Grand Am-bitions

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Speedster502

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Alfa Romeo could soon be taking on the world in endurance racing if Italian firm Picchio has its way.

Already an established race car builder, Picchio has come up with a concept based on the gorgeous 8C Competizione coupe, although the vehicle would probably be a mid-engined machine.

The rules in the American Grand-Am Cup allow a car's shape to be developed from the existing road car, and the engine supplier can be identified as the car's manufacturer.

Alfa Romeo is believed to be looking at homologating the 8C's engine already.

Picchio is the only European race car manufacturer in the Grand-Am series at present with its DP2 racer, which the Alfa would be based on.

If the Alfa/Picchio racer gets the go-ahead, it could be on the grid from 2008.
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Not exactly the prettiest of cars is it? It certainly isnt as nice as the "gorgeous" Alfa 8C although it is good that Alfa is actually trying to get back into racing as they havent been racing for ages now.

Just thought you guys would like to see it.
 
it's better looking than many of the Daytona Prototypes. could it be adapted into a Le Mans car, too?
 
Probably but I think Alfa have there minds set on the Grand Am championship though. But waht I cant understand is the fact that they are italian so why are they entering a american championship?
 
Interesting, but why not make the jump up towards ALMS or FIA GT? Granted, Grand-Am racing is still moderately popular, but if you want to prove your product, I'd likely want to go and race with the big kids...

(Heck, even going into SCCA GT racing would be a good move...)
 
YSSMAN
Interesting, but why not make the jump up towards ALMS or FIA GT? Granted, Grand-Am racing is still moderately popular, but if you want to prove your product, I'd likely want to go and race with the big kids...

(Heck, even going into SCCA GT racing would be a good move...)
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They are. ;)

http://www.the-paddock.net/sportscar/content/view/240898/

The Daytona Prototype chassis in the first post isn't manufactured by Alfa Romeo. However, Grand Am is allowing the chassis manufacturer (in this case, Picchio) to adopt the bodywork of the engine manufacturer.
 
weren't they already doing fairly well with the Enzo based MC-12, I saw the car in action at the New England Gran-Prix and I looked pretty amazing. The more diversity of different types of racing the better.
 
land sea air
weren't they already doing fairly well with the Enzo based MC-12, I saw the car in action at the New England Gran-Prix and I looked pretty amazing. The more diversity of different types of racing the better.
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That's a Maserati, not an Alfa.
 
holy Italian auto company confusion batman, I really did know that its just more proof that one should not post while half asleep... :ouch: :ouch:
 
This year's Daytona 24 Hours was the most watched 24 Hours of Daytona in the history of the event. GARRA's Daytona Prototype formula has created close racing with large car counts that new fans outside of the sports car racing mainstream can easily enjoy.

Alfa Romeo is coming to the states to compete in a mainstream market sector, not as a hyper-luxury brand. Lexus, BMW, Pontiac, and Porsche are all brands that Alfa's Brera and 8C will go head to head with in price point.

Hmm, a highly competitive, inexpensive to compete in series in your new market where you'll be head to head with your marketplace competition? Seems like a freaking no-brainer, especially for cash strapped Alfa Romeo!
 

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