Alfa GTV Sports Sedan

[Damian]

Admin,
While watching the sports sedan race on TRACK SIDE, I noticed your sponsorship on the Tony Ricciardello Alfa GTV 350 Chev. Is there a model of this car planned in the future or is it purley just a sponsorship deal?
Regards
Damian

[brchi17]

Damien,
I saw this too & though the same thing.
This must be one of the oldest race teams in sports sedans. I can remember seeing the Ricciardello Alfa racing around Australian tracks for longer than the past 10yrs. I wonder whether Tony is a second generation racer, as I'm sure he isn't that old.
The new colours (this year) is the best looking one they have had in reasent times.
cheers.

[Damian]

G,day Brchi17,
I don't think his that old. Maybe mid to late 20's. I could be wrong though. You maybe right about being a second generation racer.
Regards
Damian

[Damian]

Can anyone help with info on this?
Regards
Damian

[brchi17]

Dame,
Do you get AA ?
I remember reading something about him in it this week.
When I get home tonight I have a look for it & post what I find later in the evening.
cheers.

[GRPIII]

The AA article your talking about states
tony ricciardlo the young gun wrapped up his fourth sports sedan title.

[admin]

Tony is 23.
His father Basial bought the old Tony Edmonson Alfa years ago and raced it with great success.
They then built this new car from the ground up for Tony to drive.
As you rightly say, he has just won his 4th Australian title in the car. Not a bad achievement.
If you get a chance to watch him in this car, wow, talk about brave!!
We are all working together to get him into a different car for next year. He deserves it.

[Moffat Fan]

Hey Guys,

I just had a chat with Tony and he will be on this thread later today to answer some of your questions.

Having seen Tony’s car close up many times I can tell you its an great piece of machinery. As his Home State (WA) we get to see Tony and the car fairly regularly and it’s great to watch them in action.

By the way Tony’s car isn’t the only “local car� Biante sponsor, they also sponsor my HQ. Can't wait for that model to come out!!
;)

[Tony Ricciardello]

hey guys
This is Tony Ricciardello. im 23 years old and have been racing since 1998 at a national level.Ive won the Australian title in 98,99.01,02.

the Alfa Romeo was built in Adelaide by K&A engineering and is not the old Tony Edminson alfa. Since the car was built everything is diff. Chassis, engine brakes etc.

Any Questions you want answered , no probs


Catch ya lata

[SWRT]

Wow,a race car driver on this forum.
Tony,you raced at Bathurst 1998 with Tomas Mezera-How different is driving a V8 compared to your Alfa sports sedan?
Biante want to help you get a new race car-If a model is made of your current Alfa,25-40% of the sales can go towards buying a new race car?
Also are trying to get a drive in the 2003 V8 endurance races(Sandown and Bathurst 1000 and/or 24 hour).

[brchi17]

Tony,
your car looked like at had an absolute amout of grunt up & down the straights at Sandown, how do your times compare to the V8's ?
Also,
I saw the car at PI this year & it sounds great, what sort of top speed do you get out of this thing say on the approach to turn 1 at PI & heading towards the kink at Caltex Chase at Bathurst ?
Finally,
Admin mentioned that they were trying to help you into a new car next year, would that happen to be a Konica car ?
cheers.

[Damian]

Thanks for the information everyone. Much appreciated. A question for Tony when he gets the chance.
What type of tracks are best suited to your style of driving which would be flat out!!!. Is there an opportunity for you to race your car overseas and can we see you in either a V8 KONICA CAR or SUPERCAR in the future?
Regards
Damian

P.S. Thanks again (Is there going to be a model?)

[SWRT]

I heard on Trackside that the in Sandown 2001 sports sedans races that when it was all wet all the sports sedans were spinning everywhere...how tough was that to race through?

[Tony Ricciardello]

hi again, (ill try and answer all questions on 1 reply)

when you compare the alfa to a v8 supercar, they are completly differant to drive.the way you have to feed the power,the way you brakes and also drive through a corner. the alfas more like an open wheeler at times.

I have spoken to biante about a model alfa sportsedan but it just all comes down to costs.(like everything else in motorsport).but that would be a great idea if one was made, it could help support next years funding.

At sandown the times i done in the alfa was a 1.09.008 lap.the v8s got down to a 1.11 ????? i think but down the back straight at sandown we hit 296km/h. so shes on the limit. The highest speed we have done was 315km/h but we are limited depending on each track.

The alfa pretty much suits most tracks but is a little nervous through fast long sweeping bends because of the short wheel base but it seems to give you more of a buzz when you no your on the limit at 11/10ths and so close to getting unstuck. also driving the alfa in the wet is really exciting but you need to remember to drive at your limits in the wet and the times will come. also ive learnt to drive through my butt and that makes a big difference in the wet.

i have been talkin to a few teams for next year in konica and v8s but im just waiting for replys to confirm something so, ill have to see what happens and keep my fingers crossed.

i hope ive answered all your questions and if you need anymore answered im happy to,


cyas

[brchi17]

Thanks for the answers Tony,
Good luck for the search for a drive in 2003.
Sounds like the Alfa is a bit of a handful, so I would be guessing that it would be real tricky in the wet, considering the short wheel base & raw horsepower of the car.
cheers.

[Tony Ricciardello]

cheers mate.


have great xmas and new years and be safe.

seeya in 2003