Spain could be the next European country to have its own "Silhouette Touring Car Series"! An Alfa Romeo "Prototype" of the "Maxi-Touring Car" has been tested by ex-Spanish Touring Car Champion Louis Villamil (see photo). Organizers hope that the demonstration of the Alfa will help pique the interest of other manufacturers such as SEAT, Opel, Audi, and BMW and attract them into participating in the series.

A prototype of the Alfa Romeo "Maxi-Touring Car" being tested by ex-Spanish Touring Car Champion Louis Villamil

Four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty moved a step closer recently to switching his career path to Touring Cars when he tested a "BTC Production Class" Alfa Romeo 156 at Donnington Park recently. Britain’s bike racing superstar, who recently retired from the two-wheel sport because of a shoulder injury, is known to be very interested in racing in the British Touring car Championship Series.

"It’s one of the options I’ve got," said the 34-year-old Fogarty after his trial run, "but I’ll only enjoy it if I can do it properly with a chance of winning." Fogarty tested the JS Motorsport team’s Alfa 156 to determine whether he would be competitive. He is reported to have lapped quicker than the benchmark time set by regular team driver Danny Wright. Despite his excellent showing, he (Fogarty) does not yet feel he knows the answer. "You can’t learn a whole lot in half a day," he said, "so I’ll do a few more tests; then I’ll make a decision."

The BTCC’s 2001 calendar will definitely include two night races and a trip across the water to Mondello Park in Ireland. The new schedule was one of a number of BTCC facets confirmed by TOCA Tour Director Richard West on Friday. Also on his bill of changes is reduction in the amount of testing allowed, confirmation that the Formula Renault, Lotus Elise and Renault Clio series will be the BTCC’s only regular support races, and a strong indication that the rear-wheel-drive Lexus will be eligible to run in 2001.

The race at Mondello Park will be held on June 16-17, while the night races will be at Silverstone (June 1-2) and Snetterton (August 3-4).

Alfa Romeo British touring car Championship team JS Motorsports is pressing on with plans to run up to four BTC Touring Class Alfa 147s for the 2001 season. John Shields’s team has split from Italian specialist Nordauto, which had until recently been expected to build the 147s. The shells will now be prepared at rollcage firm Safety Devices and the motors will be done up by Swindon Racing Engines.