Re: Gheesh

[Italiacars@domain.elided]

In a message dated 01/05/2000 5:00:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< Someone should show up with a Callaway twin Turbo, or a 164 Q/S or a Milano
 Verde, c'mon is the sentiment being implied that our "lowly" Alfas are too 
slow
 for a high speed track like Pocono. Thats BS, as many of the above cars are 
very
 near in performance to many early 80's Ferraris (I'm not making it up, check
 contemporary road test reports) An early 90's 164S/Q can keep up with a 
Mondial
 for sure, compare 1/4 mile times with 348's or 328' s or gasp 308's. 
 I won't even get into Masers, other than to say my Verde used to routinely 
spank
 a  local Biturbo driver, and I'm not talking driver skill here, just pedal to
 the metal stuff. 
 Make no mistake I love Ferraris and Masers as much as any Italian car nut, 
but
 to imply that Alfas are unsuitable for high speed courses is (Bleep).
 
 Giovanni
 88 Verde >>

Mr. Giovanni,

In response to your comments on the performance worthiness of certain Alfa 
Romeos. Every member of our group (Italian C.A.R.S.) is a current or ex Alfa 
owner.
I own a 164 LS, another has a Spyder, another had a Callaway GTV6 and the 4th 
owns an 8C 2900. So we are well aware of what they can and cannot do.

The course we use at Pocono is the very high speed 2.5 mile road course 
without chicanes. It consists of 2 - 3,000+ ft straights joined by a 16 
degree bank. All the above mentioned cars will reach their top speed long 
before the end of the front straight. Now you have a car at it's top speed 
with Diablos, Testarossas, F40s and 500 hp Panteras coming up fast from 
behind going into the banking. Most people attending aren't professional 
racers, the closing speeds, power difference and braking capabilities are too 
great to risk someone's life for the sake of an ego.

That said exceptions are made for certain models upon request. Last year 3 
Alfas were granted exemption status. They were a Tipo 33/3 and TT 12 and 179 
Formula 1 car. We created a vintage session for older cars which are capable 
of the acceleration with modern cars, but it's handling and braking is no 
where near that of a modern car.

It has nothing to do with slighting Alfas as less of a car. It comes down to 
simple safety. While certain Alfas may be close in acceleration to a 308, 
Mondial or Biturbo. Very few of those cars are actually driven on the track, 
most are the newer much higher horsepower cars.

We would like to create a run group of similarly powered cars to ensure 
everyone's safety. Just like we did with the motorcycles.  We need a minimum 
of 25 Alfa/Fiat/Lancia etc. cars to justify the track time. We have tried 
this for a number of years, but have become very frustrated much like Glenn 
Wasserman in his post: NY/NJ/PA alfisti: autox anyone? We are appealing to 
the same regions and their turnout has been less than inspiring. It is the 
largest 3 day in the North America for Italian cars. It is on a scale of the 
Alfa National, Cavallino & Concorso Italiano and a short drive from anywhere 
in the Northeast. All they have to do is show up 1 year and they will return 
every year after that.

If you have any other questions concerning the event please let us know.

Joe Corbacio
Italian C.A.R.S.

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