sides of the one day-old Abarthisti-mobile.

This isn’t this car’s final livery – the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse race cars are delivered in white from the factory, and we added these temporary graphics for the RaceCar Live event at Brands Hatch.

RaceCar Live is billed as Europe’s only ‘live’ motorsport event, and provides a chance for racing drivers – both current and potential – to meet race teams, sponsors, series organisers and suppliers.

There was also the opportunity for drivers to test a range of race cars around the Brands Hatch circuit, and the Trofeo Abarth 500 was well represented, with four cars in total.

You can read about my experiences as a passenger during one of those tests elsewhere in the Abarthisti Magazine.

You can also find more information about the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB here: Trofeo Abarth 500 GB.

Basso and Dotta win the European Rally Championship for Abarth

AlexK — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:14:29 +0000

Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta won the 2009 European Rally Championship in their Abarth Grande Punto S2000. With their second place at the Rallye du Valais, they extended their lead over Peugeot’s Michal Solowow to 22 points. This is Basso and Dotta’s second championship title, having already been crowned in 2006, also at the wheel of an Abarth Grande Punto S2000.

Giandomenico Basso, 36, from Cavaso del Tomba, has so far spent his entire racing career with Abarth. He first demonstrated his talent by winning the 1998 Trofeo Cinquecento, and went on to take the 2007 Italian Rally Championship and the 2006 Intercontinental Rally Challenge driver’s title.

This season, he won five races: 1000 Miglia Rally, Bulgaria, Madeira in Portugal, ELPA in Greece and Antibes in France.

The Abarth Grande Punto S2000 has proven to be competitive on the various surfaces featured all season long: from the winding asphalt roads of the 1000 Miglia Rally, Madeira Rally and Rallye du Valais to the fast roads of Bulgaria and Antibes, not to mention the rough gravel of the ELPA Rally in Greece.

At the last event, held in Switzerland, Basso drove with the aim of scoring enough points to clinch the European title. He nevertheless finished in a remarkable second place.

European Rally Championship standings: 1. Giandomenico Basso (I, Abarth) 122 points; 2. Michal Solowow (PL, Peugeot) 100; 3. Corrado Fontana (I, Peugeot and Mitsubishi) 78; 4. Krum Donkev (BG, Subaru) 43; 5. Luca Betti (I, Peugeot) 34.

Rallye du Valais classification: 1. Hotz-Ravasi (Peugeot 207 S2000), 2hr 53min29.8s; 2. Basso-Dotta (Abarth Grande Punto S2000) + 53.7s; 3. Solowow-Baran (Peugeot 207 S2000) + 5min27.7s; 4. Gonon-Arlettaz (Subaru Impreza) + 6min34.5s; 5. Bouffier-Gilsoul (Citroën C2) + 11min20.8s.

The 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

AlexK — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:47:14 +0000

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB race series was officially launched last week at Silverstone, with selected guests, drivers and race teams invited to inspect, admire and test the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse race cars, while learning more about the proposed 2010 series. Among the guests were comedian Patrick Kielty and supermodel Jodie Kidd.

Since the Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe came to Brands Hatch earlier this year, the rumoured British version of the series has been the talk of the paddock. Following feedback from drivers, teams and sponsors, the series is now in its final stages of preparation. It launches with the stated aim of creating a package of racing that benefits all stakeholders – from competitors and sponsors, to owners and fans.

The series is expected to support key race weekends throughout the season, including the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the British Touring Car Championship and the British Superbike Championship.

The series will compete at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Silverstone, Snetterton, Oulton Park and – in a link-up with the European trophy – Monza, Italy.

Comedian Patrick Kielty and supermodel Jodie Kidd attended the launch event

The Abarth dealer network has been encouraged to support the series, and eight dealers – Platts Garages (Stoke on Trent), Thames (Slough), S. G. Petch (York), Lipscomb (Maidstone), Fiat Marylebone (London), Rockingham Cars (Rockingham), Glyn Hopkin (Romford), and Vospers (Plymouth) – have confirmed their involvement for the 2010 series.

Six race teams have so far committed to the series: Advent Motorsport with drivers Vicki Butler-Henderson, Josh Wakefield, and James Blyth; Coastal Racing with drivers Carl Bradley; Rees Sport; Tech 9; Pyro Motorsport. Pulce Racing, backed by the engineering expertise of a Le Mans series race team, will be running the Vospers car, and their Assetto Corse will be sporting the Abarthisti logo.

The series features identical Abarth 500 Assetto Corse race cars, based on the road-going Abarth 500. Powered by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, but with extensive internal modifications and a larger Garrett turbocharger, the race cars develop 190 bhp at 6,500 rpm. With a reinforced roll cage welded to the bodyshell, as well as further modifications to the chassis and brakes, the Assetto Corse cars are built in Turin before being shipped to the UK in batches of four. The first batch has already been delivered to their owners, following shakedown tests at Fiat Group’s proving ground at Balocco.

