The US Alfa Romeo Owners' Club holds a convention each year, which is hosted by one of the member clubs' in turn. The convention moves its location to a different geographical region each year, in an attempt to make it as accessible as possible to the larger membership. Last year it was held in New Hampshire, next year it will be in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while in 2007 it will be the turn of Detroit.

However this year - the AROC US Convention - was held in Seattle, hosted by the North West Alfa Romeo Club.

ALFA POTLATCH - SEATTLE

In the true spirit of a Native American Potlatch, the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club recently hosted the US Alfa Romeo Owners Club Convention in Seattle, Washington over four days.

Northwest Native Americans' host Potlatches to establish their status in society with a display of their wealth and generosity. Building on that spirit the North West Alfa Club refurbished a 1976 Alfa Spider and raffled it off during the event to raise US$10,000 for the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

On Thursday attendees to the convention - which was held is warm and sunny conditions - toured local car collections and attended a V6/Transaxle 'technical' session presented by Ron Simons of RS Racing in the Netherlands.
 

Friday featured a time trial at the Pacific Raceway, a 2.1 mile course which features over 300 feet of elevation changes, and which famous Grand Prix Champion Phil Hill described as a ‘little Nürburgring’. During the lunch period a 'rolling history' of Alfa Romeos paraded by with commentary supplied by Thor Thorsen. Saturday’s events then included a TSD rally, an autocross, and techcal sessions hosted by Wes Ingram and Bill Gillham. After the raffle, the author and noted ride mooch Burt Levy entertained folks during the Saturday evening convention banquet.

On Sunday the convention closed with a Concours and an awards banquet. In between the four days of major events over six hundred attendees from right across the US and Canada, peppered with a few guests from Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands had the opportunity to share their experiences and make new friends.

by Dave Emerson