MOTORSPORT NEWS ARCHIVE
156 GTA shines at Bathurst 24hr
The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA entered by privateer team GTA Motorsport
enjoyed an almost fairytale debut at Mount Panorama in the 2003 Bathurst
24-Hour.
"The 156 GTA delivered a mechanically faultless performance,
only cut short by an unfortunate crash after 19½ hours" said
team owner and driver, Andrew Leithhead. At the time the 156 GTA was placed
18th outright in a field of 45 cars and while 2nd at the time was making
good ground towards winning the Production Car class.
Planning for this year's event began early in 2003, and
the metallic grey 156 GTA was purchased from Ateco Automotive in late
May. Leithhead's objective, with race engineer Nigel Bolling, was always
to compete in the Production Car class at the 2003 Bathurst 24-Hour, and
the 156 GTA was selected as a production car that could be expected to
be reliable as well as fast and flexible. Modifications are very limited,
largely restricted to the necessary safety equipment, brake-pad material
and minor changes to suspension settings. The class rules require a "control"
road-legal tyre be used, of equivalent size to the manufacturer's standard
equipment, and a transmission oil cooler was also permitted for the 24-Hour
race.
The car competed in the last three rounds of the 2003 Australian
Production Car championship, at Oran Park, Phillip Island and Winton,
as part of the development and learning program building up to Bathurst.
While none of the race results were spectacular, the car was extremely
reliable and knowledge gained in the sprint races was invaluable in preparing
for the 24-Hour test of endurance.
The actual race week at Mt Panorama was almost uneventful.
Even torrential rain during one qualifying session and twice during the
race was unable to fluster the team, or question the car's reliability
and sure-footedness. The race plan was to adopt a slightly conservative
strategy by not seeking to race the car too aggressively in the early
stages and then increase the pace later in the twice 'round-the-clock'
event. Pit stops were scheduled every 90 minutes to re-fuel the car, with
a driver change at every second pit-stop. Brake-pads were expected to
be replaced once during the race, and tyres would be changed as required
to suit the conditions.
The rolling start at 2:00pm on Saturday was tense for everyone,
but it did not take long to settle into a rhythm. The team anxiously wondered
whether all the planning and preparation would pay off, or if a completely
unanticipated problem or component failure would end the race early. As
it happened, there was no cause for concern, and the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
performed without missing a beat for any reason. While other competitors
had to dramatically change their plans due to mechanical failure, heavy
rain or lack of car-speed, the GTA Motorsport team simply executed the
plan. Scheduled pit-stops came and went without problem, drivers swapped
as expected and the brake-pad change was completed at about 3.30am on
Sunday, well beyond the half-way mark of the race.
The car's fastest race-lap (2min 48.2610secs) was set early
on Sunday morning with Peter Doulman at the wheel. The early conservatism
had paid off, and the pace could now be lifted. All of the drivers had
completed one three-hour session, while Andrew Leithhead had completed
his second session during the small hours of Sunday morning and Doulman
was coming to the end of his driving duty. With only six hours to go the
car was not only on schedule and climbing the leader board, but sounding
even stronger as the event wore on.
Unfortunately motorsport is unpredictable and perhaps a
little unjust. At about 09.30 on Sunday, just after another refuelling
stop, the car crashed on the way up the Mountain. Fortunately no-one was
hurt, but the car was too badly damaged to repair in the short time remaining
in the race.
The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA had performed remarkably, especially
as it is as close to "showroom stock" as could be raced safely.
Some interesting facts:
*the car completed 353 laps of the testing Mount Panorama circuit, covering
2,188kms - more than twice the distance of the annual V8 Supercar race
held at Bathurst!
*during that time the 156 GTA required only fuel and a change of brake-pads;
perhaps the "weakest link" was the human component, as drivers
were changed 6 times in the same period.
*the Alfa Romeo did not consume a drop of engine or transmission oil,
and that extra transmission cooler seemed unnecessary, as gearbox temperature
barely moved for the entire race
*tyre wear was remarkably low and even though 3 sets of new tyres were
fitted during the race, all of those tyres will be used again at future
race meetings, and all have sufficient tread depth remaining to still
be road legal.
*the fastest lap was set at an average speed of almost 133km/h, and maximum
speed at the end of Conrod Straight was approaching 240km/h.
*at the time of the crash the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA was placed 18th outright,
having started 42nd, and was running 2nd in the Production class.
The team is comprised of motorsport enthusiasts, most of
whom are also long-term Alfa Romeo owners. All four drivers - Andrew Leithhead,
Peter Doulman, Keith Downie and Kean Booker - have enjoyed a long association
with the marque and the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club of Australia, as well
as having substantial experience in the Australian racing scene. The support
team and pit crew have a diverse background, from enthusiastic novices
to experienced race engineers and professional Alfa Romeo mechanics, but
all shared a tremendous experience with a sensational motor car.
07/12/03
