The Estoril racetrack played host to an Iberic concentration organised by Alfa Romeo's Spanish importer and by the Spanish Alfa Romeo Club in a close collaboration with the Portuguese Alfa Romeo Club, turning the Portuguese circuit into an enormous 'Cuore Sportivo', allowing Iberic 'Alfistas' to live out a magical day in a passionate surrounding.

More than one hundred Alfas marked their presence during the event, half from each nationality, with a particular concentration of classics, rarities and historically important cars from the Arese brand. Practically including all Alfa Romeo models from 1950 onwards, almost all had in common their excellent state of conservation and restoration. Some of the notable examples included the fabulous Montreal, 2600 Spider, Giulietta, Giulia Sprint GTA, all production series of Spiders (including a rare Duetto) and Bertone coupes, Giulia, Alfetta, 75, GTV, SZ/RZ and the recently top of the range, 147 and 156 GTA.

The event begun with a series of laps set to 30 minutes on the track, with groups being formed by model and characteristics of the cars. As expected, this was the program component that received the most attention from the participants, and concentrated driving and exploring all the capabilities of the machines, however, with having the fun being the main target. The number of Alfas that had suffered of brakes heating testified to this engagement. The Slalom was the following event, always superbly demonstrated, and where the Portuguese Aldalberto Melim showed for yet one more time the reason why he is one of the biggest national specialists in this type of competition, collecting the victory in an amazing way.
 

With the morning richly fulfilled, it was time for lunch, which was excellently presented by Alfa Romeo in the paddock of the circuit. It gave participants the chance to relax a little, but also importantly, to share and swap experiences and histories between two peoples who share the same passion for the Arese marque. After this period, Alfa Romeo test-drives took place, for which occasion an important set of 147 and GT models had been deployed by the importer. The event also saw the national presentation of new the 156 Crosswagon Q4.

The amount and quality of the presented cars, the sheer mythical place where the event occurred, the activities on the track and outside of it, along with the genuine spirit of the Portuguese and Spanish Alfistas, made this concentration undoubtedly one of the most shining pages in the history of these two Alfa Romeo Clubs.

Congratulations must go out to the Alfa Romeo Club of Spain, to the Alfa Romeo Club of Portugal, to the Alfa Romeo Club of Catalunya, and finally to the Alfa Romeo importer, all of whom combined so well together to turn this into a fantastic event.

by Orlando Ferreira