The 'Little Giant' Abarth Returns to Official Racing for the First Time Globally | Abarth

Abarth 695 Assetto Corse

The "Little Giant" Abarth Returns to Official Racing for the First Time Globally

The "Museo Cinquecento Racing Team," fielding the race-exclusive "Abarth 695 Assetto Corse" based on the "Abarth 500," will compete in all six rounds of Japan's Super Taikyu series. The opening round took place on April 20-21 at Sportsland SUGO, marking the start of a new racing culture for Abarth.

Text by TAKEDA Hiromi

Drivers for Car No. 2 Recruited Through Public Application

At the "Tokyo Auto Salon 2013" held this January,Fiat Chrysler Japan "Abarth" Boothit was announced that the "Museo Cinquecento Racing Team" (abbreviated as "mCrt"), fielding the "Abarth 695 Assetto Corse" this season, would participate in all six rounds of the "Super Taikyu" (commonly known as S-Taï) series in Japan.

The Museo Cinquecento Racing Team (mCrt) is based at the "Cinquecento Museum," an automotive museum located in Minamichita-gun, Aichi Prefecture. Mr. Seiro Ito, the museum's representative, serves as the team owner and production manager. The drivers are Mr. Hideo Fukuyama, who also acts as team director, Mr. Yasutaka Hiimai, and Mr. Kenhiro Omomoji. Furthermore, Fiat Chrysler Japan's official driving school, "Abarth Driving Fun School," organized to foster safe driving skills and allow participants to experience the potential of Abarth cars, will also support the team.

The Abarth 695 Assetto Corse, designated as the racing machine, has previously been used exclusively in the "Trofeo Abarth Selenia" one-make series in Europe, including Italy, to nurture next-generation drivers. Therefore, this Super Taikyu challenge is likely the brand's first official race participation since its revival globally.

ABARTH 695 ASETTO CORSE | Abarth 695 Assetto Corse 07

ABARTH 695 ASETTO CORSE | Abarth 695 Assetto Corse 03

In this season's Super Taikyu, the car will enter the "ST4" class (for vehicles between 1500cc and 2000cc) as a specially permitted vehicle. However, due to the Abarth 500/695 Assetto Corse's inherent nature as a full-fledged racing machine, it will face formidable competitors like the "Toyota 86," which is also entering S-Taï this season, with minimal modifications including 16-inch wheels to fit the spec Yokohama tires, air jacks, and an enlarged fuel tank for endurance racing.

Additionally, the team is pursuing an ambitious project to support drivers eager to start their professional racing careers more easily. For the 2013 season, mCrt is considering a two-car effort, fielding not only the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse as Car No. 1, but also another car, an "Abarth 500 Assetto Corse."

This second car will be part of a "Gentleman Driver Support Program," an adaptation of Abarth's driver support program in Italy tailored for the Japanese racing scene. Participating drivers will receive full support, covering everything from machine maintenance and consumables to race support. They will also receive instruction from drivers like Mr. Fukuyama, who races Car No. 1. The drivers for this car will be selected through public recruitment, with participants contributing a portion of the car's racing expenses.

A test drive event for 11 potential drivers for Car No. 2 was held at Fuji Speedway on January 19th. Applications for drivers for Car No. 2 will continue to be accepted on an ongoing basis. mCrt warmly welcomes applications from OPENERS readers who "have confidence in their driving skills."

Furthermore, numerous other initiatives are planned to allow fans to support Abarth and the team, such as the "mCrt Partnership," where members can join the team in the paddock and receive radios for team communication, and the "mCrt Supporters Club," which offers priority access to paddock passes.

ABARTH 695 ASETTO CORSE | Abarth 695 Assetto Corse 02

This season's schedule includes the opening round at "Sportsland SUGO" (April 20-21), followed by Round 3 at "Twin Ring Motegi" (July 20-21), Round 4 at "Fuji Speedway" (August 10-11), Round 5 at "Okayama International Circuit" (August 31-September 1), Round 6 at "Suzuka Circuit" (September 21-22), and Round 7 at "Autopolis" (November 9-10).

It is highly significant, from a global perspective, that Abarth's new racing culture is being launched from Japan, a country with a strong Abarth following since its golden era in the 1960s. Continued attention is warranted for Abarth and the "Museo Cinquecento Racing Team."

Museo Cinquecento Racing Team
Tel. 052-871-6464
http://mcrt.jp

Super Taikyu
http://www.supertaikyu.com/