This 280 hp Alfa Romeo 4C beats 600 hp cars in the United States… its driver is named Leclerc

In the American Time Attack scene, the top-performing cars are generally Corvettes, Porsche 911 GT3s, Camaros, BMWs, Nissan SilviAs, or heavily modified Honda Civics. High-displacement engines and Japanese engines lend themselves well to power boosts from large turbos. However, for several seasons now, a much rarer Italian sports car has been regularly shaking up the rankings: a Alfa Romeo 4C driven by American Anthony Leclerc.

Without the budgets of the major teams or a car producing 600 or 800 chevaux, Anthony Leclerc—who, of course, is not related to Charles—has become one of the leading experts in the sport in the United States thanks to his particularly clever modifications to his Alfa Romeo 4C.

He competes in the major American Time Attack events, including those organized by the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), Gridlife, and the NATA (North American Time Attack Championship). 

According to his own account, he bought his used Alfa Romeo 4C in 2017 before competing in his first Time Trials in 2018. From the very beginning, his goal was clear: to gradually develop the car without sacrificing its reliability. Unlike many competitors who completely rebuild their vehicles, Anthony Leclerc prioritizes balance, reduced weight, consistency, and reliability over the pursuit of absolute power.

The 1750 TBi engine is known for experiencing increased intake temperatures during heavy use. It can’t really reach the power levels typical of Time Attack without sacrificing reliability. The goal, therefore, is to achieve an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and highly agile handling—two essential qualities for technical circuits. Anthony Leclerc’s Alfa Romeo 4C remains relatively true to the original design philosophy.

Modifications

The first modification involves the suspension. The car is equipped with Nitron threaded shock absorbers, renowned in the world of motorsports for their precision tuning. The suspension geometry has been adjusted to provide greater camber and a lower ride height.

To maintain consistent performance, the car is equipped with a larger intercooler, an optimized cooling system, and improved airflow management.

Unlike some American builds that far exceed 400 chevaux, Anthony Leclerc has kept the engine relatively close to stock. Known modifications include new engine mapping, a high-flow downpipe with a sport catalytic converter, an optimized intake system, and a more efficient intercooler. Experts estimate that the actual power output is likely between 280 and 310 chevaux, a level that remains very reasonable for preserving the reliability of the four-cylinder engine. Alfa Romeo which delivers 240 chevaux as standard.

The most dramatic change is in the aerodynamics. The car is equipped with a large Gale Motorsports (GMS) carbon-fiber rear wing, a carbon-fiber engine hood, a more developed front splitter, and various components designed to improve downforce. Anthony Leclerc uses special tires—200 TW-certified Vitour Tempesta P1s—which are very popular in the NATA championship thanks to their excellent balance of grip and durability.

The Results

The Alfa Romeo 4C demonstrates its design qualities and holds its own against cars that are often more powerful. For example, at Road America in 2024, Leclerc finished 13th out of 59 competitors across all classes. He posted a lap time that placed him between a 2021 Ford Mustang and a 2017 Ford Mustang—and even ahead of a few Chevrolet Corvettes.

After a few top finishes, the 2024 season marked a real turning point. Right from the first round of the NATA championship, held at Road America, Anthony Leclerc won the “Small Tire 200TW” class. During the season finale at NCM Motorsports Park, a fault code related to an exhaust leak upstream of the turbocharger appeared early in the weekend. Unable to easily access the affected area, Anthony chose to pull the car over to prevent any mechanical failure. Despite this incident, the points he accumulated throughout the season allowed him to clinch the 2024 NATA championship title in the Small Tire 200TW class.

Up against cars that are often twice as powerful, his Alfa Romeo makes up for it with very late braking, precise handling, and cornering that reminds you just how much the 4C’s chassis was built for competition.