CENTRAL & SECTION NEWSLETTER Spring Alfa Day War Museum, Duxford Sunday 17 th April

Spring Alfa Day returns to the superb facilities at Duxford for the first time since 2005. The museum houses a sensational collection of aircraft it special display theatres, and has some fascinating hangars full of planes being John G on track at Rockingham back in ’07 restored and fettled too that you can get really close too. Also on site is an excellent display of tanks and military vehicles. ROCKINGHAM SPRINT The club’s Alfas will have a special dedicated parking area, but do get there early as late comers will have to th of license on the day (£10!), even hire a crash go in the general parking area. SUNDAY 27 MARCH helmet for a tenner - no race suit required. Admission £9.50 in advance (under 15s Here’s a great opportunity for you to wash If you just fancy popping over to watch, free) through AROC (see February’s the salt off your Alfa and get along to see some Rockingham Raceway, near Corby, is a fantastic Magazine), or £10.95 on the day. Alfas in action on track - or even take part venue and admission is just £5. (Under 16s yourself! free, but not allowed in the pitlane/paddock). CONVOY RUN We had originally planned a visit to the You can park behind the main grandstand and Coventry Transport Museum at this time, access the infield paddock area via the under- We will meet up at the A14 Services at however, the council is digging up the smart track tunnel, then even watch the action from Rothwell near Kettering - just past Millennium Place area where we were going to the pit lane garage roof that gives a great view. Junction 4 heading east - at 8am ready 8.30 display our cars in order to install a giant TV. Things start from around 10am and there are to depart by . This should get us That will not be finished for many weeks, so we other types of cars in action too - notably the there in good time for a very enjoyable have postponed that one for a later date tba. utterly bonkers turbocharged Toyotas. day. See you there!!

Meantime, the AROC Sprint Series took off Well, if you are reading a printed version of (Below: AROC at Duxford in 2005) last year and has a longer list of entries for this. Alfisti (it’s also now available on our Section The format comprises of drivers running a set website of course), that’s now all thanks to a number of timed laps, similar to the way in couple of things. Firstly, Dave Atkins’ brother- which a super pole/special stage rally is run. in-law Chris Cheal who has arranged printing via The classes and regulations are structured to his company at a very competitive price - then encourage standard road cars (classic or Paul Jones and our friends at Chris Variava Alfa modern) into the event, as there is no roll cage, Romeo Nottingham for paying for it! You’ll race seat or fixed fire extinguisher requirement notice the insert from ‘CV’s’ of course which we for those classes. Allowances have been made hope you’ll find interesting too. so that heavily modified or race prepared cars We are very lucky in having such supportive can also be entered. All the details for dealerships in our region. If you are looking for competitors can be found at www.aroc-uk.com/ an Alfa, new or used, don’t be afraid to go to /sprint-cup.htm - or contact me for your local one - be it Chris Variava, Sturgess, or more. It’s not complex, any road-going Alfa can Beechdale, or more distant at Motorvogue, find a home, and you can buy the required level Guest’s or Platt’s - as they are always pleased

to see Alfa enthusiasts like us. Don’t forget to tell them you’re an AROC member of course! Alfisti is edited and produced by Inside this edition: You’ll see that quite a lot of things have John Griffiths changed in our event calendar since the last AROC Central & East Midlands  New Year Meal issue, so please keep a close eye on our local Section Secretary  Skittles Contest website to get the very latest. That giant Coventry TV screen being a perfect example of Tel: 0774 8881317  MiTo Sprint Limited Edition a last-minute event complication! e-mail: [email protected]  Alfa 4 --cyl Photo Shoot Anyway, there’s lots of exciting things to come in the Spring - can’t wait to blow the winter Section website, for latest news and more:  New 2011 events muck out of the Alfa’s exhaust www.AROC -UK.COM/CEMIDS  Our Alfas… and more. Our Alfas… and more. pipes. Cheers! JoJJJohoohnhhnnn