The inaugural race will take place over the weekend of 3/5 April 2010 at Oulton Park, and Abarthisti will be following the series throughout the year.

2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB Calendar

3&5 April	Oulton Park (supporting British F3/ British GT)
17/18 April	Silverstone GP (supporting FIA Formula Two)
22/23 May	Cadwell Park (supporting British Superbikes)
26/27 June	Snetterton (supporting GT Cup Championship & Formula Palmer Audi)
24/25 July	Silverstone GP (supporting Silverstone Classic)
4/5 September	Brands Hatch Indy (supporting DTM/Trofeo Europe)
23/24 October	Monza, Italy (Trofeo Europe / Italy / GB)

More information about the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB can be found on the official website: www.trofeoabarth500gb.com.

Emanuele Moncini wins the Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe

AlexK — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:05:55 +0000

Emanuele Moncini claimed the Abarth 500 Selenia European Trophy by winning the last two races at Imola, beating fellow Italian Manuel Villa by a whisker. Villa was leading the championship prior to the last round. However, Moncini’s back-to-back victories in the last two races allowed him to pull out the slimmest of leads – only three points – to claim the championship title.

Frenchman Benoît Perret finished third, leading to the unusual situation of the finishing order reflecting the closing order of the championship, as Perret also took third place in the trophy standings.

At Imola, Moncini won Race 1 ahead of Manuel Villa and Alex Campani, the latter posting the fastest lap time which earned him pole position for Race 2.

An aggressive pace imposed by the front runners characterised this last race, as well as the head-to-head battle between Moncini and Villa. At the start, Villa immediately tailed Alex Campani, who started from pole position. Moncini stayed behind but then made attempts to climb up the leaderboard in the first lap. In the second lap, Campani went off the track, handing first place to Villa. The two championship leaders then initiated their long battle for the title.

Meanwhile, further back down the field, Jorge Rodrigues was duelling with Simone Monforte for fifth place. Perret, then lying fourth, was a spectator of the battle for the lead, without being able to worry Matteo Milani. Milani’s retirement handed third place over to the Frenchman, allowing him to conclude the season on the podium.

Emanuele Moncini wins the Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe

Of particular note is the fine performance of championship participants Erika and Simone Monforte, the youngest drivers to take part in all the rounds of this continental series.

Open until the end, the 12-leg championship was spread over six rounds. Starting at Valencia (Spain), the series moved to Brno (Czech Republic), Porto (Portugal), Brands Hatch (England), and Oschersleben (Germany), before drawing to a close at Imola in Italy. The return of Abarth to European competition has been a success, with many young drivers from different countries attracted to the series.

The show is due to be repeated next year. Like this year, the Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe will feature the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, a high-performance version of the Abarth 500 road car that has proved to be highly competitive on the demanding circuits it has raced on, thanks in no small part to the 190bhp delivered by its 1400cc turbocharged engine.

Race 1 classification: 1. Emanuele Moncini (I) 9 laps in 19min48.807s – average speed 133,09 kph; 2. Manuel Villa ITA + 3.695s; 3. Alex Campani ITA + 4.163s; 4.Jorge Rodrigues POR + 8.551s; 5. Benoit Perret FRA +10.267s; 6. Simone Monforte ITA +23.960s; 7. Matteo Milani ITA + 32”.047s; 8. Massimiliano Baraldi ITA at 1 lap. Fasted lap by Alex Campani in 2min10.857s – average speed 135.05 kph.

Race 2 classification: 1. Emanuele Moncini (I), 9 laps in 19min56.229s – average speed 132.27 kph; 2. Manuel Villa (I) + 1.664s; 3. Benoît Perret (F) + 8.444s; 4. Jorge Rodrigues (P) + 15.398s; 5. Simone Monforte (I) + 20.581s; 6. Paolo Debe (I) + 32.179s; 7. Gabriele Larini (I) + 51.122s; 8. Erika Monforte (I) + 1min03.288s; 9. Luca Cassol (I) + 2min16.312s. Fastest lap by Emanuele Moncini, 2min11.129s – average speed 134.77 kph.

Abarth 500 Selenia – European Trophy final standings: 1. Emanuele Moncini (I) 156 points; 2. Manuel Villa (I) 153; 3. Benoît Perret (F) 143; 4. Jorge Rodrigues (P) 131; 5. Simone Monforte (I) 102; 6. Erika Monforte (I) 47; 8. Alex Campani (I) 44; 9. Lucas Guerrero (E) and Freddy Nordström (S) 43.