06.07.2002 FIAT'S NEW SPORTING DEPARTMENT, N-TECHNOLOGY, ONE YEAR OLD
|
| introduction
N-Technology, formed last year through combining the existing Fiat competitions structure with Team Nordauto, to manage all Fiat Auto's sporting activities, celebrated its first birthday on 1st July. It has been a successful first year, wrapping up the European Touring Car titles in both the driver's and team's categories last year, they are leading this years series, while the Fiat Punto Abarth Rally and Stilo Abarth Rally, launched at the end of last year, have had successes in numerous national rally championships already this year. FIA European Touring Car Championship After taking over the reigns of Alfa Romeo's European Touring Car activities mid season last year, the Team Nordauto-run Alfa 156's went on to win the 2001 teams title while Fabrizio Giovanardi took the spoils in the drivers category. Developing an all-new car to this years SuperTouring 2000 regulations, the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA, works drivers Fabrizio Giovanardi and Nicola Larini currently lead the championship by a comfortable margin. After ten races, Fabrizio Giovanardi has 81 points, Nicola Larini is second with 64 points, while the first BMW drivers tie for third place with 33 points. In the manufacturer's category Alfa Romeo have 145 points, while BMW in second position have scored 72 points. Alfa Romeo have so far taken nine wins out of the first ten races, Fabrizio Giovanardi scoring seven victories with Nicola Larini taking the other two. The pair have also claimed all five pole positions in qualifying so far. Privateer teams running N-Technology upgrade packages or new cars have scored points consistently all season. national touring cars In the last year N-Technology has built some 70 Alfa 147s for the Italian Alfa 147 Cup and Dutch Pearle Alfa 147 Challenge, as well as some cars for Japan. The Pearle Challenge in Holland has been a strong success, the highly developed Alfa 147s and close fought races proving a hit with spectators, strongly picking up where last years series for Alfa 156s left off. rallying N-Technology has developed the Fiat Punto Abarth Rally and Fiat Stilo Abarth Rally, launched at the Bologna Motor Show late last year, uptake has seen 56 Punto Abarth Rally's built or sold as kits so far. Developed to FIA 1600 class regulations, Punto Abarths currently lead their class in Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey and have won several rallies in Portugal. In Italy, Fiat Punto Abarth Rally driver Paolo Andreucci, stands poised to give Fiat their first domestic rally title for 18 years in the Super 1600 class. The Fiat Stilo Abarth Rally has had successes so far in the FIA World Junior Rally Championship, with three Italian drivers in the title running still. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| related articles:
30.06.2002 NICOLA
LARINI WINS EUROPEAN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP RACE AT ANDERSTORP
|
| <<< return to news index |