■■■ Alfisti Issue 131 ■■■ March 2011 AROC Central & East Midlands Section Events 2011 Date Event Gazetta 9 Mar ‘11 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm News Snippets 27 Mar ‘11 AROC SPRINT at Rockingham Raceway - see cover AROC TRACK DAY WILL BE BACK! - 13 Apr ‘11 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm Many of our Section 17 Apr ‘11 Spring Alfa Day - Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambs, CB22 4QR members Includes Section Convoy Run to start. will 19 Apr ‘11 Night - with the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club at Beedles Lake Golf Centre nr Syston remember the 30 Apr ‘11 Auto Italia - . Includes Section Convoy Run to start. excellent track days TBC April/ Visit to Engineering , Northants. Saturday p.m. tour (approx 3 hours). More the club May ‘11 details in a later edition. Limited numbers, priority given to regular event attendees. organised 11 May ‘11 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm at in recent years. Well, the are set to return, though at present 5 Jun ‘11 Italian Car Concours - Stanford Hall near Lutterworth, Leicestershire it could be Donington, Rockingham or . A date of late September 8 Jun ‘11 Section Fun Concours Night , at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm or October is expected but more here as 18/19 Jun AROC at Mallory Park - Large AROC gathering at our local circuit to watch two Alfa -only soon as we know. AROC track days are races among a packed programme at the Classic festival. More details in box below, particularly good for the novice, with free expert tuition. 26 Jun ‘11 Cotswold Alfa Day - Buscot Park, Faringdon nr Swindon. SECTION DRIVE TO TUSCANY has been 13 Jul ‘11 ‘Spider Night’ at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm aborted as Dave Atkins didn’t quite have the numbers - however, plans are very 17 Jul ‘11 National Alfa Day, Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berks RG8 9NR much afoot for the ‘lads weekend’ fly- drive visit in October, taking in the 10 Aug ‘11 ‘Blag -a-Ride’ Night at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm fantastic Padova Classic Car Show near 14 Aug ‘11 MITCAR - Midlands Italian Car Day at Stoneleigh Abbey, near Coventry. (See below) Venice. More next time.

4 Sep ‘11 Leicester Aeroclub Open Day - Leicester Airport, from 10.30am SECTION CALENDAR - John still has a few still available at £6 each (inc 11 Sep ‘11 Autumn Italian Car Day - Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwicks. postage) with all monies going to charity - Drop John a line if you’d like one. (It’s 14 Sep ‘11 Twilight Drive at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm a really high-quality job too.)

TBC Sep/ AROC Track Day - venue and date TBC. Expected to be good value at a circuit near us. Pete Brailsford is working on our Oct 11 Free expert driver tuition available too - ideal for the novices. planned visit to COSWORTH 12 Oct ‘11 Section AGM and Alfa Quiz at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - from 7.30pm ENGINEERING , slightly complicated as the guy who was providing our way in TBC Oct ‘11 Tuscany Fly -Drive trip! Including visit to the superb Padova Classic Car Show. Section has left the company… Pete is still very ‘lads’ trip, staying at and around Barga. hopeful though and our website will be kept up to date with developments. 9 Nov ‘11 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm 11 - 13 Nov Classic Motor Show - NEC Birmingham Congratulations to long standing Section member ALAN LATHWELL who has 14 Dec ‘11 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm successfully landed a job as salesman at Motorvogue Fiat in Northampton. As Lots more events to be added through the year those present at our February meeting

will know, he’s delighted!

th th AROC at Mallory Park - Classic Touring Car Racing Action, 18 and 19 June Club President GABRIELE TARQUINI (well known to all Alfisti of course) has Our local circuit, Mallory Park will confirmed that he is to continue to race see two days of action featuring in a privateer team Seat Leon TDI in Alfas in June when it stages the the World Touring Car Championship in 2011 Classic Festival. There will be 2011. We still hope to see him at an special AROC display parking and AROC event this year. discount admission for members, OTHER MARQUES whilst on-track amid a packed race programme that includes classic Aston Martin Cygnet. In excess of £35,000. bikes too, there will two dedicated Shouldn’t it be Ugly Duckling? races featuring a packed grid of up to 30 fascinating cars up to the mid-1990s. Mallory Park a superb circuit for spectators with great views and opportunity to get really close to the action. For added fun there will also be Alfa track parades that we may well be able to get involved in. As it is on our patch we will be asking for volunteer parking marshals as ever, who will obtain free admission. There will be a lot more about this superb new event in forthcoming club publications, but do put it in your diary now!!

