Hungarian Alfa Romeo enthusiasts' club AlfaAmore has just held the 8th edition of iits AlfaCity event in Esztergom which was deemed a huge success after more than 550 cars and over 2,000 people arrived to take part.

More than 550 cars and over 2,000 people gathered together during the Alfa Amore-organised AlfaCity08 event held last weekend in front of the majestic Basilica in Esztergom, Hungary to join up with Central Europe’s biggest Alfa Romeo event, where even the new Alfa Mi.To turned up, however it was in the form of an ice sculpture. AlfaCity became truly international this year; and this was affirmed by the largest number of foreigner visitors ever participating: fifteen cars came from Poland, while there was a smattering of German, Dutch, Croatian and Romanian Alfa Romeo owners' who also drove many miles to visit AlfaCity08.

Alfa Romeo’s brand new compact sport car, the Mi.To was one of the absolute stars of AlfaCity08, where, the organisers promised that visitors would be able to touch it and see it in 3D. With the help of a talented ice-sculptor who cut out the unique shape of the Mi.To within the confines of a special show with a chainsaw, we introduced Alfa’s new and very eagerly awaited novelty. So the participants of AlfaCity08 were allowed to see the car before its international premiere in June, however not in full 1:1 scale.

This year’s event was also a festival for the very popular Alfa 33, because Alfa Romeo’s well known model is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Hence the Alfa 33 owners taking part received extra dedicated Alfa 33 decals, and key-holders; while all the participant’s could vote for these cars in addition from the other Alfa Romeos present.

Meanwhile, keeping strongly to the theme of the Alfa 33, the racers taking part in the AlfaCity Grand Prix online game were able to test their joystick skills with the historic Alfa 33 P4. In respect for the many 'oldtimers' who turned up we arranged an oldtimer-youngtimer exhibition, where lots of GTV6s, Alfettas, Sprints and a fabulous 2600 Sprint were exhibited.

The most frightening exhibition during the day was performed by the “artists” of the mountain bike freestyle show, and the most beautiful moment of the event was one of our members getting engaged to his girlfriend to the backdrop of the Basilica, in front of hundreds of participants. Our blood donation initiative (spread the Alfa virus, give blood!) was very successful too, with more than 40 people giving blood. Everyone who took part was delighted with the success of the event and we are all now looking forward to our next meeting. For more information on the club please visit www.alfaamore.hu

by Teddy Körtvélyes