Is Alfa Romeo likely to return to WTCC?

[MikeD]

E.g. with the 159?

Does anybody have any news or are they definetely out of WTCC?

[Stefvh]

Definetely out, for the moment.

[FIRE]

Is Alfa Romeo likely to return to WTCC?

No

[Bramzel]

Theres not even the slightest indication or rumour that they'll be back, so I wouldn't count on it.

[AxelF]

It's hard, that Alfa does no current motorsport anymore...

I haven't seen something about the 8C in GT Sport...

[mattt]

was it not somewhere that when n-tech went to the accord, that they didnt go with the 159 due to weight diadvantages with it.

im sure i read it somewhere

[werner]

The 159 is to heavy. And the 147 is to old. The car that will replace the 147 might be a suitable car, so hopefully Alfa Romeo will enter that car. Or built a Fiat Bravo S2000-racecar.
The good thing is that the engine is aready in development for the Grande Punto S2000-rallycar. It would be really cost-effective for FIAT to develop the same engine for 2 sorts of motorsports and 2 brands.

[MikeD]

I don't think FIAT will go the WTCC way. From what I hear they are currently getting ready for the new WRC regulations, where they will be one of 7 manufacturers entering WRC (with the Punto).

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by MikeD

I don't think FIAT will go the WTCC way. From what I hear they are currently getting ready for the new WRC regulations, where they will be one of 7 manufacturers entering WRC (with the Punto).

Actually it's not the WRC they are entering, it's the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) which is for S2000-type cars.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

Actually it's not the WRC they are entering, it's the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) which is for S2000-type cars.

Don't count on the WRC rules staying the same for long anymore...

[Go_For_Pole]

Indeed. The new regulations are due to be approved by FIA shortly and suit Fiat's S2000 Grande Punto fine. So the Gruppo is WRC bound and it does not look like there will be other official motorsport activities.

[Sodemo]

Such a shame, Alfa touring cars are amongst the best looking along with BMW.

It surprises me marques such as Ford and Peugeot has not entered either the BTCC or the WTCC.

[FIRE]

Peugeot: endurance racing and rally
Ford: rally

[Icebaby]

Not having Alfa Romeo is like Ferrari not being in F1, fantastic looking cars in touring car spec and really hope they return. James Thompson did the marque proud in its final year and proved it is still a winning package.

[stedevil]

There is a Peugeot in STCC

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Peugeot: endurance racing and rally
Ford: rally

Yeah, and Ford competed in the BTCC for years when it had its rally and F1 program during the 90's.

Pug also did F1 and the BTCC during the 90's.

[Go_For_Pole]

At the moment Pug's S2000 program is client-only and I would bet it will remain so because the "new" WRCs will only be allowed to race in the World Championship and not in national or regional series. Therefore whoever develops "new" WRC spec cars will either have to budget for a works team in WRC or find enough clients in WRC to recover their investement. With Pug so into Mans I would think the former is very unlikely and given the financial state of WRC private teams so is the latter .

[Koulle]

Sadly, I don't see Alfa returning to WTCC in the near future.

From what I last read about them at the end of last year it seems they are very unhappy with the current regulations.

[Bramzel]

Why are they unhappy with regulations that kept them competative untill the very end with the oldest car on the grid?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Why are they unhappy with regulations that kept them competative untill the very end with the oldest car on the grid?

I agree

The main problem of FIAT/Alfa Romeo/Maserati/Ferrari is that they don't know what they want. Rally, GT racing or touring car racing? A lot of rumours and announcements but it never materialises.

[Koulle]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Why are they unhappy with regulations that kept them competative untill the very end with the oldest car on the grid?

I think they were unhappy with the constant rule changes to try and balance the performance between cars, particularly between RWD and FWD cars, adding diesel engines to the equation doesn't help the situation either.

I think that's why there was a proposal for all cars to be RWD but it was rejected because of the high costs involved.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by Koulle

I think that's why there was a proposal for all cars to be RWD but it was rejected because of the high costs involved.

I'm glad they did. TCCs after all should at least be similar to normal roadgoing cars.

[Bramzel]

Well, there were rumours about Alfa wanting to homologate its Q4 model with disconnected front drive, effectively turning it in to a RWD. Probably just gossip, but I wouldn't mind that idea too much.

[THIM]

I'd prefer 4WD Alfa then. I don't like such an artificial RWD. But because sadly 4WDs aren't S 2000 legal, FWD would be better.

[awrb]

Originally Posted by THIM

I'd prefer 4WD Alfa then. I don't like such an artificial RWD.

at the end of the day, I'd rather have an 'artificial RWD' Allfa than no Alfa at all. The WTCC needs more manufacturers to be properly entertaining, but none are being attracted because because the regulations are messed around aftre every session. the FIA just need to do away with all these dispensations, like the flat bottom for the unaerodynamic SEAT... they chose to use that car.

I think some strong regs are needed for manufacturers to take the series seriously, then maybe Alfa and some more will join.