The one-make series, featuring Abarth’s potent new 500 Assetto Corse race cars, has proved a remarkable success on the International race calendar following a superb 2009 season in Europe. And now the UK series – called Trofeo Abarth 500 GB – has been officially announced, and will feature in top race meetings at some of Britain’s best-known circuits next year.
Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth UK, and race driver Adam Jones, who won the UK round of the European Trofeo at Brands Hatch, Kent, this year, formally launched the programme to a large gathering of team owners, dealers, drivers and sponsors, who came to see and test the first six Assetto Corse cars delivered to the UK.
Despite changeable weather, the test drivers managed to make the most of Silverstone’s small but demanding Stowe circuit to give the new cars a thorough shake-down.
The 1368cc 16-valve turbocharged engine in the Trofeo 500 race cars develops 190bhp at 6500rpm and torque of 300Nm at 3000rpm to give the Assetto Corse – which weighs just 970kg – sparkling performance on the track. A smart body kit and 17-inch sports wheels add to the car’s impressive road holding and stability.
‘This was a fantastic way to launch an exciting new race series in the UK,’ says Ivan Gibson. ‘The event was well supported by interested drivers and teams, and I am sure we will have a full starting grid of talented entries when Trofeo GB takes to the track in earnest next season.’
A full calendar of race meetings featuring Trofeo Abarth 500 GB races will be announced soon.
Loading ...
LEXUS LF-LC NAMED TOP DESIGN
PORSCHE ANNOUNCES A NEW GENERATION
TOYOTA INTRODUCES THE 2012 LAND
CROSSOVER TO THE NEW 12MY
KIA UNVEILS SOPHISTICATED NEW
NISSAN CONFIRMS JUKE-R PERFORMANCE
VAUXHALL MOKKA ALL-NEW SMALL SUV
KIA OPTIMA GOES ON UK SALE
THE VOLKSWAGEN CADDY MATCH
VOLKSWAGEN E-BUGSTER
THE WORLD’S MOST ECONOMICAL
CHEVROLET PUTS NEXT-GEN BUYERS IN
AUDI Q3 VAIL CONCEPT
INTRODUCING THE NEW CITROEN C1
PEUGEOT’S STYLISH NEW 107
