Monza 500 Km - European Touring Cars Championship ETCC, March-20-1983
The opening round of the 1983 European Touring Championship (ETCC) in Monza saw after an exciting race climbing on the highest pitch of the podium Dieter Quester and Carlo Rossi with the BMW 635 CSI prepared by Schnitzer, which preceded only 3.5 seconds the Jaguar XJS-HE TWR by Tom Walkinshaw and Chuk Nicholson. At the finish line, the two cars arrived at a distance of no more than 200 meters after 500 kilometers of racing ended at over 160 km/h in average. Up to 10 laps from the end, the Walkinshaw/Nicholson's Jaguar XJS ran the race comfortably but as Nicholson was on the wheel, the engine bonnet began to open due to a retaining clip broken. Two pit stops were needed in which the crew tried to fix the bonnet with lots of adhesive tape and the car dropped back to fourth place behind three BMW 635. The Nicholson’s furious recovery in the last couple of laps needed only to regain his second position and to entertain the public (among which I was also). 39 Group A cars took the road of 500 km, divided into three classes. The victory in the class up to 2.5 liters went to Alfa Romeo GTV6 Imberti raced by Lella Lombardi and Giancarlo Naddeo, who despite the delay in preparation proved to be the strongest in his class. The class up to 1.6 liters was a Volkswagen deal that conquered all podium. According to estimates of the period, the event was attended by no less than 15,000.
BMW 365 CSi Gruppo A
Ten specimens at 500 Km of Monza, including an official BMW Motorsport car. With the exception of the latter, all cars were powered by the 285 hp Alpina engine.
The BMW 635 CSi chassis #RA2-01 (RA001) BMW Italia / Eggenberger Motorsport raced by Umberto Grano and Helmut Kelleners. Finished 6th.
Monza 500 Km 1983, BMW 635 CSi #RA1-10 Team Juma - Hans Heyer / Armin Hahne
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The BMW 635 CSi chassis #E24 RA1-10 by Juma Team raced by Hans Heyer and Armin Hahne, 3rd at the end.
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The BMW 635 CSi chassis #RA1/013 Team Schnitzer Eterna raced by Hans-Joachim Stuck and Walter Brun. They lost 4 minutes in the pit due to a steering arm failure finishing 5th.
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Monza 500 Km 1983, BMW 635 CSi #RA1-013 Schnitzer Eterna - Hans Joachim Stuck / Walter Brun
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Jaguar XJS TWR Gruppo A
The two cars present, heavy 1400Kg, mounted a V12 5.3-liter 385 hp. In Monza they proved to be the fastest, demonstrating undisputed superiority. Eventually, they lost the race to break a bonnet retaining clip after having dominated just a few miles from the end. The second car, that of Pierre Dieudonné and Enzo Calderari was stopped by an engine failure.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6
Altogether there were 8 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6s, of which 3 cars were prepared by Imberti and 2 by Luigi Cimarosti. The V6 engines were credited with 230CV. Despite being the fastest, it was not an easy race for Arese cars: they stopped all due to mechanical failures except two cars prepared by Imberti who finished first and fourth in class.
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 of Luigi Cimarosti Team. #46 raced by Giorgio Francia e Marco Micangeli
Monza 500 Km 1983, Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 Imberti - Lella Lombardi / Giancarlo Naddeo
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In the middle of Ascari chicane, the #35 Imberti Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 raced 1st in up of 2.5 liters class and 12th OA by Lella Lombardi and Giancarlo Naddeo.
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Volvo 240 Turbo
Despite the appearance, the two cars present were considered to be of high competitive level. The engine equipped with a Garrett turbine at a 1 bar pressure developed 200 hp. They were equipped with suspensions mounted on uniball joints and central locking nut for the wheels.
Monza 500 Km 1983, Volvo 240 Turbo - Ingemar Persson / Per Stureson
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This is the Volvo 240 Turbo #12 raced by the Sweede crew composed by Ingemar Persson and Per Stureson. They failed to finish.
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Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The only Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ever spectacular but relatively ineffective in the hands of the crew composed by Michel De Deyne and Marc Duez finished in 10th place.
Monza 500 Km 1983, Bruno Giacomelli / Thierry Boutsen
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Also present was Bruno Giacomelli who would have to race with Thierry Boutsen with the works BMW 635 CSi. The team had expected to run for qualify Boutsen on Saturday morning and Giacomelli on Saturday afternoon. During the Boutsen’s practice , due to an accident the car was damaged by a suspension and the mechanics could not repair it in time for Giacomelli’s stint. Result: Giacomelli was unable to take part to the race because he was not qualified and Boutsen had to run 500 km alone.
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Final ranking
Formula 2000
In the same weekend took place also the first round of the Formula 2000 Italian Championship which was won by Asteldo Crepaldi "Asteldo" with a Ralt RT1 Toyota Novamotor prepared by Menegol. "Asteldo" at the finish line preceded Montaldo driving a March 793 Toyota Novamotor and Soldy with a Dallara 381 Toyota Novamotor.
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