There are a few iconic motorsport liveries that are instantly recognisable. Lancia with Martini, Toyota with Castrol and Porsche with Gulf. In the golden era of touring car racing, there was also Alfa Romeo and its indomitable 155 wearing not one iconic livery, but three!
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From 1992 to 2007, Alfa Romeo dominated the touring car scene, achieving remarkable success with the 155 and later with the 156 models. During this period, the automaker secured multiple championship titles across Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain, carving out a legendary chapter in motorsport history. To commemorate this on track pedigree and success, Alfa Romeo Museum revisited this era with a special Backstage lecture on Sunday, April 21, offering a comprehensive retrospective of the brand’s illustrious run in touring car racing. The event also featured notable figures from the world of motorsport, including drivers Fabrizio Giovanardi, Giorgio Francia, Gabriele Tarquini, and Monica Bregoli, along with designers, technicians, and team members who played crucial roles in Alfa Romeo’s success.
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This era of dominance began under the leadership of Giorgio Pianta and later continued with the Nordauto/N-Technology team, led by Sergio Limone. Limone, a motorsport legend known for his success with Lancia, helped transform Alfa Romeo into a powerhouse in closed-wheel racing, starting with the 155 GTA. The early victories came with Nicola Larini’s triumph in the 1992 Italian Superturismo Championship, followed by the 1993 DTM championship in the 155 V6 TI, a win that shocked the German racing scene.
The firm’s touring car success continued with the 1994 British Touring Car Championship and other victories worldwide. In 1998, the 156 took over, winning 13 championships during a decade-long career. The final race in 2007, featuring the 156, marked the end of an era, yet another victory even after the model had ceased production.
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The Backstage lecture, hosted by the Alfa Romeo Museum curator Lorenzo Ardizio, was also accompanied by Sergio Remondino; historian at Autosprint, who co-authored the book Alfa Romeo 155 e 156: DTM, Superturismo e Super 2000.
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More information and recordings on the firm’s long and storied history are available on the @MuseoAlfaRomeoOfficial YouTube channel as well as the Museum’s website: www.museoalfaromeo.com.
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