Abarth Trofeo features in circuit media day

Abarth’s forthcoming one-make Trofeo race series was among the main attractions at a media day held yesterday (24 March) at one of the UK’s top motor racing circuits.

The series, which starts with its first rounds over the Easter weekend (3 and 5 April), was part of a media tie-in with the British Superbikes race programme at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire. The Abarth 500 Trofeo cars will feature alongside the superbikes later this season.

Starring Abarth’s potent new 500 Assetto Corse race cars, the Trofeo series has proved a remarkable success on the International race calendar. Dates for the UK version – called Trofeo Abarth 500 GB – were recently announced and include rounds at some of Britain’s best-known circuits, beginning with the Easter races at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

The Trofeo race cars and the British Superbikes return to Cadwell Park later this year for an event – one of the first of its kind – featuring two- and four-wheeled racing on the same bill.

“This was a final chance for the media to see our race cars before the season gets underway,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth UK. “It also allowed several drivers and teams to make final preparations for what I am sure will be an exciting and entertaining season of racing in these remarkable cars.”

Powered by a 1368cc 16-valve turbocharged engine, the 970kg Trofeo 500 race cars develop 190bhp at 6500rpm and torque of 300Nm at 3000rpm to achieve dramatic performance on the track.