The Small Print: ‘Alfisti’ is published primarily for the enjoyment of members of the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Central & East Midlands Section with its cost effectively included as part of their annual subscription paid to the AROC. We are very pleased that local dealer Chris Variava Alfa Romeo also support the cost of printing production. Please note that the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club UK ltd cannot endorse or recommend services or products advertised in its publications. Any opinions published in ‘Alfisti’ are personal ones. Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Ltd is Registered in Ipswich. Registered Number 01106134, Registered Office Address: 48 High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QJ. VAT Registration Number 31801433. the best had to be Alan Lathwell. Not only did New Year Meal at La Torre he win a ‘Stig’ Soap-on-a-Rope, but also two tickets to Virgin Active Health clubs (kindly 2011 was our third visit to La Torre for the donated by Dave Atkins). We all expect to see Section’s traditional New Year Meal, and it proved photographic evidence of his attendance! (Not another hit this time around. Our substantial party of soap-on-a-rope usage though Alan. Oo-err…) of 32 people took over the bottom end of the Anyway, we raised over £100 for Macmillan restaurant and judging by the level of volume Cancer Support which was excellent - thanks during the evening everyone had a very good time folks! indeed! Despite us not doing any main awards this The well-priced, three course menu was excellent time, Brian Smith did present one special one - again, and the owners Gregg and Fabio ensured we for ‘general naughtiness’; it going to Mandy were made very welcome throughout – though I Nethercot as lead contributor to him being was berated for not bringing the giant Alfa flag covered in chunks of flapjack when he fell along this year! My fault, as in too big a rush to get asleep, -down in his Spider at MITCAR. Above: La Torre Owners Fabio & Greg with one of there – next time. Well deserved! the team We didn’t do the Section awards this time but did Great to have so many people along for such bring back our raffle and people were very a good all-round evening, though we missed generous with donated prizes and ticket buying. Kev and Angie Bunney who sadly had to attend Notable things? Well, George Cole winning a ladies Angie’s Mum’s funeral – best wishes from us all bath set – though donating immediately to his wife both – plus a number of other regulars away on Janet (great to see her looking so well); Viv holiday. Stephens and his wife Nicola winning several prizes Anyway, the booking is already in for La Torre including Alfa model and posh bottle of Port; but January 2012 as it was so good again. John

Above: Here’s Chris Cheal - man behind the generous free production of our Section Calen- dar and now who’s printing Alfisti for us too!

La Torre

An Authentic Italian Dining experience

Above: Alan was delighted with his using the finest ingredients. Stig Soap-on-a-Rope! Left: Our posse - looking nearly See www.latorrecoalville.co.uk sober!

MiTo Sprint - Special Edition Meanwhile - in the whacky world of

FIAT Group’s desire to fuse the worlds of and Lancia is now in full swing. How Lancisti will take to the concept who knows…. Essentially, Europe is to gain the delights of the face-lifted 7-year old Chrysler 300C ‘Gangster-wagon’ badged as the , and the deeply -unlovely Chrysler 200C badged as the Flavia. Meantime, in the UK we will be getting the somewhat aesthetically ‘challenging’ and the new baby on sale badged as – and potentially sold through FIAT dealerships (yes that’s right, sold as Chryslers.) Where there are no local dealership conflicts these may be sold by Alfa Romeo franchises too. (No guesses then as to where this edition’s back page ’Scoop’ idea came from!)

After the success of the last MiTo limited edition - the sold-out Turismo Sport - Alfa UK has just launched a new one, celebrating its partnership with the UK Athletics team - the ‘Sprint’. The new machine is well equipped and attractively priced, and available with the 95bhp petrol and 1.3 diesel , plus in dual clutch ‘TCT’ form with the 135bhp MultiAir . The Sprint is available in three colours - patriotic red white and blue, and comes with 16” 5-spoke alloys (as the Turismo Sport), air con, rear , Above: Lancia Thema (300C) body coloured mirrors (the car above is not correct in that respect, nor its Top left - Chrysler 200C wheel design), plus fogs and cruise control. It also has a cheeky ‘S’ badge on Left - Lancia Delta. a Union Jack on its c-. Priced from £13,295 to just over £16,000 they Beauty is in the eye of the will not hang around for long. See www.alfamitosprint.co.uk for an ‘e-zine’. beholder...

