Autodelta

Autodelta SpA was the name of Alfa Romeo's competition department. Established in 1961 as Auto-Delta, the company was started by Carlo Chiti and Lodovico Chizzola, former Alfa Romeo and Ferrari engineers. The team was officially made a department of Alfa Romeo on March 5, 1963.[1] The team was originally based in Feletto Umberto, Udine, before moving closer to Alfa Romeo's facilities in Settimo Milanese in 1964 and officially becoming Autodelta SpA. This allowed Autodelta to use the Balocco test track for new racing cars and prototypes.

Not to be confused with Autodelta (UK), Delta Motor Corporation (South Africa), or Delta-Auto (Finland).

The purpose of the company was bringing Alfa Romeo back to the top level of motor racing after Alfa Romeo's success in the 1950s. The first car developed together with Alfa Romeo and Autodelta was the Giulia TZ introduced in June 1962.[2] The TZ was updated to TZ2 in 1965, with both cars taking many wins in various championships. Alfa Romeo and Autodelta would later introduce the GTA to even more success.

After success in grand tourer racing, Chiti persuaded Alfa Romeo to develop sportscars for the World Sportscar Championship. Alfa Romeo built 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 litre V8 engines, and later a flat-12 for what would become the Tipo 33 racing car. This racing program led to Alfa Romeo winning the constructors championships in 1975 and 1977.

After winning the sportscar championships, Alfa Romeo turned to supplying engines to the Brabham Formula One team[3] and eventually returned to the sport with a factory team in 1979, run by Autodelta. The team also prepared Alfa Romeo rally cars such as the Alfetta GTVs.

Although the division was eventually phased out, Alfa Romeo used the Autodelta name again for their AutoDelta Squadra Corse team in the European Touring Car Championship run by N.Technology.

  • Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior, original Autodelta 1966.
  • The "Giulia TZ2" from 1965, one of the most famous achievements of Autodelta.
  • Alfa Romeo Giulietta Turbo, the last Autodelta car.

Race results

Victories in the sports car world championship
Year Race Car Driver 1 Driver 2
1971[4] 1000 km Brands Hatch Alfa Romeo T33/3  France Henri Pescarolo  Italy Andrea de Adamich
Targa Florio Alfa Romeo T33/3  Italy Nino Vaccarella  Netherlands Toine Hezemans
6 Hours of Watkins Glen Alfa Romeo T33/3  Sweden Ronnie Peterson  Italy Andrea de Adamich
1974[5] 1000 km Monza Alfa Romeo 33TT12  Italy Arturo Merzario  United States Mario Andretti
1977[6] Dijon 500km Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Arturo Merzario  France Jean-Pierre Jarier
Monza 500km Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Vittorio Brambilla  France Jean-Pierre Jarier
Vallelunga 400km Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Vittorio Brambilla  Italy Spartaco Dini
Coppa Florio Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Arturo Merzario
Estoril 2.5h Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Arturo Merzario
Le Castellet 500km Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Arturo Merzario  France Jean-Pierre Jarier
Imola 250km Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Vittorio Brambilla
Salzburgring 300km Alfa Romeo 33SC12  Italy Vittorio Brambilla

See also

References
  1. Pat Braden. "Alfa Corse/Autodelta History". velocissima.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  2. "Autodelta - a history". italiancar.net. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  3. "Carlo Chiti". historicracing.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  4. Erfolge in der Sportwagen-Weltmeisterschaft 1971 at the Wayback Machine (archive index)
  5. Erfolge in der Sportwagen-Weltmeisterschaft 1974 at the Wayback Machine (archive index)
  6. Erfolge in der Sportwagen-Weltmeisterschaft 1977 at the Wayback Machine (archive index)
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