Currently reading: Alfa Romeo back on BTCC grid with dealer backing

Handy Motorsport to field Giulietta in tin-top championship from 2018

Alfa Romeo will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship grid next year, with the Handy Motorsport running a Alfa Romeo Giulietta in the series for race-winner Rob Austin. 

Swindon-based Handy Motorsport has competed in the BTCC since 2014, running a Toyota Avensis. While the switch to the Italian marque does not have manufacturer support, the team has secured backing from the Alfa Romeo Dealer Council, a group that represents a number of the firm’s dealerships.

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Austin, who joined Handy last season and is currently 12th in the 2017 points, said: “Driving an Alfa Romeo in the BTCC next season? It doesn’t get much more exciting, does it? The car is well suited to the BTCC regulations and we’re going to build a work of art as much as a racing car.”

BTCC series director Alan Gow said: “To have the support of the Alfa Romeo UK Dealer Council means a great deal to the team and it means a great deal to me and everyone involved in the BTCC. It goes to show that the people at the sharp end in selling Alfa Romeos see the fantastic value in the BTCC.”

The Italian firm hasn’t appeared on the BTCC grid since 2007, when a number of 156 tin-tops were run by privateer squads A-Tech and Quest Racing.

Alfa Romeo has claimed two BTCC titles. Andy Rouse won the series driving a Class B Alfa Romeo GTV6 in 1983. The marque fielded a full works team in 1994 at the height of the BTCC’s Super Touring era, with Gabriele Tarquini claiming the title in an 155 that featured a controversial front splitter and rear-wing.

1994 Alfa tarquini

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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a6rnh 29 August 2017

Autocar

That car seems to have sponsorship from Autocar too.

ProjectSixtyOne 29 August 2017

WallMeerkat wrote:

WallMeerkat wrote:

Why are they not marketing the Guilia?

The Guilletta at this point is several years old, and could be axed soon.

It's the car that fits the rules better, size, weight. Also the Guilia uses Carbon Fibre in its construction which isn't allowed under the current BTCC rules.


a6rnh wrote:

That car seems to have sponsorship from Autocar too.

Every car on the grid has Autocar stickers as they sponsor the series.

WallMeerkat 29 August 2017

Why are they not marketing

Why are they not marketing the Guilia?

The Guilletta at this point is several years old, and could be axed soon.