It’s amazing to think that we’ve been doing this Skittles contest for 13 years now! SKITTLES CONTEST Anyway, the two sides converged as ever on the battlefield that is the Long Alley Alfisti .v. Tifosi Skittles arena at The Griffin Inn at Swithland with the scores even at 6six -all.

Our team was depleted slightly this year owing to illness and Leicester City playing at home on a Team Alfisti! switched-date (they won again though – good old Sven!), whereas the Tifosi boosted in their number bringing in the 2-cylinder Boxer brigade a.k.a. the Citroen 2CV club! Side numbers were about even anyway; Tifosi elected one additional thrower each round to even it up. Round one saw a steady start for the Alfisti. My demo throw score of ‘3’ the usual mediocre amount; Wayne Bell blasted in with 6 though, Richard Owens and Martin Lindus with 5s then the Swinfen family rounded it off with some great scores; dad Mike got 5, mum Sally a 6, then daughters Heather and Hazel a 2 and 6 respectively. Great stuff! I got new member Stuart O’Donnell’s son James to help check my arithmetic as all along the Tifosi scoring was very close - as it worked out though we won the round 55 to 53. One– nil at the supper break! Suitably refreshed we were on to round two. A win in this would seal victory and the trophy would be ours. With a degree of disbelief I got a 5, matched by Wayne. El President é George pulled out a nifty 6, eclipsed by Stuart with a deft L-R: Martin, Jackie. Wayne, Mark, Simon, Richard, John, James, George, Brian, Bryan, Sally, Mike, Hazel, Heather 7, rounded off by some great scores again from ‘Team Swinfen’ the Tifosi had upped their game wooden spoon it was a two-way fight between Andy from the Tifosi took the prize. too with consistent 4s and 5s, but, with maths Jackie Lindus and Chris from Tifosi. That So, all in another fun night and thanks to done again, our tremendous team had done it; turned into a titanic battle with them both everyone who came and especially all the 61 to 58: We were the champions!! scoring 1 in the first play-off, but Chris stealing helpers, namely; Mark, Brian, James and So, on to the play offs. Three people had tied it. And the booby prize for Jackie? Well, a Hazel in the ‘wood yard’ setting the pins. on tops score: Marilyn for Tifosi then Wayne, Sally wooden spoon naturally! Bryan is now updating the ‘inscription’ on the and Hazel for us all on a combined 11. The With some time left we had a singles game trophy which returns to us and will do the throw-off was exciting with Sally and Marilyn of ‘Killer’. One pin, one throw each and two rounds among our regulars. Great stuff! getting 6 but Wayne got a bombastic 7. For the lives. Round it went, but after a game effort John Alfisti Scores R1 R2 Left; James gets Q. How on with the hard can scoring during the it be to ‘Killer’ game while knock John G 3 5 Mark takes a these breather! down? Mark S 2 3 A. Very! Wayne B 6 5

Richard O 5 2

George C 2 6

Right; Stuart O’Donnell takes Martin L 5 3 aim - and gets a great score of 7! Jackie L 2 2

