During its presentation to the Portuguese automotive community, the ALFAnord meeting coloured the northern city of Braga with the biggest ever Alfa Romeo gathering to take place in Portugal.

The motivation of the event was to pay tribute to the national glories of the António Peixinho, Rufino Fontes and Sá Nogueira brothers, all of them prominent racing drivers from early 1960’s to the late 1980’s.

With the presence of more than 240 Alfa Romeos during the weekend, around 600 visitors, 36 cars representing the invited clubs, and a group of 6 two-wheelers representing the Goldwing Club of Portugal, the ALFAnord was proudly presented as one of the biggest events of the national club’s calendar, which mobilised a considerable number of men and machines for an unforgettable and unique baptism of this new Portuguese Alfa Romeo enthusiasts club.

Deeply breathing a sweet Italian atmosphere, Braga received with sunny weather and a great party, the friends and enthusiasts of the Arese brand for the event of presentation of the ALFAnord on the 9 and 10th of April.

Kicking off the two day program, the enthusiastic Alfisti were received with a welcome coffee offered by the local Alfa Romeo dealer STOCK CAR. Then it was time to move the cars and people to downtown Braga, for a unique display of elegance and stamina that filled the Central Avenue, offering the flavours of yesterday in harmonic symbiosis with the ones of today.

It was time then to offer the machines and pilots the twisty road to Bom Jesus, taking in the historical and charismatic Falperra hill-climb on the way, with a Road Book offering the a natural genetic Alfa Romeo vista: a mix of curves and mountains.

Ending the road journey and it was time to install the guests at the chosen hotels, dividing attention between the cars and pleasant discussion. Dinner offered a delightful moment to all the Alfisti with a mixed crossing of cultures, the Portuguese gastronomy mixing with the very Italian conversations revolving around the Alfa Romeo theme at all the tables.

Closing the Saturday program at the 'In Club' night house and was time to start the ALFAnord Karting Trophy at the in-house indoor Karting circuit, which gave all the Alfisti a fun way to round out to ALFAnord's night in Braga’s.

Sunday, and the Vasco Sameiro Speed Track received the complete day's program with many attractions starting with homage's to the legendary faces of the Portuguese Alfa Romeo racing scene who were their in the person of António Peixinho, Rufino Fontes, Bernardo and Domingos Sá Nogueira. The circuit did however seem too small to receive the wide hundreds of people that came has participants and visitors.

Main events of the day were undoubtedly the Alfa Romeo only 'Track Day', which returned the Italian machines to their natural place - the track - and the “Concorso D’eleganza ALFAnord” with a college of judges choosing winners from some of best historic models taking part.
 

The day's activities extended along the circuit, with the Alfa 147 and GT being available for test drives, courtesy of the local dealer, STOCK CAR, a intriguing demonstration of car detailing art, a small automobilia, a slot car track, and the glorious presence of a simply magnificent Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Freccia d’Oro, soon to start as a full restoration project of the Auto Museu da Maia workshop.

Meanwhile in the Max Mosley room arrangements for the driver’s homage were underway, along with a photographic and pilots object's exhibition. The homage gathered an emotive crowd who were delighted by the presence of such great men and pilots who received ALFAnord club honour to become honorary associates.

An emotive António Peixinho who raced with the Alfa Romeo GTA, GTAm and Tipo 33/3 in the ex-Portuguese colony of Angola confessed - "I’ve never felt more love for the automobiles as today here in this ALFAnord meeting, with the true spirit that I learned to face racing. I’m very touched, this is one of the happiest days of my life”.

Domingos Sá Nogueira, who along with his late brother Bernardo, dominated the Portuguese and Spanish racing scene in the 1970’s driving the GTA, GTAm and Junior Zagato, winning all the races held at Jarama in 75 and 76 along the way, said: "I am grateful to ALFAnord who demonstrated a very special affection by inviting us. We were received splendidly. When I accepted the invitation I accepted it because Alfa Romeo is the brand of my heart and as such I did not hesitate in driving all the way from Madrid to be present here, and I do not regret myself. No homage was more important for me because this has been made in my country, and because it was made by a group of youngsters that really knows what automobile sport is about".

Rufino Fontes, the 1983 National Champion at the wheel of his Alfetta GTV6, and who also raced to success in his Bertone GTV 2000 and Alfa 75 Turbo Evoluzione chassis 001, stated: "Congratulations to this great event and for the homage that I have been offered. Of the great moments I’ve passed in my racing career some of the best had been at the wheel of an Alfa Romeo - a car that was born for the track. Therefore I congratulate you for the magnificent place you chose. The sight of this track full of Alfa Romeo’s proves my point. I want to congratulate ALFAnord for the chance they gave us, it is a pleasure to meet again with such good friends and be reminded the good old days.”

The Track Day saw Albertino Sousa post the fastest time driving a Giulia 2000 GTAm replica, followed by Adalberto Melim in a GTV 2000, and Eduardo Cabreira at the wheel of a 146 1.4TS.

Winner of the "Concorso d'Eleganza ALFAnord" was a beautifully restored 1972 GT 1300 Junior belonging to António Sousa, second place went to José Macedo and his 1970 1750 Berlina, while third position was awarded to the 1971 GT 1300 Junior Scallino of Mauricio Machado. Also being distinguished as the most significant car at competition, was a fabulous 1952 year 6C 2500 Spider Pininfarina.

And so a new club ALFAnord was born. This superb event so well captured famous historical glories, bringing them back to today, to be cemented into each Alfisti heart that was present.