The HITEK Electronic Materials Alfa Romeo Championship returns to Oulton Park to contest the final rounds of an exciting season that has seen strong competition across all classes. Racing returns to the familiar 2.69 mile International Circuit instead of the slightly shorter Island Circuit that most drivers encountered for the first time a year ago.
The championship podium positions are provisionally settled following rounds 9 and 10 at Brands Hatch, with Barry McMahon taking top spot in his Modified class 156 from Power Trophy class leader George Osborne in his Alfa 75, and Twin Spark Cup leader Richard Ford in his 2.0 156. With the top three order and the class leads already decided, the championship competition will focus on the podium positions in each class where there are a number of drivers that are in the frame for trophies.
With champion elect Barry McMahon otherwise engaged this weekend, Gareth Haywood’s return to the track for the first time since Donington Park should make him a strong contender for race victories in his ex Roger Evans and Graham Seager championship winning GTV, along with Roger Evans in his spectacular Invitation Class 8C powered Giulietta first debuted at Croft in June.
The second and third Modified class places will be contested by Scott Austin in his newly acquired ex-Vincent Dubois Integrale-engined 156 on 102 points after Brands Hatch, Keith Waite in his 75 on 100 points and Andy Page in the Giulietta 116 also on 100 points going into the final two races. Tom Waite also returns in his 1.7 litre 33 complete with new 16v engine.
In the Power Trophy class, it’s great to see four time champion Tom Hill returning to the action in his 3.2 Revs Italia GT. Tom, on 134 points, is one of 4 drivers who could take a championship class podium this weekend. Regular competitor Andy Inman, in the Revs Italia 156 GTV on 114 points after dropped scores are taken into account is in a strong position , as are former champion Graham Seager on 103 points in the Revs Italia 147 GTA and Dave Messenger on 100 points in the Darnells Engineering 156 GTA. They join class leader George Osborne in his familiar black Alfa 75 in a competitive grid. Gabriele Iaccarino in his 3.2 GT has been a regular campaigner in this his first year of racing with the championship and he will be hoping for a strong finish to the season to build on his continued improvement as the season has progressed.
Joining Richard Ford in his HITEK Electronic Materials 156 is a strong field of regular and returning competitors. The competition for second and third championship class places will be contested by James Ford in his familiar 156 on 134 points, former champion Andrew Bourke in his 156 also on 134 points and Jon Billingsley in his 147 on 121 points, all supported by Bianco Motorsports. Joining them will be Connor Davies after his eventful first Alfa outing at Croft, Tom Williams following his first experience of Alfa racing at Brands Hatch and virtual racing winner Colin Cunniffe after an impressive first drive at Snetterton in the blue Bianco 156. Andy Winterton is getting to grips with the ex Dave Messenger 156 that he shares with Geoff Turral and will be on his third consecutive race weekend whilst Jon Tortolani returns in the immaculate ex Luther Blissett 156.
Thanks once again goes to HITEK Electronic Materials, WoYa Digital, Yokohama, Black’n’Rounds, WrapUK.com, Andrew Lee, Fusion Care Solutions, Enzari, the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and the 750 Motor Club for their continuing and valued support.