Brian S 4 3 John accepts the fabled trophy from Jane Bryan A 3 4

Stuart O’D 2 7

James O’D 2 4

Mike S 5 3

Sally S 6 5

Heather S 2 4

Hazel S 6 3 L-R; George, Bryan, Jackie & Martin. L-R; Sally & Mike Swinfen watch daughter Heather experience as he entered the corner and Bruntingthorpe: 4 -cyl then, lifted off the throttle! Not a good idea in a 155 as a balanced throttle is the best Photo Shoot approach, consequently the back end whipped round and we did a 360 degree Brian Smith recounts his fun day out at spin. Stirred, but not too shaken, I Bruntingthorpe Proving grounds... suggested to Guy that a slightly different technique on the corners would be I was recently contacted by Auto Italia beneficial. Although there were a few more magazine (our illustrious leader JG had passed twitches, we did the remains of the test on my name) with a request to do a photo shoot without a repeat of the experience. at Bruntingthorpe. AI were doing a feature on The 156 performed rather well but, Alfa sporting saloons and needed a 155 2 litre because it had typical 156 stopping power, T/Spark, a 156 2 litre JTS and a 159 2.2 JTS. Guy had to ease back to avoid problems, The weather had been quite poor in the Chris’s 159 looked very capable and as it preceding days, but with a bright sunny day passed our parking area I set off in hot forecast this was going to be something to look The first photos were taken with us driving pursuit to see if my 155 was really going as well forward to. As it happened, I was to encounter in formation at around 25mph along the back as I thought. I was quite impressed, the 159 was another dull morning and a tailback on the M1 straights of the Bruntingthorpe circuit with coping very well with the poor surface enabling it from J21 right back to J23. Leaving the Michael Ward hanging out the rear of his to take the bends at speed, but nevertheless the motorway at J22 I used a combination of brain Punto van. A few static shots followed before old ‘gal was right behind it and showing lots of and Sat Nav to find a decent ‘back roads’ route we had the opportunity to take the cars spirit. There’s no doubt that with a 155 you get to Bruntingthorpe. around the shorter circuit at pace which loads of fun for small bucks, mine has now done Arriving at around 9.30 am, there was time to allowed for some action shots at the chicane. 185,000 miles and my aim is the 250,000 mile get a bacon butty and coffee down me before I was giving the old girl some stick (was she mark. the AI team arrived: Michael Ward was doing the there too Brian? ;-) – JG) and, bearing in mind The day was made even better by the arrival shots, Guy Baker was writing the editorial, and the conditions were damp, had quite a lot of of the Marangoni Giulietta which is shod with editor Phil Ward. A 156 2.0 JTS had been fun. Guy Baker then asked if he could take rather conspicuous ‘green’ Marangoni tyres, and provided by 156 owner, Sean Harton, a very the cars out to get his impressions of their has various other ‘go-faster’ bits added as well. friendly chap from Kettering, who was shortly to different characteristics for his editorial. I’ve Note the interior which reminds one of the garish find out that his brakes were far from been quite fortunate to have some track interior in the infamous Arna model. This was a satisfactory. The 159 had been brought over by experience in my 155s and felt quite fascinating car, which we left to the AI guys to Chris Childs from our section too. His car was comfortable driving at speed, but not when photograph and test for another article no doubt. featured in another comparison test in 2009, someone else is at the helm. The straight on By now it was time for a spot of lunch, before but had just had a recent re-map to release a the short circuit was particularly bumpy and we set off home. Typical that the weather was few horses and cure the 2.2 JTS hesitation my 155 doesn’t have the softest of now changing for the better, grrrr! Brian problem, so it was going to be interesting to see suspension, nevertheless we approached the how my 155 was going to perform against the first right hander at some knots. Guy assured Keep an eye-out later models. me that he had had lots of track day for the official article in

(...apart from Alfisti)

Innovative Italian tyre manufacturer, Marangoni, has a new Alfa Romeo demo machine - this aggressive-looking Giulietta Cloverleaf, complete with heavyweight body kit, HUGE exhausts and GREEN tyres> (Well, you’d want to spot those wouldn’t you?!) The car’s matt-grey finish looks very cool, but its bright green interior is a bit more of an acquired taste, done to match its moss-green tyres. The silica has been specially coloured of course, however, MUSCLE the effect looks a lot like it’s just been driven over something green and sticky! Of course it’s all designed to grab Press attention, and it certainly has. The shots from this photo shoot will appear in a forthcoming edition of Auto Italia magazine. (Thanks to Brian Smith for forwarding his photos here.) OUR CARS extra! Chris Childs’ 159

