Alfa GTV Cup

Alfa Romeo offered the opportunity for a limited number of enthusiasts to participate in a race on the track with the GTV 3.0. After a sports-car driving course by Andrea de Adamich participants were ready to manage 230 horsepower.^[1]

Overview

With the GTV Cup, Alfa Romeo has created a series of events which were missing from the sports-car scene, the missing link between enthusiasts and an adventure towards professionalism. With little more than five million lire and two weekends on the race-track, it was possible to go from being a simple spectator to being a performer in the world of racing. The transformation took place in two distinct moments: first a couple of lessons in the Safe Driving Centre run by Andrea De Adamich at the Varano de’Melegari race-track (Parma) in order to learn the tricks of the trade and then on the track aboard a brand-new Alfa Romeo GTV 230 horsepower for the mono-make race as part of the Italian Supertourismo Championship.

The new version Cup of the GTV 3.0 24 valves was tested on the track at Varano. The car was prepared following the rules set up by Gruppo N (production vehicles with slight improvements), even though they are exclusively approved for mono-make races. Externally the GTV 3.0 Cup is recognisable for the presence of the aerodynamic kit, also available for the commercial series: back and front spoilers and lateral air extractors in the front wings. The whole suspension is lowered by a few centimetres and fitted with ‘slick’ or ‘rain’ Michelin racing tyres. In spite of the safety measures, the weight has been reduced by another 200 kilos. The mechanics remain the same as the commercial series, but with different regulations in the electronic chip and suspension, to gain a little more horsepower and better transfer them onto the road.

The circuit at Varano, with a few slow corners and two fast ‘S’ bends, was the ideal track to find one's feet with a car of character: a 230 horsepower is considerably powerful because of its front traction. The torque of six cylinders and the weight distribution on the front wheels need to be driven in a particular way, almost like rear traction. Sacrificing a little speed is recommended when approaching a bend in order to create a clean curve when accelerating which will occupy the width of the track when coming out of the bend. To insist with the steering and go into a bend too tight is not productive. With the accelerator it is easy to under-steer which will damage the tyres and will, inevitably, take the car off track at a tangent. The suspension had to be rigid in order to improve traction and girders decidedly become trampolines, where every bump can easily take one off course. The suspension still requires perfecting (the GTV in trials was a prototype) but what counts in a mono-makers' challenge is that all the vehicles are the same, to bring to light the ability of their best drivers. There are six gears, as in the commercial vehicle, and have a long ratio, which is not really apt for the Varano track where fifth gear is rarely used, but appropriate for circuits like Monza and Mugello where 260 km/h (162 mph) maximum speed is easily accessible for the GTV. The powerful brakes, however, need a little consideration so as not to overuse them; the pads are not especially designed for racing, and therefore their correct use will greatly determine the outcome of the race regarding lap times. Consequently it is a very agreeable and professional car, not too difficult to drive but demanding if one wants to beat the stopwatch.

Participants

In order to participate in one of the ten races during the “Alfa GTV Cup” calendar one had to go to an Alfa Romeo dealer and fill out a form. If in the 160 chosen drivers (16 different drivers for each of the ten races in the programme), one had to pay a subscription fee which comprises participation in sports car driving course with Andrea De Adamich (at the Varano de’Melegari racing track, near Parma), a C.S.A.I. driving license, fire-proof racing gear (overalls, helmet, gloves and shoes) and complete hospitality for the whole duration of the event. Included in this quota are all the expenses for the vehicles (tyres, petrol and general wear and tear), for free trials, for qualification laps and the final race on the Sunday.

Cars

The sixteen vehicles available for the Alfa GTV Cup have all been prepared by Fiat Auto Racing in Chivasso, equal in performance and identical to the “official” Alfa Romeo colours. In respect to the models to be found in the show-rooms they also have aerodynamic appendix, both front and back. The body of the GTV maintains its already sporty showroom appearance. The only new “racing” additions are the steering wheel and OMP seat. The other seats and interior trims have disappeared along with approximately 200 kilos.

Beneath the ample bonnet stares the generous 3.0l V6 24 valve. Different from the standard showroom version, the fuel injection chip has been re-mapped and the exhaust no longer has lambda sensors or a catalytic converter. Also new is the centrally mounted engine oil cooler.

Technical specifications

Engine: front transverse, 6 cylinder 60° V, bore and stroke 93 mm (3.7 in) x 72.6 mm (2.9 in), cylinder capacity 2959 cc, 230 bhp (172 kW; 233 PS) at 6900 rpm; max torque 28.5 kg⋅m (279 N⋅m; 206 lb⋅ft) at 5300 rpm, 4 camshafts-2 per cylinder head, four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection
Transmission: front wheel drive, manual 6 speed gear box
Chassis: independent front and rear suspension
Front: MacPherson struts with helicoil springs and anti-roll bar
Rear: multi-link with helicoil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar
Brakes: discs all round (front vented) with ABS
Steering: rack with hydraulic power steering
Tyres: Michelin 20/61-16
Dimensions: wheelbase 2.54 m (100 in), length 4.29 m (169 in), width 1.78 m (70 in), height 1.27 m (50 in)
Weight: 1,215 kg (2,679 lb)

Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24v Cup Ltd Edtn

Road car

To commemorate this event, Alfa Romeo created a limited edition GTV Cup.

References

External links

• Alfa GTV Cup