Abarth 500 Trophy: the Scorpion is back on the track

Image via Wikipedia

One-make trophies have always been part of Abarth’s genetic makeup, a tradition carried on over the years by model after model. And it’s a tradition that was as alive and vital as ever in 2007 – the year the new Abarth & C. SpA was born – with the one-make Championship for Fiat Punto Super 1600, Fiat Panda Kit and Fiat Panda 100HP, as well as with the API-IP ORO DIESEL Abarth Grande Punto Trophy, the championship open only to Fiat Grande Punto R3Ds which was also held in 2008.
This year, Abarth is back on the racetrack with the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse” in the Abarth 500 Trophy, which will be divided into three championship events: the Abarth 500 Europe Trophy, the Abarth 500 Trophy, and the Abarth 500 Italy Trophy. Starring in all three of these challenges will be the super-small but super-hot Scorpion, packing a 190 horsepower punch and everything else it needs to make it a force to be reckoned with anywhere: wider track, 17 inch ultralight alloy racing wheels, aerodynamic enhancements, roll cage type-approved for competition, sports seats and plenty of other goodies.
At a limited cost, the Abarth 500 Trophy lets participating drivers experience all the thrill of Europe’s most grueling circuits, together with the excitement of such high-audience events as the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, the WTCC World Touring Car Championship, and the ACI CSAI championships.
The Abarth 500 Trophy, which will be run alongside the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, will take place over six weekends, with two races each. It begins on March 29 in Monza, moving to Mugello on May 3, and then to Imola on May 17, Le Castellet (France) on July 5, Valencia (Spain) on September 27, and Vallelunga on October 11.
The Abarth 500 Trophy Europe also consists of six two-race events, and will be run alongside the European WTCC trials. It starts on May 31 in Valencia (Spain), continuing on June 21 in Brno (Czech Republic), July 5 in Porto (Portugal), July 19 in Brands Hatch (United Kingdom), September 6 in Oschersleben (Germany) and September 20 in Imola (Italy).
The Abarth 500 Trophy Italy will kick off at Imola on April 19 at the opening of the ACI CSAI championships, with further rounds on May 3 in Mugello, together with the qualifying trial for the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, on June 7 in Magione (with the ACI CSAI championships), on August 2 in Varano de’ Melegari (again with the ACI CSAI races), on September 27 in Mugello (ACA CSAI) and on October 11 in Vallelunga, alongside the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy.