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    • Alfa Romeo at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana Alfa Romeo at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana - by MiA - As Art was kind enough to set up a blog for my meanderings I felt I should give it a go. What to write about, how long should it be? Perhaps I could use a blog as an excuse to dig a little more into subjects I was interested in, and if anyone else learned a bit, then so much the better. Of course the first one would have to be a subject near and dear to my heart (and so as if you didn’t know) Alfa Romeos! But what Alfa story? As the company with the oldest racing history there are so many stories. So, where to start?? Lets just choose a convenient and timely one, the upcoming Carrera Panamericana proxy race. Over the five years that the race was held there were many Alfas to write about, both factory and private entries.  For a first go lets just use the alternate photo posted for the upcoming proxy race. Easy, a bit obscure, quite pedestrian and definitely all Alfa!! I’m sure Art put it in for my benefit!! [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="911"] Monumento de la Revolition[/caption] A little bit of background on the Carrera Panamericana first. In 1950, Mexico became the first Latin-American country to complete its part of the Pan-American Highway. To celebrate this achievement, the national government decided to organize a five-day race along the new road. It consisted of a total of 9 stages and ran from Ciudad Juárez on the US border to the Guatemalan border. The original version of the Carrera Panamericana was held from 1950 to 1954 and during its short existence it developed a reputation for being one of the most dangerous races in the world. Due to the start line being close to the US, most of the cars and drivers for the first 1950 race came from the US. The first winners were an American team of Hershel McGriff and Ray Elliott in an Oldsmobile 88. From the second edition onwards, the route was switched, going from the southern to the northern border. Over the ensuing years competition grew and attracted more teams from abroad. Along with most American manufacturers and many ‘specials’, Ferrari, Lancia, Porsche, Borgward, Alfa Romeo, Austin Healey, OSCA, Jaguar, Mercedes, Talbot Lago, Gordini, VW and Pegaso all sent or supported teams headlined with seasoned road, track and rally drivers. Of particular interest here is the 1954 race and the picture used for the alternate in the upcoming proxy races announcement. (Hopefully Alfas from other years will follow in later posts). 1954 was the last of the original races and the picture was taken in front of the Monumento de la Revolition in Mexico City, probably sometime after the third day of racing or just before the start of the fourth day. The Monumento de la Revolition commemorates the independence of Mexico from Spain. It is located in Plaza de la República, near to the heart of major thoroughfares in downtown Mexico City. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Monumento de la Revolition[/caption] The structure was initially intended to be at the centre of the Federal Legislature and the first stone was laid in 1910 during the centennial celebrations of Independence. The project was not finished due to the Mexican Revolutionary War and after several regime changes in 1913 it was cancelled and abandoned. It’s steel inner structure stood rusting for more than twenty years. Later it was proposed to convert the abandoned structure into a monument to the heroes of the Mexican Revolution. After this was approved, the structure began its makeover. Four stone sculpture groups were designed and built over the existing cupola structure. The structure also functions as a mausoleum for the heroes of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. It was eventually completed around 1938. For the 1954 running there were thirteen Alfas entered. Eleven participated and 2 were listed as Did Not Arrive. No. Drivers Entrant Make Type Model Engine Gr. 251 Sanesi / Cagna Alfa Romeo Finmeccanica Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 252 Velazquez / Ruiz Atoyac Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 254 Mancini / Mijares Anaconda Nacional Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 255 Carini / Sambrotta Alfa Romeo Finmeccanica Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 256 Mantovani / Chiappa Alfa Romeo Finmeccanica Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 257 Solana / Leguizamo Alfa Romeo Finmeccanica Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 258 Pedro J. Llano Pedro J. Llano Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 260 Guillermo