The Alfa 147GTA Cup VIP race saw motorcyclist Loris Capirossi and Brazilian Ferrari F1 test driver Luciano Burti joined by the Nordauto Alfa Romeo team mates Nicola Larini and Roberto Colciago who were pitted against each other. In the Caprirossi-Burti dual, the Brazilian Ferrari test driver prevailed, overtaking the strong resistance of the motorcyclist during the third lap, while between Larini and Colciago the former won, dominating from the moment of the green light on.

This year the Pearle Alfa Challenge has been based around a purpose developed 2.0-litre 4-cyl 200 bhp Alfa 147 featuring 6-speed sequential gearbox, limited slip differential, double wishbone suspension, 17-in wheels and major use of composite materials. All the cars were built by Alfa Romeo's competition department N-Technology.

Pearle will once again sponsor the series with the calender based again around the Dutch circuits of Zandvoort and Assen, although foray's out of Holland are currently under consideration.

Only Van Es and Kalff were in the running, third place in the series was claimed by Sebastian Bleekemolen, a late season charge elevating him up the order, but still finishing 22 points adrift of team mate Kalff.

In a closely fought closing race for equal standard 2.0-litre Alfa 147's built by N-Technology in Italy, Rory Bertram took victory just over a second ahead of Allard Kalff.

Husiman had claimed pole position after fending off strong pressure from ETC runner up Jorg Muller. Behind the all-BMW front row lined up the Italian Touring Car Championship spec SuperProduction Alfa Romeo147's of Gabriele Tarquini and Nicola Larini, with Tarquini handed third place after his team mate had a two second penalty slapped on his fastest time. Tarquini, who had recently entered the final round of the Italian series at Vallelunga to gain track time with the Super Production 147, expressed himself suprised that he was as high as third. "I had a series of problems including a broken driveshaft on Thursday, but today was a good day for me, I had no problems and I am very happy with the car and the job the team have done. The races are very long and anything can happen, especially on a track like this, but I think it will be quite difficult to beat the BMW's in the race." Nicola Larini lost third place on the grid when the stewards deemed him responsible for hitting the Honda Intergra of Chi Hong Ao in free practice and added a two second penalty to his quickest time.

Ducan Huisman led every lap of the two 12-lap races, with Nicola Larini's second place in race two the best finish for the Alfa Romeo runners. He brushed the barriers in race one after sliding on an oil patch, but race two saw him squeeze out BAR test driver Anthony Davidson to move into third, and claiming second when local hero Andre Couto crashed out at Mandarin as Larini came up alongside him. Couo's accident saw the safety car come out, but Larini was unable to capitalise and closely followed Huisman over the line.

Fabrizio Giovanardi, this years champion has left Alfa Romeo, heading to BMW for 2003. Giovanardi has had an illustrious eight year spell at Alfa Romeo, winning six titles: one Spanish Super Touring Car Championship, two Italian Super Touring Car Championships and three European Touring Car Championships, notching up 33 victories along the way.

Roberto Colciago has just won back-to-back Swedish Touring Car titles while Gabriele Tarquini won the 1994 British Touring Car Championship back in 1993 before moving on to race the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI in the ITC in 1995. Both took part at the ETC's penultimate round at Donington Park last month, while Colciago also appeared in the previous round at Enna.

With Giovanardi now "90% certain" to join BMW for their European Touring Car Championship campaign next year, it is looking increasingly likely that Tarquini will be signed to replace him. Tarquini, is believed to have impressed Alfa bosses when he was drafted in to strengthen the squad at the penultimate round at Donnington Park earlier this month.

Earlier Fabrizio Giovanardi had fended off race long attention from Jorg Muller and Volvo's Rickard Rydell to win the opening race and had led race two until being sidelined by gearbox failure in race two, allowing Muller a clear run to the flag.