One such race will be graced by the 147 GTA Cup on show in Bologna: a thoroughbred sports car propelled by a 2000 cc 4 cylinder engine that develops more than 220 bhp and is fitted with a 6-speed sequential gearbox. And so the powerful compact car returns to the track, where last year more than seventy customers drove it in thirty international sports events.

But the place of honour went to the 156 GTA in which Alfa Romeo and the GTA Nordauto Racing Team swept to victory in the third consecutive FIA ETCC 2002 title ( European Touring Championship ). On the Donnington circuit in the UK, penultimate race, Alfa 156 GTA cars obtained enough points to take the Manufacturers' title while Fabrizio Giovanardi became champion of the special Drivers' rankings.

All in all, the 2002 season was an exciting period for the Alfa Romeo colours: in ten events ( consisting of two races each ), Alfa 156 GTAs gained pole position on 7 occasions ( 5 for Giovanardi and 2 for Larini ) and won 12 victories ( 8 to Giovanardi and 4 to Larini ). They recorded the fastest laps in 12 races ( 7 Giovanardi, 4 Larini and 1 Colciago ) and GTA Nordauto Racing Team drivers stepped onto the podium on 24 occasions.

The 2002 European Touring Championship saw Alfa Romeo dominate from the first race. At the first five events ( Magny-Cours, Silverstone, Brno, Jarama and Anderstorp ) all the victories went to the GTA Nordauto Racing Team. New technical and sporting regulations introduced mid-way through the season penalised the Alfa 156 GTAs in the first race they entered. The new regulations were ratified by the FIA at Oschersleben. But the technicians and Engineers at N. Technology - the organisation responsible for Alfa Romeo's sports schedules - went to work with a will and the 156 GTAs were again unbeatable at Spa, Pergusa and Donington. A success for the team and a success for the model. For five consecutive years, the Alfa 156s showed that they were the cars to beat in races for standard production-derived cars. They won the Italian title for two consecutive years and the continental title for three. And the challenge goes on with Nicola Larini, Gabriele Tarquini and Roberto Colciago, the drivers who will defend Alfa's colours in the FIA ETCC 2003.