G. Airaldi Guillermo Airaldi Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 265 Cerezo / Palacios David Cerezo Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 267 Della Favera / Campigotto Alfa Romeo Finmeccanica Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 268 Bonini / Zanavoni Alfa Romeo Finmeccanica Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 And entered but did not arrive: 264 Pedro J. Llano Pedro J. Llano Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 266 Enrique Fluchaire Enrique Fluchaire Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Alfa Romeo TE1.9 Clearly shown in the picture are four Alfa Romeo 1900 Ti cars. Quite possibly these are four of the five cars entered by Finmeccanica. The 5th Finmeccanica entered car is possibly the car to the right in the photograph. Like many of the early automobile manufacturers Alfa Romeo had gone through turbulent times since it’s inception. Ugo Gobbato the head of Alfa Romeo in 1945 had been shot and killed by an unknown gunman as he cycled to work. Thus after WW2 Alfa thus found itself without a leader and with most of its factories destroyed by the war. A new chairman, Pasquale Gallo, was appointed to demilitarize Alfa Romeo, and responsibility for design was handed to the engineer Orazio Satta Puliga. He made significant contributions towards re-launching Alfa Romeo into a new era. After introducing several upscale models based on pre war models, in 1950 he introduced the Alfa Romeo 1900, a family car that would be capable of winning races. Modern and practical, Puliga considered the 1900 to be the ultimate choice for the middle class. It offered great performance and a heritage of brilliant sporting achievements at a competitive price. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="781"] Alfa Romeo 1900 Sedan (Berlina)[/caption] The Alfa Romeo 1900 was produced from 1950 to 1959. It was an important development for Alfa, being it’s first car built entirely on a production line and it’s first production car without a separate chassis. The Engine was a 1.9 L DOHC Inline 4, developing 90 bhp, which was later enlarged to 2.0L It was produced in several variants, a 4-door saloon (Berlina), a 2-door coupé (Sprint) and a 2-door convertible. It was the first Alfa Romeo offered with left-hand drive. After introduction it was later offered as a 1900C(Short) and then as a 1900TI with a more powerful motor producing 100bhp. Later came Super and Super Ti versions. A total of 21,304 were built during the production run, including 17,390 of the saloons. The chassis was designed specifically to allow it to be re-bodied and several coachbuilders developed some beautiful variants, including a 4-wheel drive version (Matta) based on the 1900. Finmeccanica, the entrant of the cars we are interested in was established in 1948 as part of the efforts by Italy's government-controlled industrial holding company IRI (Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale) to restructure Italy’s devastated industrial and engineering sector after the war. IRI had itself taken over effective control of Alfa around 1928 when Nicola Romeo left the company. After it’s establishment Finmeccanica effectively became Alfa Romeo’s parent company until it sold Alfa to the Fiat Group in 1986. The 1954 race was run from south to north over 8 stages and 3,070 kilometres (1,910 mi). 150 cars started the race, and 85 finished all 8 stages. The European stock car class was won by Consalvo Sanesi and Giuseppe Cagna in Alfa Romeo #251 finishing 15th overall. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="438"] 1900 Motor[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Finned Aluminium Brake Drum[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="464"] Finishing Line[/caption] Other Alfa finishers were car # 256 driven by Mantovani / Chiappa finishing 18th overall, car # 267 driven by Della Favera / Campigotto finishing 19th overall, car # 255 driven by Carini / Sambrotta finishing 20th overall, car # 252 driven by Velazquez / Ruiz finishing 30th overall. Car # 268 driven by Bonini / Zanavoni was a DNF due to an accident. All considered, an excellent showing for Alfa. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Consalvo Sanesi and Giuseppe Cagna[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="370"] Carini/Sambrota in car #255[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="418"] The Velazquez / Ruiz car[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="412"] The Velazquez / Ruiz car[/caption] There are several good smaller scale models of most of the cars that participated in the 1954 race, but I haven’t found a 1/32 scale kit that could be used as the basis for an S32 car …yet. [foogallery id="33634"]

