For the second time Brands Hatch organized the Festival Italia featuring a multitude of italian cars, racing, demonstrations and a general celebretation of all things italian.
The prime sponsor of the Festival was Abarth UK. The participation included an auto test in the lower paddock and a customer experience of the current 500 and 124 Spiders on the Gran Prix loop.
The Classic Abarth group total of 29 cars with examples of Fiat 500,600,850 based models,Strada 130 TC, 131 Group 4. There were also three coachbuilt Abarth present, a Frances Lombardi 1000 a 1963 1000 Bialbero and an Abarth Simca 2mila.
It was great to see such a variad collection of Abarth cars, particullary 1000 Bialbero owned by the Maglone family.
(For more information about the history of this car refer to: http://fantasyjunction.com/cars/1226-Abarth-1000%20GT%20Duck%20Tail%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Bialbero-1000cc%20DOHC%20Inline%204%20Cyl )
The Festival also saw Paul Hocking back behind the wheel of its Abarth Simca following a long period of recovery from a motorcycle accident.
A special thanks goes Fabio Gementi who came all the way from Italy with his superb Group 4 131 Volumetrico towed behind his amazing Fiat liveried 131 Estate.
Everybody enjoyed the event and looks forward for an even bigger and better event in 2018.
Thanks go to Brands Hatch for organizing and Abarth UK sponsoring the event.
Above pictures by: Michael Ward (michaelward@auto-italia.net)