Chris’s 159 will be well known to Auto Italia readers as it will soon have featured in no less than two photo shoots / comparison tests! Most recently however it has been pressed into wedding car service. Quoting Chris: “It was one of my best mates’ sister, now a Mrs Amy walker and she LOOOOOVED IT ! I think the red leather was a clincher on the deal to be the coolest bride in the land ... It definitely got plenty of looks and comments and plenty of the blokes hovering around it at the church and venue afterwards. I just needed more head Above: Chris’s Stromboli Grey 159 2.2 JTS room when driving home if you know what I mean—"WINK-WINK"! Lusso looks great with its ribbons... The church was St Peter & St Pauls and the venue I dropped the married couple at was one we know of quite well - Beedles Lake Golf centre near East Goscote, scene of the classic car meets.” Chris

Car Cleaning Tip of the Month Geneva Show Preview

After having the paint on my roof ‘etched’ by a large bird Alfa Romeo’s presence at this dropping a few years back, nowadays I try to remove bird lime important show is drastically as soon as possible. reduced from recent years - a

If I don't want to do a full wash, or am away from home, it can quartet of official cars (two MiTos, be as simple as placing a piece of kitchen paper towel on the two Giuliettas) on a shrunken stand area and wetting it thoroughly - maybe with a trigger bottle with and no new models - the TCT water in it. You could even use milk if it is handy which will gearbox in the Giulietta being the neutralise the acid (that's the problem bit that causes the only ‘new’ thing to show.

etching). The MiTo will be shown for the first This softens the mess and makes time in MY 2011 spec which will be it much easier to wipe off. Don't try available across all the major to scrub it off if it's still dry as it European countries from April. The can easily mark the paintwork. MiTo MY 2011 gets a new exterior Make sure you always then re- colour, the metal-flake (aluminium apply some protection when you and mica together) "Bronzo are home with a wax or sealant of Metal" (bronze metal) as well as two- you choice, as some of the tone interiors with new upholstery protection will have been removed for the insert and door by the acidic bird lime. panels. A new fabric has been

That’s the cheap and cheerful developed for the seats too. ‘after the event’ method. An (Questionable design?). The version carrying the MY 2011 improvements on the alternative is Autoglym’s Bird stand will be the range-topping Cloverleaf 1..4 MultiAir Turbo 170 HP equipped Dropping Wipes (pictured) that are with new Sabelt sports seats with a carbon fibre backrest.

in individual sachets to stop them There is no mention in the press preview of the KTM-sourced two-seater Sportster drying out. Handy if it’s a fresh possibly KTM based and powered by Alfa’s 1750 turbo, rumoured to be called 4C- landing!! John GTA, though we have learned from a source, who will remain nameless, that it will

be there. A party from our Section will be going and photos will feature next time…

I pile hot and hard into a series of switchbacks, reading the Sipping from the black bottle messages through transparent steering that supplies literally fistfuls of feedback. Still the MiTo doesn’t blink, slicing through every Troy Tests... successive corner like a four-seater knife. Poking my fingers deeper into the dynamic envelope I dive into a particularly nuggety curve near Narborough and slam shut the grateful gas tap. All at once the tail steps wide, I catch it with a dab of oppo and I’m away. Not for the first time today the niggling needle The Alfa MiTo 1.3 JTDm2 Lusso is a be-atch. And I spanked it. nudges the red paint with an impudent urgency, threatening to plunge fully into its admonishing arc Troy Queef is Executive Associate until a precisely timed grab for yet another gear sees Editor -At -Large for DAB OF OPPO magazine. it fall like a drowning elephant into the more discreetly dressed hues of the dial’s lower depths. As this instrumental routine swings on, the flatlands of England pass by in a barely noticeable blur for there is no doubt I am literally dancing through the door marked progress. Today it’s turbo time in this terrific tiddler… Yes, my stoic steed in this balls-forward headbutt on the twisties of the East Midlands is nothing less than Alfa’s newest attempt to seduce the more parsimonious in this period of permanent price push at the pumps. But what really matters is how this baby dances when the blacktop gets twisty. I’m literally pointing it face first into the bitumen and if it shats its nappy we will know Alfa has failed…. As the revometer rides its lonesome curve once more there are certainly no gripes in the grunt department. This 1300cc motor may sip from the black bottle but when talk turns to , diesel do nicely. Question is, can the chassis deliver the legs to match those lungs? First impressions reveal a ride that’s as firm yet flexible as a blob of new Blu-Tack, yet despite that roll has no role when a righteous right hander rears its head. Time to see if the grip becomes gristle when I turn it up to ten-tenths. See SniffPetrol.com ‘OUR CARS’ special feature... The Jacqui Wood fleet!

