AN ALFA Romeo racing car that achieved a podium finish at the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix is set to be a star attraction at the Jersey International Motoring Festival, which opens today and will run until Sunday.
More than four decades after being driven to third place in Monte Carlo by Italian Formula One driver Andrea De Cesaris, an Alfa Romeo 182 car will run down Victoria Avenue over the next two evenings.
The F1 car was a late addition to an already exciting line-up for the event, sponsored by Rubis Channel Islands. Marketing co-ordinator Alex Salmon said it had added an extra buzz of anticipation in the build-up to the festival.
He said: ‘The Alfa 182 has a three-litre V12 engine and will definitely be one to look – and listen – out for.
‘Seeing a car like this will hark back to the International Road Race when it was staged here back in the day, but it will also act as a great “headline act” to promote the festival in 2023.’
The first glimpse of the Alfa 182 will be on offer at around 9pm tonight when it forms part of the Rolling Roadshow, featuring vehicles from local marque clubs and others from motorsport, that will take place on Victoria Avenue between 7pm and 11pm.
The festival will also mark the 100th anniversary of Le Mans, with another star attraction being the Emka Aston Martin C83 Group C Le Mans car that took part in the 24-hour race in 1983.
Other highlights of the event include:
– The Classic Vintage & Modern Racing Club of Jersey sprint on Victoria Avenue from 7pm on Friday, with the Alfa 182 running along the course to start the event and a range of food and drink stalls on the lower park.
– The Westmount Hill Climb on Saturday between 10am and 5pm.
– On both Saturday and Sunday there will be static displays in the People’s Park between 9.30am and 6pm, along with trade stands, food and drink outlets, and a kids’ zone in the Lower Park.
– Other important anniversaries will be 75 years since the first Porsche sports car was manufactured and 60 years of the iconic Porsche 911, with members of the Jersey chapter of Porsche Club GB bringing out their vehicles to add to the spectacle.
Islanders are advised to be mindful of road closures that will be in force during the event, with full details available at jimf.je.
