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A photo of stylist, illustrator Piero Stroppa at the "Retromobile Show in
Paris of 2006" |
This years Alfa Romeo Owners Club National Convention was held in Seattle Washington; actually Bellview Washington. It was a grand affair. The Hotel was an excellent choice as it was close to Seattle where many members went to enjoy the many activities it provides. An interesting feature of the hotel was the “underground” parking. It was a large garage, which was in a valley between the Hotel and the main street with the normal parking for guests on top. The front of the “garage” was all glass so it gave the effect of a large auto dealership. With over a hundred Alfa Romeos parked inside it gave the effect of the greatest Alfa Dealership ever, with every Alfa made from 1960 to the present. I say the present because; if you look closely at the associated pictures you’ll see the latest Alfa Spider, there were two, one showed up at the garage and the other at the Concours on Sunday.
Again we have to thank Bonnie Morrison from Jet Blue for providing two free tickets for the trip to Seattle club drawing. Vic and Gale Cerami who won the tickets had a great time at the Convention and extended their tip to visit friends in Oregon.
I’ve been a member of the National Board of Directors for two terms and this was the first time the BOD meeting ended on time. There was three important items; first, next years Convention will be in Tulsa Oklahoma. This should be an interesting Convention as they have permission from the City to have the AutoX on the Streets of Tulsa! The Oklahoma Chapter gave a very good presentation with movies. Did you know Tulsa is the Art Deco Center of the US? The Second point, and sobering, is that the National Board of Directors has to come up with new creative ideas to generate money for the Club. With dwindling membership because of a lack of new cars and a membership that is growing older the influx of cash isn’t there. The costs for Insurance to run all the Automotive events is a big drain on the budget along with the Alfa Owner neither of which we do not want to change. A raise in dues was and is not an option in the minds of the BOD. So dear friends YOU have to help us get new members or have old members who still participate and don’t pay dues to join up.
The Time Trials was at Pacific Raceway. One of if not the best drivers meeting was held early enough to give everyone time to get in their familiarization laps. Having so many drivers from other parts of the country NorthWest Alfa Romeo Owners Club provided track Instructors.
Instead of the usual track tour during lunch, for those of us who didn’t sign up for the Time Trials, NWAROC had a Vintage drive-by. Although I missed a chance to drive the track it was quickly forgotten getting to watch and hear: a 8C-2900 coupe, TT-33, 8C-2300, GTZ, at full song screaming down the straight and down shifting into the first turn, Fantastic.
I didn’t get to participate in the Rallye as I was driving a rental in the autocross, which was great fun, so I can’t comment.
The Concours on Sunday was in a wonderful location amongst the woods of a local College. So, click on the link below and check out all the pictures of our Beautiful Alfa’s.
But, before I let you go to the pictures, I need a favor. As you know I’ve instigated a contest for a new more patriotic LOGO for AROC-USA. Please vote! As the person who is counting I must tell you NYAROC isn’t sending in too many. FYI #2 and #3 were submitted by two of our members so if you like them or any of the others please vote, directions are in the Alfa Owner.
La Strada Comincia Qui
GT Linton
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