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Vintage Slot Car Articles and Other Reference Materials

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    • 2 weeks ago

      Arthur

    • Upcoming ’70/’71 Targa Florio Not sure where to put this as there does not seem to be an 'Upcoming Events' Forum, so 'here' it is. Looks like another great event coming up soon, the '70/'71 Targa Florio!! Authentic livery specific!! An era when some of my favourite cars (Alfa's and Porsche's, big surprise there) and drivers (Vic Elford, Jo Siffert, Brian Redman, Masten Gregory, Pedro Rodriguez, Jo Bonnier, Mike Parkes, ..... ) were dominating. (Not showing my age am I??) To that end, so far I've one of each, the #20 Porsche 908/3 driven by Elford/Herrmann (what a great livery for that car) and the #2 Alfa T33/3 driven by Adamich/Lennep to a 2nd place in 1971. (Red, but what else for a factory Alfa) The Porsche is a basically stock Fly with gear and tires, very nice to drive but a bit limited by it's motor! The Alfa is a great car -GLH- and if Mr. 2.4 doesn't have an appropriate car perhaps he will race it for me!!?? See you all there.

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: R32

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    • 1 month ago

      Arthur

    • 2016 2.4h @ The Ring Looking forward to next weeks event. In an attempt to look like a team, two Porsche's, Shell and F.A.T. Turbo sponsorship. Slightly different shades of red?? I think the Fortuna car is an earlier model. Curious to see how it runs.:yahoo: MiA

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: R32

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    • 1 month ago

      Anonymous

    • October 12, 2016 – Spa Lyons Euro Trucks “You picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel,” and “Nice Hubs!” were heard all around, but the 401 in winter sees fewer trucks loose wheels. Also, a little rubbing is racing as truck after truck made light contact with the new wall protecting the magnificent new start line bridge. In the end it wasn’t about the hubs, but the jugs, as the St. Pauli Girl rig of Johnny Slots was the class of the field and the only truck to get into the 8.5’s. RESULTS: Laps John 63, Art 61, Drew 60, Jim O 57, Jim M 55, MiA 007 1960's Grand Prix Cooper Confusion. With a pair of identical #10 Cooper’s in the field, and both drivers swearing these are their only cars for the class, the rest of the competitors were confused as to which car they were actually racing! In the end it was the host who had the most, speed that is, as Drew held off the flying Ferrari to win. A fine podium finish for Jim M. too. RESULTS: Laps (ext. sec.) Drew 65, Art 64, Jim M 63, John 62 (12.478), Jim O 62 (21.927), MiA 57 3.0L Grand Prix Brass or fight for 2nd. So it was a battle for 2nd among the plastic cars as the maestro put on a performance to win by 4 laps. Fans were seen leaving early to get home to watch the Leafs game as word quickly spread about the amazing Auston Matthews and his 4-goal debut in Ottawa. Unlike the Matthews whose impressive performance was put to waste as the Leafs lost, welcome to Toronto Auston, There's always next year!! Art’s performance was just as impressive but he did get the win. The yellow McLaren was best of the rest while 3rd through 6th were each a lap apart. Results: Laps Art 72, John 68. Jim M 65, Drew 64, MiA 63, Jim O 62 3.0L Le Mans With the stands now only half full, it was time for the fury of 3.0L Le Mans, where, being Le Mans, the might of the Matras was too tough to tame. And just like in the other 3 litre class, there was no competition for the lead. But the battle for 2nd was mighty with the host claiming the 2nd spot as one off meant a lost lap for the little Alfa. The remaining 3 positions were also hotly contested with Jim M. squeaking into 4th by just over a second ahead of MiA while Jim O. was only a lap back. It was great to get back on track after many moons with no racing at Spa-Lyons. Thanks to the host, and his Za-maker. Next up we get Jim O’s track back into the rotation after his summer sailing hiatus. Results: Laps (ext.) Art 78, Drew 75, John 74, Jim M. 67 (9.154), MiA 67 (10.905), Jim O 66