I bought my first Alfa six years ago now, and I’m now on my third - or is that my fourth? I purchased a new Giulietta just in time for Christmas and what an excellent present it is. That’s really what’s spurred me into writing something for Alfisti. My first Alfa was the GTV 2.0 JTS and I loved it from the start. It felt like it was tailor made for me. The pedals were in the correct position, the red leather seats were comfortable, the in the right position and it had uncomplicated instruments that allowed you to drive and enjoy the car. The only downside was the dog (Ralph the Airedale) didn’t like it. If you could coax him in he’d slide around on the lovely red leather seats for the entire journey. I tried using a doggy seat belt but Ralph, aka Houdini, had worked his way out of it before the first pit stop and the blankets would slide along with him! I decided to buy Ralph his own car - a 156 Sportwagon. A bit extravagant maybe, but worth every penny to keep the Airedale a happy traveller. It’s a great runner, very practical and Ralph likes it. When the Brera S came on the market it looked an interesting and Ralph in the boot. It possibility. The GTV had 85,000 miles on the clock and I’d been driving looked like it could work so it for four years. Even though it was in excellent condition and hadn’t an order was placed and the shown any problems I thought it was probably time to change to the new Brera S put in for part and exciting Brera S. With that the GTV was recycled to my husband exchange. Mark, that’s a whole other story for another day, and I began driving the Three months later, yes a Brera S 2.2 JTS. bit of a wait, my car arrived The Brera S was a good looking car. People would turn their heads to and was ready to pick up the look at it and I was stopped on the street /in car parks on several weekend before Christmas. occasions by people wanting to know more about it. The dash board Unfortunately it had snowed looked good with an array of buttons and knobs to satisfy a curious mind quite heavily and the garage when stuck on the M42/25/1/40 etc. Ralph could fit in the boot/ had to close so I couldn’t area (under duress) but had to be lifted in as the tail gate was too high, collect it. The next day the garage still couldn’t open because of the 25 kilos is quite a weight when you’re trying not to scratch the paintwork. weather. The following few days I couldn’t get in as I was working. The next He didn’t go in very often – he’s got his own car. It handled really well – available day was Wednesday and guess what – woke up to several inches no need to brake for a bend, just squeeze the accelerator a little more of snow and getting out of my village wasn’t looking very good. At 3.00pm and you’d be carried around with confidence. For me it came into its own the snow stopped and I saw a patch of blue sky. I phoned Guest to tell them on long motorway journeys with a safe and sturdy ride. I liked it, very I was on my way and by 5.00pm I was leaving Guest’s with my new much, but never fell in love with it. It didn’t fit around me like the GTV. Giulietta Cloverleaf 1750 TBi 235bhp - in the All Weather setting. With the VAT rise, petrol prices increasing and insurance more More driving taught me to be wary of the Dynamic button; the speedo slid expensive every year the time had arrived to consider being a little more very easily around to 110mph without trying. The next day we all travelled practical. I saw the Giulietta on display at Shelsley Walsh at the National the 300 miles to Penzance for Christmas. By the time we returned home I Alfa Day. Looked ok, there was a Cloverleaf version and when I checked had fallen in love with my Alfa again. It’s fun, interesting, comfortable and the hatchback boot area it looked like an Airedale might fit. Hmm, I could we all fit it in quite nicely (though Ralph is still to be convinced). We’ve not use one car for me AND the dog and downsize so to speak. A bit more told him yet but the Sportwagon will be sold in the spring – after Mark has reading about it and even more egging on from my husband and the test carried out some modifications on the GTV. I think we’re turning my Dad drive was booked at Guest’s in Knowle (other Alfa dealers are into an Alfista as he wants to buy it off me. available!). Anyway, we all went, me, Mark and Ralph each testing our Anyway, now me and my Jacquietta, oops, Giulietta, are getting along respective areas - Mark in the passenger seat, me in the drivers’ seat very well. Jaqui

