The Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC) will honor the Italian marque’s centennial at its annual convention, held June 23-27, 2001 in Frederick Maryland, with events in Washington, D.C. and throughout the Capital region. The Capital Chapter of the AROC will host this year’s events, named Alfa Century 2010; the official centennial date of June 24, 2010 will be marked at events in Milan, Italy, and around the world.
With an expected attendance of more than 1,000 Alfa Romeo enthusiasts and their families and friends, numerous exciting events are planned.There will be a full day of track events, featuring laps by some of Alfa Romeo’s most historic pre-war and post-war racing cars, to be held at nearby Summit Point Motor Sports Park in Summit Point, West Virginia, on June 24. Other events will include an autocross competition, a gimmick rally, a time-speed-distance (TSD) rally, several bus and driving tours to Washington, D.C., Civil War battlefields and other historic sites, and receptions, dinners, technical seminars and meetings.
A free “Concorso” car show – open to the public – will be held on Saturday morning, June 26 at the Stone Manor County Club in Middletown, Maryland. Significant multi-million dollar pre and early post-war historic Alfa Romeo sports and racing cars will be on display, along with newer Alfas, many locally owned. Also to be seen and heard, will be the new 8C Competizione, as well as several hundred other Alfa Romeos. This display comes at an exciting time for American Alfa enthusiasts; the marque, which left the U.S. market in 1995, is rumored to be planning a return following Chrysler’s partnership with Alfa’s parent company, Fiat.
“Alfa Romeo has a history of producing cars that set world standards for design and performance,” says Brewster Thackeray of Arlington, Virginia, President of the national Alfa Romeo Owners Club. “For all their exotic heritage, many 1970s to 1990s Alfa Romeo models remain very affordable on the market. Local enthusiasts who belong to AROC’s Capital Chapter will vouch that there are few hobbyist cars that provide more driving excitement and Club comaraderie for the money.”
Harlan Hadley, President of the Capital Chapter of AROC and chairman of the Concorso, notes that “Historic Frederick was selected as the Convention location because the surrounding countryside offers some of the best driving roads anywhere, Frederick boasts great accommodations and restaurants, and the location provides easy access to Summit Point. With its proximity to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, and rich history, the area also offers so much to see and do for our vacationing members,” noted Hadley.
Planners are actively seeking examples of early Alfa Romeos for display and for track demonstrations. Owners of historic Alfa Romeos are invited to contact Alex Csank, Convention Chairman, at [email protected] or (757) 636-9513.
For more information about Alfa Century 2010, visit www.alfaromeonews.com.
[Source: Alfa Romeo Owners Club; photo credit: Dennis Gray]
This should be a fantastic event for Alfistas. Alex and company have put in a lot of work to ensure there is something for everyone.