Alfa Romeo's Modifications.

Speeddemon555 · 24 Jan 2003, 14:37 (Ref:484566)

Alfa Romeo will be modifying their 156 with new suspension upgrade and a 6 speed sequencial gear box replacing the H-Pattern gearbox. Is this the advantage of the GTA team for the 2003 ETCC season?

JMeissner · 24 Jan 2003, 16:53 (Ref:484715)

Remember BMW's -30 kilos for staying with the original gearbox...

kykiske · 26 Jan 2003, 10:39 (Ref:486255)

guess Alfa had to take the risk of the extra 30kilos to try and stop the BMW's completely overruning them this year

Still fear its going to happen though.... though if Priaulx wins it for Britian i wont care a jot!

Speeddemon555 · 26 Jan 2003, 15:56 (Ref:486529)

Alfa Romeo is a front wheel drive car compare to the rear wheel driven BMWs.

**Dani Filth** · 26 Jan 2003, 18:11 (Ref:486611)

what BMW overruning Alfa in 2003 ...... no way ... they have the best trio .. the best engine ... and don't forget were back in Monza this year

...

JMeissner · 26 Jan 2003, 18:12 (Ref:486614)

...though not the best chassis...

SALEEN S7R · 26 Jan 2003, 19:40 (Ref:486681)

Im thinking that the BMW will benefit enough from the 25kg weight reduction to make a differnce, ok they have the H pattern gearbox but as Prilux has said after testing the car recently its very forgiving. The BMW already had the best chasis balance in 2002 but was just lacking in power the 25kg weight reduction will make up for it though I think, and I belive the BMW has the same top end speed as the alfa now remember THE move at Spa last year on the camel straight. BMW I think will run away with the title this year..

JMeissner · 26 Jan 2003, 20:00 (Ref:486696)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
...The BMW already had the best chasis balance in 2002...

*cough* Volvo *cough*

kykiske · 26 Jan 2003, 22:27 (Ref:486808)

all i was saying was that BMW have a blank check to win the ETCC and are prepared to use it.

Alfa have a little less cash

I know the rules are designed to keep costs down but money can always go somewhere. ie funding hoards of Beemers to swamp to poor Alfa's.....

SALEEN S7R · 26 Jan 2003, 23:18 (Ref:486862)

lol, the Poor Alfas yeah right! BMW had a few more cars than the Alfas this is true but Alfa certainly wont be short on cars at the start of the grid. As for BMW having a blank cheque - where did u get that info from? And how do u know that they have more cash than Alfa Romeo to spend?

kykiske · 27 Jan 2003, 11:04 (Ref:487232)

BMW are a huge european company thats why. Remember last years mid-season change in regulations, it was done partly to bring the RWD's closer to the FWD's, but also according to the FIA to stop a spending war breaking out, which BMW no doubt would win.

Cant you see its clear BMW will do anything to win the ETCC, and the most effective way of doing it in a close regulation series like the ETCC is to fund lots of cars

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jan 2003, 16:02 (Ref:487426)

Just because a manufacturer is huge dosent mean it gives all its cash to the racing team, I woudnt mind betting that the Alfa Romeo team has just as much cash for their squad as BMW.

Also lets not forget that whilst BMW is a huge company Alfa Romeo certainly isnt small either. Recently Ive started to see a awful lot of Alfa Romeo's out and about. Just because a manufacturer is bigger than another it dosent mean the team has that cash.

Take Jaguar for example, they are owned by the biggest manufacturer in the world, Ford. But they cant beat Ferrari which is reltivly small in comparisson even though its owned by Fiat - who are going bust by the looks of it.

kykiske · 27 Jan 2003, 17:05 (Ref:487478)

Agreed agreed. But BMW do seem on a bit of a mission. Great drivers, inc the reigning champion, and a number of cars to support/push him along.

I just think that this coming season BMW will prove that even in the tight specification touring car days we live in, money still goes along way

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jan 2003, 18:44 (Ref:487558)

Yep and I agree. But I dont think BMW will dominate completly, Im hoping that Alfa can compete with BMW and that SEAT can be a thawn in the side of the big 2 teams. The the thing is I belive Alfa have made a big mistake by going down the road of the sequential gearbox, BMW's chasis was already better than theres last year, although perhaps not as good as the Volvos, but the BMW's had more power and straightline speed than the Vovlos and as much as the Alfas at the end of the year.

By the way, does anyone know which teams are using the Sequential gearbox and who's sticking with the H pattern?

E46 · 27 Jan 2003, 18:51 (Ref:487567)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R

By the way, does anyone know which teams are using the Sequential gearbox and who's sticking with the H pattern?

Sequential gearbox: Alfa Romeo, Seat

H pattern: BMW, Volvo

Am I correct????

JMeissner · 27 Jan 2003, 19:54 (Ref:487628)

Volvo sequential!

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jan 2003, 20:07 (Ref:487637)

What about the Honda's and the Nissan's?

E46 · 27 Jan 2003, 20:30 (Ref:487654)

Quote:

Originally posted by JMeissner
Volvo sequential!

For this year or was already sequential in 2002???

JMeissner · 27 Jan 2003, 20:37 (Ref:487667)

In 2002 it wasn't allowed, they have changed now.

Portello · 27 Jan 2003, 20:45 (Ref:487676)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
Just because a manufacturer is huge dosent mean it gives all its cash to the racing team, I woudnt mind betting that the Alfa Romeo team has just as much cash for their squad as BMW.
[/B]

Yes,there won't be too many financial problems for Alfa Romeo

We'll see what will happen with the decision to choose the sequential gear, but Alfa Nordauto as a team will be even stronger than in 2002. Schnitzer will be too, so it's quite stimulating...

Peter

alfisti.net
Alfa Romeo Network

E46 · 27 Jan 2003, 20:47 (Ref:487679)

Quote:

Originally posted by JMeissner
In 2002 it wasn't allowed, they have changed now.

Sorry for the stupid question, when I have questioned I was in the moon.

JMeissner · 27 Jan 2003, 22:23 (Ref:487775)

Quote:

Originally posted by E46
Sorry for the stupid question, when I have questioned I was in the moon.

NSMG · 28 Jan 2003, 12:20 (Ref:488251)

''Cant you see its clear BMW will do anything to win the ETCC, and the most effective way of doing it in a close regulation series like the ETCC is to fund lots of cars [/B][/QUOTE] ''

Money cannot beat Engineering skills and for those who
don't know (it seems that there are many around...) the
Alfa 156 GTA ETCC was designed by one of the most talented race car engineers in history : Sergio Limone , the father of the Lancia 037 , S4 and all the Integrale family .
6 world rally championships in a row speak for themselves,
don't you agree ?

Best Regards.
NSMG

kykiske · 29 Jan 2003, 02:09 (Ref:488951)

yes. i agree, the alfa is a great machine. But BMW clearly will do almost anything the win the ETCC.
-they pressured the FIA into giving their cars less weight
-they run alot of car
-they have signed great drivers, such as the Muller's, Giovanardi and Priaulx to ensure success.

sadly i believe that such weight in numbers and size of budget can beat the engineering skills of alfa. Sad, but i believe (and this is only an opinion) true

JMeissner · 29 Jan 2003, 06:33 (Ref:489067)

Well, how about Alfa's Larini, Tarquini and Colciago... Not the average driver exactly...

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