Our local members love hearing about you and your Alfa (or Alfas!), just like this. Why not drop a line to John? Our next monthly meeting at The George & GT BlackLine JTDm - Richard Rees Our Alfas Dragon in Thringstone on Wednesday 9 th All the latest on our local March from 7.30pm. members’ cars... See you there! John

Giulietta Cloverleaf - Jacqui Wood Brera 3.2 SV Q4 - Simon Addison

There was a time when we had no fewer than four diesel-engined ‘BlackLine’ GTs among our local members (the BlackLine being a high-spec Limited Edition GT from mid-07 to early 08, in, er, Metallic Black), but now just two remain in their hands. One belonging to Simon had a cool carbon-fibre effect wrap John G of course, another to Richard Rees who lives near Rugby - and both are still From an email to John: applied to the roof of his Brera at the end of last year, extending it to the metal bits on the fanatical about them. Here’s some of Attached is a picture of my new car, a Giulietta Richard’s comments from a recent email to Cloverleaf in metallic Alfa Red, it replaces the dash, door trims and steering wheel. Looks great from many angles, but there’s a bit of a John: “The Blackline has 76k on it now. I had Brera S. I picked it up just before Christmas from a remap on it a year or so ago and it's never Guest Knowle after a long 3 month wait. As they story behind it. More in a later edition! been better. Neil Smith (NJS) in Pershore, say all good things come to those who wait. I’ve Worcs. looks after it. Can't see myself selling only done 1000 miles in it so far, a return trip to Keith Millard - 159 1.9 JTDm it - among some it’s a proper ‘Bloke’s’ car. Penzance for the Christmas holidays, but I’m Having said that, I'm looking forward to the really pleased with it already. new Giulia in 2012. Or was it 2013>” It’s very smart and the DNA system is excellent. I Richard drove it away from the garage in All weather setting as it was very icy, the Normal setting is perfectly ok and drives nicely but the Dynamic 159 1750 TBi Ti - Keith Krog setting is quite something. Changing from normal to dynamic makes you go “oooh” and takes you by surprise. So much power, hardly touching the accelerator! (More inside from Jacqui.)

GTV 2.0 TS - Tiernan Daly

From a note to John: Although I was happy with the steering feel on my car I was concerned about the front tyres wearing on Not what you want in the winter - Keith the inside edges, although the tracking was caught a long wooden spike in his 19” tyre, within specification. Therefore I booked in at sadly non-repairable. He’s sourced some Protyre at Warwick and let Peter Cambridge Yokohama Advans though for a pretty good (and Harry) have a go at setting it up on the price (under £200 a corner!) Mind you, at camera alignment gear. Having read the rave least he has a spare rather than the reviews I was dubious the results could be as increasingly common can of foam repair good as the claims said. The geometry on my spray. Other than that his 200bhp turbo 159 car did need a total of 18 degrees adjustment, is behaving really well having racked up over and the steering is now much more positive> 20,000 miles now in around 9 months! And it Thanks to Peter and his know-how. Keith can shift too... From an email to John from new club member Tiernan: I collected my GTV on the 14th Jan 2011 from a garage in London called Prestige SCOOP! Auto Sales. The car has had two previous - - owners, 75k on the clock, FSH and comes with all Unusual news from the world of motoring the Lusso extras. The car was registered

01/03/2001. New Alfa Spider launch set for Geneva Show I'm still currently on the hunt for a suitable mid- rear window spoiler. Please see the shot below of With the Chrysler 300C to be my fathers GTV with that type. Cheers, Tiernan rebadged as Lancia Thema in Europe, FIAT Boss Sergio Marchionne has wasted no time in plugging the gap in Alfa’s range with a quality, proven Chrysler-based product. The New Spider will be powered by the Chrysler 2.4 Gasoline 4-cyl engine giving 57bhp, but will boast 4 seats. (Hang on, this is ANOTHER bad dream isn’t it??)

■■■ Alfisti’s production is sponsored by Chris Variava Alfa Romeo Nottingham ■■■ Alfisti no.132 will be out in April