Re:Alfa Racing History

[Jarmanhome@domain.elided]

In AD#264 Henry asks:
"Can anyone point me to a webpage with full breakdown on Alfa Romeo's racing
history?  I'm having an argument with guys on the Porsche list about who has
the richer, more successful racing history.  Alfa's success ends in the 50s,
I realize but I think they dominated for more years than Porsche."

No No No!!!   Recall that Alfa Romeo won going away the World Championship 
for Makes in 1975 and 1977 with the Type 33TT12.  What about the US Trans Am <
2.5LChampionship, taken with the GTA, GTAm and GTVs, in the 1970s?  My 
brother and I watched a GTAm suck up and pass a good running B Production 
Corvette on the straight at Mid Ohio back then!   GTVs also had a degree of 
rally successes during that era.  The TZ(1) had a long string of class 
victories to its name in the mid 60s.  Alfa Giuliettas were the car to beat 
in class in SCCA production racing in the 1960s, part of their marvelous 
heritage.  Aren't you aware of the titles Alfa has won in European Touring 
Car racing?  Starting in 1993 with the 155GTA, right folks?   And Alfa made 
serious attempts, if not inroads, into Formula One with the Brabham chassis, 
something Porsche has NEVER done (except for a feeble one-season attempt in 
the mid-1960s, as I recall).  Ask your contact about that one, Henry.
What one must remember about this argument is that Porsche's rise has been 
stellar since 1948.   When they have chosen to race, develop and dominate, 
they have done so in most cases (cf. LeMans and Indy).  However (and this is 
the "however" Porschephiles need to keep in mind), the record shows that 
company has not actually been as all-conquering as they would have us 
believe, and Porsches are not perfectly engineered, either.  
Alfa Romeo, on the other hand, has existed in one form or another since 1910, 
or move that up if you wish to when Ing. Romeo bought the firm.   Alfa has 
competed-and won- in virtually all forms of international motorsport (even 
racing boats).  Alfa has championship titles in their possession that Porsche 
has never laid claim to.  Compare the race prep needed on a mid-series 911 to 
that required to make a Giulietta Spider Veloce competitive, then let's talk 
about "thoroughbreds".

Porschephiles love to perpetuate the myth.  Sure, they're great sports cars, 
and their successes have been truly deserved.  But that's about it.  I would 
definitely NOT own a Porsche over the long haul, even if I could afford it 
(which I cannot).

Dave Jarman
Lexington KY
USA

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