Alfa National Convention, July 8th-12th, Sign up NOW!

A National Convention of Alfa Romeo Owners Converges on Northern California in July

By Mary Ann Dickinson and Steve Davis

In the Sonoma Wine Country, the color red usually appears in the fall, when the vineyards that cover the hills start their slow decline to hibernation. But red comes a few months earlier in July, 2013. That’s because “Alfa California,” the Alfa Romeo Owners Club National Convention, will bring hundreds of shiny red Alfas (not to mention all the other colors) to the north San Francisco Bay Area. Other than driving in Italy itself, there is no more fun experience than driving an Alfa in sunny California. Not to mention networking with over 800 fellow Alfaholics from the US, Canada, and New Zealand — all in the same place at the same time.

Alfa California will be held from July 8th to the 12th. It is a Monday-through-Friday convention, open to all, which will feature a wide variety of interesting activities. Of special note are the track events at Sonoma Raceway, formerly known as Sears Point. It is one of only a few tracks that host Indycar, NASCAR, NHRA, AMA Superbike, and American LeMans events during the year, and it is a fast track that is a delight to drive. Its 2.5-mile course contains significant elevation changes and some very difficult corner combinations. The convention is hosting Time Trials and an Autocross, as well as a special 1-day track driving school hosted by Hooked-On Driving. Spaces are still available in all three events for those of you out there with a hankering for a little adrenaline, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. All marques are welcome, and the event fees are well below normal commercial prices.

We also expect some glorious examples of Alfa Romeo’s remarkable history to be shown at the Convention’s Concorso, to be held at the Fox Tail Golf Course right next to the convention headquarters hotel. Numerous pre-war classics will be in attendance, including an 8C-35 Tipo C, 8C-2300, Nardi-Danese 6C 2500, 6C 2500 Mille Miglia recreation, 8C 2900 Phaeton, and numerous others. At this writing it looks likely that we will have a span of 100 years of automotive history on display at this wonderful event. Even a 1982 F1 race car will be there to round out the older racing offerings. The Concorso will include judged and non-judged classes; the current count is over 150 cars that will be on display.

This convention also includes other activities that Alfisti typically love: A competitive Time-Speed-Distance Rally, a “Gimmick” Rally, and numerous driving tours through winding countryside. The usual networking and partying will also take place in the convention headquarters, the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park.

A special treat will be a banquet featuring Denise McCluggage as the keynote speaker. Denise is well-known to Veloce Today readers as a Journalist, Author, Competitor, and Alfa Owner. Her career has put her on the track with Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, and Phil Hill. With her unmatchable wit and clear gift for storytelling, we expect an evening to remember.

July in the Sonoma Valley is warm, sunny, and beautiful. Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean? About 35 minutes away. A few hours north are the California Redwoods. Napa is just on the other side of the hills – with some incredible Alfa-roads running through them. And, of course, there is San Francisco – truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A fitting location to celebrate the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States.

For more information on the AlfaCalifornia2013 convention, visit www.alfacalifornia2013.com or email registration@alfacalifornia2013.com . All participants are welcome. Registration closes July 1, 2013.