Alfa owners throw a party for iconic brand

Alfa Romeo turns 100 on June 24, and the Capital Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC) is celebrating the famed Milanese maker's centennial with a weeklong series of festivities called “Alfa Century 2010.”

Centennial celebrations take place June 21-27 in numerous locations throughout the world including in Milan, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and during the Monterey weekend. But the Washington, D.C.-based AROC Capital Chapter's birthday bash represents the largest Alfa-exclusive commemoration in the United States.

Chapter president Harlan Hadley said he expects a terrific turnout of Alfa Romeos from all eras of “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” (A.L.F.A.) history.

“The response to the event has been great,” Hadley says. “One of our goals is to help people who have modern Spiders and GTVs understand why Alfa is loved so universally. We want them to see the lineage.”

That lineage hit the road on June 21, with a Targa Florio Tribute Tour which began at the impressive Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. A special tour of the museum, featuring the foundation's six prewar Alfas, was to be given by founder Dr. Fred Simeone. Then, Targa Tour participants were to convoy 50 minutes south to the facilities of well-known Alfa restorer David George, proprietor of David George Historic Motorcars. From there, they'll head to picturesque Frederick, Md., the headquarters site for Alfa Century 2010.

The celebration officially gets under way on June 23, with national AROC meetings and the arrival of event attendees. But the ball really gets rolling on June 24 with Time Trials and parade laps at nearby Summit Point Motorsports Park (www.summitpoint-raceway.com) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An exhibition/rapid run of vintage Alfa racing machines follows from 4 to 5 p.m. A welcome reception and birthday celebration take place at 8 p.m. at the convention hotel in Frederick, with attendees including representatives from the Italian Embassy.

June 25 kicks off with an autocross event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick. In addition, there will be a TSD rally, an AROC town-hall meeting and a swap meet and cookout. In the evening, a tour of Washington, D.C., monuments will be hosted for participants.

June 26 will feature the highlight of the celebrations--the Christy Craig Alfa Romeo Concorso at Stone Manor Country Club in Frederick. Hundreds of Alfas will be on hand (judged and nonjudged) on the gracious lawns of the club, from the oldest example in the country--a fabulous 1925 RL Super Sport--to the latest 8C Competiziones. Seminars and an Alfa-centered art exhibition will accompany the concours. The festivities conclude on June 27 with an awards brunch.

For more information on the events, visit the Capital Chapter AROC Web site at www.alfaromeonews.com.

By Jan Tegler