Previously, VeloceToday has covered only the major Italian car events on a regular basis, they being Le Belle Macchina in the Poconos and Concorso Italiano at Monterey. But over the past four years, we have been besieged with requests from other events throughout the U.S. (and some from Europe) to provide publicity about their Italian Car Days.

Given the recent growth in such events, however, we are going to make adjustments to this policy. Please note that as in the past, VeloceToday will consider both pre- and post-event publicity to be news and worthy of a short feature. Such articles will be editorial, not commercial, in content.

The impressive Gaylord Texan Resort on the shores of Lake Grapevine.

ItalianCarFest, Texas Style

There is no doubt that U.S. events which feature Italian cars and bikes (in contrast with one marque events such as Ferrari Nationals, Cavallino, etc.) are increasing both in number and size. In addition to the legendary Concorso Italiano there is Le Belle Macchina, the Atlanta Italian Car Day in Georgia, a “Wheels of Italy” event in Minneapolis, and a new venue in Arizona, will be held for the first time in 2007.

In addition, for the last three years, the Grapevine ItalianCarFest Weekend(ICF) held outside of Dallas has grown in size and stature, Texas style. And that means LARGE.

The little club that could

Like Concorso, it had modest beginnings. In fact, The club started as the Fiat Club of North Texas, but because of the broad appeal of club activities such as ItalianCarFest Weekend, the membership was opened to owners of all Italian makes. Now named The Italian Car Club of the Southwest, it is a non-profit organization with 70 active members.

But back in 2003, when the club was only a year old, the members elected to start an exclusive all-Italian car show. Jerry Lee Phillips, then and current president, remembers that the spark began with the question: If you could go to the ideal car show, what would it be like? “After defining that, we then we set up a 5 year plan that detailed the means to build ItalianCarFest into a full weekend of uncompromised prestige.”

Gaylord Mission Plaza, reception area for the ICF Weekend.

Uncompromising prestige. A big order, even in Texas. Surprisingly, the ex-Fiat club was up to the challenge although it didn’t happen right away. According to Phillips, “we started with 75 cars in 2003, and a crowd of 2500. “This year the event will host 200 vehicles and a crowd of 12,000. Each year the venue has gained in popularity and strength. Going into the fourth year of that five year plan the ICF already hosts the event on the shores of Lake Grapevine, while the magnificent Gaylord Texan Resort hosts many of the weekend’s events, dinners and receptions.

Class, elegance and prestige

The Saturday show will be held at a spectacular new lakeside setting in Oak Grove Park on Lake Grapevine. Vehicles will be displayed on 3 acres of manicured grounds.

Lonestar Lady

Adding to the prestige and the uniqueness of the event, the ICF offers a private, floating hospitality lounge in the guise of the cruise boat, Lonestar Lady. Docked with a panoramic view of the show field, the boat offers complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks underneath a covered deck.

Nearby, the Texas Motor Speedway.

On Sunday, the ICF makes good use of the nearby Texas Motor Speedway. This will be an exceptional day on the Le Mans Road Course and includes four 30-minute driving sessions with instruction and critiques, access to a private clubhouse throughout the day for drivers and their guests, driver’s lunch, a special covered area adjacent to the track and other extras, all for $150.

So that’s the event as planned this year. Throw in special guests like Tom Tjaarda,a myriad of food and entertainment, dozens of award categories and presentations, cocktail hours, dinners, and car tours, and you’ve got a very big event to manage. The seventy-odd Italian Car Club members have to be a group of hard workers. “The club has an exceptional gifted and energetic set of officers,” said Phillips. “The 'ItalianCarFest Weekend' Committee has 8 members who devote unlimited time to make our three day extravaganza possible.”

Driving fast is what it's all about, and ICF entrants can do that to their heart's content.

An event with a difference

In addition to the 'uncompromising prestige', there are three significant elements that differentiate the ICF event in Texas from most other Italian car events, and they play an important key in the growth and continued success of the ICF.

One: Forget the money

These events bring in a huge amount of money, as other event organizers will attest to. This year the budget for the September ICF event reached $100,000 with twenty two sponsors. What the ICF/ICC does with those growing dollars is unusual. They donate their entire treasury to various charities. “Last year our club gave thousands to the Katrina-Rita Relief Fund,” said Phillips. “And let me be absolutely clear: Not one person associated with organizing ItalianCarFest Weekend makes any money from it. We organize ICF Weekend because we want to promote the appreciation of our favorite cars and we enjoy hanging out with car and cycle people.” This is not your usual car club.

Last year's event successfully brought together owners of Taraschis and....

Two: Encourage a common goal

From Ferraris to Fiats, Abarths to Lamborghinis, Italian car enthusiasts are a pretty disparate bunch, without even considering the bike gangs, where it might be a bit difficult to get the owner of an MV Agusta America to discuss politics with a Harley Aermacchi rider. But Phillips found that people in the Southwest were very enthusiastic about cars in general and Italian cars specifically. And Italian motorcycles and scooters have a huge following. Clubs have jumped onboard and want to help. For example, the Pantera Club of North Texas was instrumental in asking Tjaarda to come this year as the main guest.

Ferrai F50s...

But the ICF organizers are also active at getting out and working with the various clubs and have been reaching out to clubs outside the immediate area whether it’s visiting with the local chapter of the FCA at brunch gatherings, dining with the Pantera group or flying to the Bay Area to schmooze South Texas Fiat enthusiasts. “We attended and helped recruit participants in AROC’s Alfa Deco (national convention) in Tulsa, and we encourage everyone to join a club. Preferably ours, but if not, another. For example, the stronger the Ducati club is, the better. It helps all of us involved in the hobby. There is absolutely no down side. Membership should not be ‘either or’. It should be ‘and’.”

Lambos and..

Three: Engage the community

“Knowing that you are involved in having fun and contributing something real to the community, that's what it is all about, as far as we are concerned. That's what our membership is really after and they respond,” said Phillips. “The reaction from local business is terrific. And that's mirrored by the support we get from the City of Grapevine. The city has generously assisted with services and a grant.” Grapevine, close to the Dallas area, was ripe for being the regular host of a major weekend for car enthusiasts. The national Viper convention and Honda Gold Wing conventions have been held in Grapevine in the past 3 years. The Great Race made an overnight stop there last year. Texas Motor Speedway is nearby, and one of our local Gold Sponsors, the half billion (with a ‘b’) dollar Gaylord Texan Resort, is a facility that is second to none.

Of course success of this formula depends not on the self perpetuating motivation of money, but on the presence and dedication of a few hard working and selfless volunteers. Will it set an example for the future of other such events? Perhaps. Stay tuned.

F40s.