HOT LAPS UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN
I remember attending events at the race track as a child. There weren’t many that I had the privilege of going to, only sufficient to count on one hand. However those few occasions I was fortunate enough to participate in left an indelible mark on me, one that has not wavered since. They were often at the invitation of a close relative or family friend that had exclusive access. The sites, sensations and smells of parc fermé and the pit garages are all still vivid in my recollection. The most notable was in early 2004 for the Kyalami edition of the SA production car series. Guest to the official Alfa Romeo Boma, invitees spurred a duo of 147 GTA’s forward, battling at the front of the grid on their local debut, but eventually emerging victorious. While other children my age enjoyed their time in the play area, in front of the boma, I watched intently beside my uncle as the red cars battled down the famed Mineshaft. It was mesmerizing and it was the first time I had come to witness the adoration and passion South Africans have towards the brand... many of them recollecting the fabled GTV6 triumph on the same tarmac a few decades prior. The success of the 147 GTA in the production car series was so profound, that it overwhelmingly convinced local importers to bring a small handful into the country. However, this isn’t a history lesson in the sporting lineage and racing pedigree of Alfa Romeo, which you are likely already well-versed in if you have read this far. This is about how a childhood experience shaped my own perception of Alfa Romeo and how it has developed into a love and adoration shared by all Alfisti.
Fast forward 15 years; I am now in my early 20’s and own a meticulously maintained Alfa Romeo 156, boasting a 2 liter twin spark motor. The brand I witnessed on that day, in 2004, paved the way for my ever growing love for cars, and in particular Alfa Romeo. All of my spare time and money is spent modifying or improving stock components to my preference. This effort comes to fruition at certain events hosted throughout the year; breakfast runs, Concorso d'Eleganza and, specifically, track days, constitute the majority of the scheduled events I endeavour to attend. Along with my friend and photography colleague, Ivano, we strive to diligently document the events we are able to attend. Luckily, there are a few sizable gatherings nationally that we have access to, one of those being the annual Arnold Chatz track day hosted in the Highveld of South Africa. Backed by the local Alfa Romeo dealership and a few of the Alfa Romeo clubs, it generally garners a good turnout and is highly anticipated.
The most recent event we attended coincided with an out-of-character August heat wave, seeing peak temperatures soar to over 35 degrees Celsius. The 2019 edition was hosted at Zwartkops Raceway, west of Pretoria. Upon entry on the Saturday morning, guests of the arena were greeted by the constant buzzing of 2 stroke go karts and impact drills being operated in auto workshops neighbouring the track. Automotive warehouses, team storage units and skid pans created an immersive atmosphere into this spectacle of the local automotive world. The track itself consists of large run-off areas and an intermediate layout, making it ideal for amateurs looking to hone their on-track ability. We were among the first drivers in the pits, in order to visually capture the calm before the storm. As some time went on, we noticed a few track-prepared cars trickling into the vicinity, on the back of trailers. There were some serious attendees with highly tuned cars capable of impressive power and lap times. While this event was an ideal way of displaying the prowess and agility of purpose built race cars, it is also a great platform for owners of daily drivers, like myself, to remind ourselves why we love the brand.
There were some serious attendees with highly tuned cars capable of impressive power and lap times. While this event was an ideal way of displaying the prowess and agility of purpose built race cars, it is also a great platform for owners of daily drivers, like myself, to remind ourselves why we love the brand.
Despite the sweltering, dry August day, dozens of Alfisti were in attendance to enjoy the highly anticipated event. With the pit garages brimmed by 9AM, a drivers’ briefing commenced and the track was officially opened shortly thereafter. Each car was categorised into heats with those of similar power and capability. It was a busy day for us, trying to capture moments while still enjoying some track time in our sessions. The open-air pit garages provided shelter for the cars after performing a stint of hotlaps on the scorching tarmac. It was also a shaded refuge for drivers to hydrate and admire some of the cars while sharing conversations with other owners. The private selection included classics from the local Trofeo series and some impeccably-maintained modern classics.
One such example was a pristine black 147 GTA, which immediately cast my memory back to that significant day of my childhood. The sonorous Busso tearing down the pit straight on the limiter was an added stimulant to my recollection. I felt a sense of elation in sharing the track with the same car responsible for my deep passion for the brand, despite it consistently vanishing ahead of me and into the distance.
It was pleasant to see modestly filled spectator stands and hospitality areas populated with inquisitive onlookers, keen to investigate the audible array of burbles and whines. Various performance variants of dealership demo vehicles were in full operation and ferried the influx of impressed guests and prospective customers around the track. This allowed them to experience the vibrance and sporty anatomy the cars had to offer, an ingredient that we know to be consistent throughout the marque.
Over the course of the day we bore witness to a multitude of different people coming together to appreciate the brand that they have such an affection and intrigue towards. While it may not be the most successful local automaker in recent years, there is still a strong cult following, with old and young die-hard supporters paying homage towards the illustrious marque. The fine examples of restored race cars from yesteryear are testament to the dominance the brand enjoyed in the decades prior. With 2020 being the year that Alfa Romeo have reinvigorated the GTA nameplate, one can only wonder whether it will be afforded the opportunity to prove itself on the racetrack as its GTA predecessors managed to do so well. We certainly hope to see it dominating on track, inspiring a similar passion in the generations to come.
Photo Gallery and Video by Ivano Mattiello and Alex Shahini of Slipstream Visuals