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: R32

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    • 1 month ago

      Avatar photoPorsche911

    • R32 XXXV @ Spa-Lyons – February 24, 2020 On a chilly February evening, and for the second time this decade, teams loaded up their transporters for the journey to Spa-Lyons. Teams arrived to find the track already alive with spectators, many who had come to cheer on their favourite who was scheduled to debut the new Rover BRM turbine car. Spectators and media had assumed the best possible locations. Even Bib was trying to get in on the show. Track regulars Bill and Sally were back at Hot Tub Corner again, but mindful of the stir created by them during the last race meeting, the Woman’s White Cross League were there in their proper skirts and practical loafers, attempting (somewhat futilely perhaps) to preserve virtuous behaviour for all of mankind!! As the evening began, drivers seemed unusually well behaved (perhaps it was the lack of a NASCAR event) and things started off smoothly with a 50’s Vintage race. After a very gentlemanly race with few incidents, Robert Manzon in his beautiful Gordini T-32, relived his triumphant finish in the GP of Reims and showed the field the way home with 63 laps. He was followed one lap later (62) by ‘The Pampas Bull’ Jose Froilan Gonzalez, showing the Italian flag and driving the same Ferrari 375 he had driven to victory in the 1951 Silverstone GP. Two laps back with 60 was Snidley Whiplash in his beautiful turquoise Maserati 250F. With 58 laps, and in his reserve Ferrari D50, was Juan Manuel Fangio with 58 laps. Next up on the schedule were sports cars. A mixed bag representing a wide range of eras took to the track. A Jaguar XK120 fresh from the Alpen Rally led the field with 61 laps, followed by a 1965 Rover BRM driven by crowd favourite Sir Jackie Stewart only 5 seconds behind in second. Punching well above it’s class, the VW Beetle 1200 DeLuxe of Manuel Hinke, fresh (??) from it’s running in the 1954 Carrera Panamericana finished a distant 3rd with 57 laps, but showing it's heels to an even older 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 “Uovo” driven by Giannino ‘the tailor’ Marzotto that finished with 56 laps. With 52 laps, the 1966 Porsche 904 GTS of George Follmer and Peter Gregg that ran in the 1966 Sebring 12 hours followed along after a very tidy run. Sir Jackie’s result sent many of the elated fans scurrying to open a fresh Tripel Karmeliet and racing was paused so all could enjoy the moment. After a break and a delicious chocolate cupcake sugar fix courtesy of Johnathan the drivers were back at it in Vintage Lemans cars. A lone Ferrari 512S Coda Lunga in very un-Italian silver led an almost all Porsche grid to the chequered flag with a blistering 68 laps. It was followed 3 laps later by a Porsche 907 LH in livery as raced in the 1968 24H of Daytona piloted by Jo Siffert & Hans Hermann. It was followed 2 laps later by a Porsche 917K from the 1970 24 Hrs. of Lemans and driven by Gijs Van Lennep & David Piper with 63 laps. Next along with 62 laps was a 1971 Porsche 917LH  in Martini livery that was raced by Gérard Larrousse & Vic Elford. A 1969 Targa Florio liveried Porsche 907K piloted by Hans Dieter Dechent and Gerhard Koch rounded out the field with 57 laps. The evening ended with CanAm cars roaring to life. After many enlightening trips past Hot Tub Corner the McLAREN M8D sponsored by Paul Newman Racing and as driven by  Bob Bondrant at the 1971 series opening race at Mosport easily outclassed the field with a scorching 73 laps. Eating tire dust all the way home, the team of an Alfa Romeo T33/4 driven by Scooter Patrick and sponsored  by West Coast Distributor Otto Zipper Alfa and  a Chaparral 2E as  piloted by Phil Hill at the 1966 Mosport Can-Am trailed in 6 laps later with 67 circuits. A McLaren M20 piloted by Denny Hulme was further back with 64 laps and having a few mechanical issues a 1974 McLaren M20 Interseries car piloted by privateer Mark Kelleners finished with 58 laps. A 1971 Sebring liveried Alfa Romeo T33/3 liveried as driven by Nino Vaccarella and Tony Heinzman finished with 57 laps. To the victors went the champagne as they were all toasted appropriately, in the finest time honoured tradition. It was great to return again to Spa-Lyons. Thanks to our host Drew and his wife Nancy for their hospitality on a brisk February evening!

