Iniezione the Newsletter of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club
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Iniezione The newsletter of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club This Article Didn’t Write Itself It Had Help from the October Club Meeting Ever wanted to write an article for the newsletter but didn’t know quite how or where to start? Several budding scribes attended our October 10th club meeting at Wild About Cars Garage to learn from a true professional. Cindy Akana has a strong back- ground in technical and creative writing, and current- ly teaches in the Seattle area on, among other sub- jects, communications skills. The fact that she can keep Fred in line (more or less) is testament to her ability to take charge of a boisterous group. But first, our regular club business included the all-important social greet-and-eat in the inspiring surroundings of Wild About Cars Garage. It’s always fascinating to see what new cars are on display there, and amongst the Porsches, Cobras and Cor- vettes this month the gems included a rare and high- ly-regarded Noble M12 GTO-3R, an English sports/ track car of which only 220 have been imported to the US. Now that would be fun at the Driving School ing an article for publication. This produced a fair in November... amount of nervousness on its own, but its value After a run-through on recent activities, current showed immediately we got up the courage to share status and future attractions from various club board our thoughts, as it turned out everyone was worried members, it was on to the main event. Cindy initial- about the same things! Not having anything original ly assigned us to write down every reason we could or relevant to say, being boring, being too general or think of why we were nervous about or afraid of writ- too specific, we all have the same insecurities—as (continued on page 4) Wanted—Club Secretary! We need a scribe! With nominations for the Board positions still open, all members are wel- come to volunteer for any role they can help with but in particular we need to fill the Secretary position. Wondering if you’re up to this? Sure you are! In a nutshell, it involves taking notes at club and board meetings, then forwarding them to other board and committee members. It requires some organization and communication skills and minimal time each month. Gordy Hyde, who’s held almost all of the Board positions at some time, reckons this is the easiest one to perform and still gives you a voting voice in club decisions. If you haven't volunteered for a position before, this is your chance! Call Fred Russell at 425 308 6621 to discuss, clarify or dive right in. Thank you! Inside this November 2017 issue… * Writing Articles ……... pp 1, 4 * Driving School, Lapping .. p 6 * Membership ….........…. p 11 * President’s Column ......... p 2 * Festa di Amici party ..…... p 7 * Calendar …………...……… p 12 * November Club Mtg …..... p 3 * Make a Wind Deflecter .. p 8 Next club events… * Alfas in Austria ……......... p 4 * Alfa History Snapshot ...… p 9 * Club Meeting ………………..…… November 10 * Autumn Drive Report ...... p 5 * Alfa News, Classifieds ... p 10 * Driving School, Lapping …….. November 19 * Festa di Amici …………….....…. December 10 President ’s Column By Fred Russell Plenty to enjoy while we head into the busy holi- read, "Drive safe- day season. ly. The loaf you Once a year, our chapter holds elections for the save may be your own." More info officer positions. The nominations for President, Vice- President, Secretary, and Treasurer were all opened can be found on page 6 of this at our October meeting and stay open until the elec- tions at our November meeting. There are candidates newsletter. for each position except the role as Secretary, which That same we need to fill. Wondering if you can do this role? afternoon (Nov Yes, you can! Call me at 425 308 6621 with ques- 19) we are also tions, thoughts or to volunteer. holding another High-Performance NWARC’s full board met recently, and one of the business items was to update the chapter By-Laws, Driving Experi- ence (HPDE) at Pacific Raceways. This is also to im- the official set of rules that we follow to manage the club. Our review was to ensure they accurately re- prove your skills but is focused more on performance driving, with 3 different groups on the track based on flect our process, and to amend our process or the by -laws as needed. We also made sure they don't con- skillset and car speed. If you have experience in driving at speed around a track, you'll have a great flict with the by-laws of the national AROC. The good time improving your times, cornering, braking and news is we had only minor changes that primarily re- track positioning around the 2.25-mile track. We'll flect modern wording or process, as well as making have safety measures in place to help ensure every- the language gender-neutral. We’ll post the newly updated by-laws on the club website for you to re- one has a good time. Maybe you're really good and just need to give the car a good test... come be part view. If you’d like a hard copy, let us know (call me at 425 308 6621) and we’ll mail you one. We'll take of this day. New to this? We can help. Everyone on the track had to start somewhere and we'll have a vote on the adoption of these amended rules at a future general meeting. coaches to ride along with you to give you the help throughout the event. This isn't for everyone, but if The Seattle International Auto Show is on No- it's for you, you'll find more info about registering on vember 9-12 at Century Link Field. It’s a treat to page 6 of this newsletter. look at the floor map and see not just Ferrari and December has the Holiday Gala, a wonderful so- Maserati (both upstairs), but also Alfa Romeo and Fiat cial event with lots a people, excellent food and a spots (on the main floor). This year, the Alfa booth slew of items on the auction tables to bid on. I try to will display the 4C, Giulias and Stelvios. It’s been a do a little Christmas shopping at those tables while long time since we've seen this many new Alfa choic- es at the show. out-bidding some of the other members. Hint: Bid rather high to ensure I won't out-bid you. Check We know how much we like to drive, but some- out page 7 and get signed up! times we could use a little extra guidance or prac- tice. Great news... we are holding another Skills When the winter chill fills the air, our family have all returned to their homes, the post-Christmas quiet School at Pacific Raceways on the morning of November 19! It’s part of our charter "to promote is starting to settle and the urge to drive to some- where other than the grocery store or mall sets in... and encourage safe driving on the public highways" it's time once again for our New Year's Day Anti Foot- and this is a ton of fun. Even if you know your skills, ball drive. Clearly the weather gods like Alfas as then bring that new car out and better understand its we've had nice weather each year for 7 or 8 events... adhesion limits and weight transfer. Okay, so you know your car and your skills... what about your except for some huge rain drops that fell a few years ago along Hood Canal, and the occasional ice patches spouse or friend? ...your 16 or older child? ...that boy who is dating your daughter? This event is an thrown in to keep our hearts pounding. This year, we head north again using parts of long-ago routes but excellent chance for any driver to learn car control and some fun basic safety tips they can use to avoid mildly updated. I'll have the specifics in the Decem- ber newsletter. - Fred Russell the next crash. It brings back memories of the slo- gan on the back of the old Gai's Bakery trucks that NWARC November 2017 newsletter page 2 November 14 - NWARC Club Meeting Board Members President Fred Russell (425) 308-6621 [email protected] My volunteer recognition plan for searched for, someone with the moti- Vice President the November meeting changed so we vation and the technical expertise to Cindy Akana improved upon the plan. As a real deliver the goods. “We make an excel- (425) 502-1185 treat, we have noted author Garth lent team, you and me,” Oleg said. [email protected] Stein coming to talk about the be- The binders were inside a large card- Secretary hind-the-scenes of writing, pub- board box in the trunk of my other car, Gordy Hyde lishing, and promoting successful a black Corvette Z06. “You could (425) 241-9307 books. Maybe he'll give us an update make a lot of money,” Oleg said. [email protected] on what Enzo has been doing and how “What’s a lot?” I asked him. “That Treasurer life is with a daily driver Alfa. Corvette you are so proud of?” said Ken Case "...bought in California in 2011 off Oleg. “What about it?” I inquired. [email protected] eBay sight unseen. Once I got it I re- “You could buy ten." he answered.