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: R32

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    • 1 month ago

      Arthur

    • Links to slot car sites I ordered some cars from this site some time ago and waited to see whether the site was a scram or not before passing it on. Wait time is fairly long and I wondered whether the site was legit or not. Pricing was quite good, in Canadian dollars, free shipping. Selection is very limited, and mixed in with a bunch of R/C stuff, but if they have something you are interested in and you don't mind waiting then it might work for you. Cars arrived yesterday, no unpleasant surprises,  so site and pricing is as advertised. :good: https://www.shop4ca.com/radio-controlled-cars

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: What’s New! New Releases & Other Useful Stuff

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    • 3 years ago

      Avatar photoMiA

    • Motor Testing Many of you have already seen this I'm sure, but for those who haven't and are interested, and as it came up in conversation recently, a link to Bob Livingston's excellent article on motor testing. Scroll down through it and you get a good explanation of setup and how he tested RPM and Torque, and how torque was tested at lower voltages and then given an appropriate multiplying factor. This seemed to be an acceptable practice. If not entirely accurate, results with the same equipment and methodology should at least be relatively accurate. Setup's are relatively easy to duplicate should you be interested in doing it yourself. http://slotcarnews.blogspot.com/2007/02/slot-car-news-motor-list.html If anyone is further interested I could see if I could find the manufacturers graphs showing the same thing wrt torque.

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Slot Car Resources

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    • 4 years ago

      Avatar photoPeter Langlois

    • Heritage con 2019 Anyone interested in picking up a plastic model or attending a seminar on weathering models might be interested in Heritagecon 2019 this Sunday at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. A large show with lots of vendors and you get to see the planes too!! :good: link below http://www.heritagecon.com/index.html

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Local Events & Happenings

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    • 5 years ago

      Arthur

    • Vintage A great initial get together for the 1934 Correa Ford V8 Special from the Rio GP and Sir Tim's 1930 4 1/2L Blower Bentley from LeMans!!!  Both ran remarkably well while still maintaining their correct 'tall' appearance. Maybe even more remarkable was that despite a big dis-similarity in weight, size, motor and gearing, both cars made similar enough lap times that racing will actually be feasible and fun and they looked spectacular together on the track!! World's apart as 1:1 racers, but they didn't appear inappropriate together today. This is going to be fun!! :yahoo:

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Historical 1:1

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    • 5 years ago

      Avatar photoMiA

    • Warm up for Ringwood A couple of clips to get one in the mood for the upcoming Ringwood. French G.P. 1965 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2XUs9_Uds4 1965 Nurburgring https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NoFM-xuKI 1967 German Grand Prix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRaAMzqYxpE Enjoy  

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Historical 1:1

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    • 5 years ago

      Avatar photoMiA

    • Cobra vs. Ferrari A BBC documentary with some some good historical footage of the era. A good way to spend the last few hours of your year. Happy New Year all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vojnf8shDHY&feature=youtu.be

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Historical 1:1

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    • 6 years ago

      Avatar photoPorsche911

    • Sebring 1957 Just to see how this works, so we may as well have the Wayback go way back. These images are from my dad's collection taken almost 60 years ago, so please keep them within the group. Due to the 100k suggested limit the images have become a bit grainy. Should anyone be interested contact me for larger file sizes. As time goes by I'll try to figure how to add a little info to each image.

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Historical 1:1

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    • 6 years ago

      Avatar photoMiA

    • Just for fun So, just for fun, what is this type of construction called? Who developed it? Who used it? Bonus marks for major benefits and major drawbacks. More bonus marks for how some of these drawbacks were mitigated to some extent. And a guess at which car is in the photo above.

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Historical 1:1

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    • 6 years ago

      Avatar photoMiA

    • Canadian Grand Prix: St. Jovite 1968 Canadian Grand Prix: St. Jovite PQ. 1968 Rolling to the start line. What a front row!! :yahoo: Right Jack?? :scratch: It might be just the angle, but it sure looks like the rear wing dihedral has changed under load??? :unsure: Apparently someone had a sense of humor?? :wacko:

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: Historical 1:1

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    • 7 years ago

      Avatar photoMiA

    • Can Am thunder poll Newbie question: Is a slim-line FF style motor the same as the slow motor we use in 50's GP? I have a Monogram 1965 Chaparral 2C that I would like to use in the pre 66 early series with the slim style motor. Can I use it if slow motors are voted in? If It's not the same, what is the RPM of the slim-line FF style motor? Thanks

      Started by: Avatar photoMiA in: R32 Class Criterium

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    • 8 years ago

      Anonymous

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Viewing 26 topics - 1 through 26 (of 26 total)