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A classic autumn Rallye followed by Pranzo Italiano at the tunato campagna DeWaele Sunday, October 14th
Please join us for an event that will tickle all the senses — the excitement of driving our Alfas, a treat for the palate, and stimulating conversation!
For those Alfisti coming from the north and east, the Rallye starting point happens to be on your way. It will be a nice way to enjoy a classic Tom Letourneau Rallye and to generate an appetite! The Rallye starting point is in the parking lot of Purgatory Chasm, a short distance south of the Mass Pike on Route 146. Take Exit #6 off of Route 146 from either the north or south and head west on Purgatory Road. The Purgatory Chasm entrance is a half mile down the road on the right. Use the Map & Directions button above for the info in GPSable form. Please note that there will be no coffee or donuts at the start, as we need get in and get out of Purgatory Chasm ASAP to avoid paying for parking. Also, as there are no gas stops along the route, those needing gas or an early morning coffee fix should stop first at Exit #4 of Route 146 (either direction) where there is a Shell gas station that sells Alfa Romeo Rallye Fuel, and within it a Dunkin Donuts. Arrival at Purgatory Chasm should be between 9:00 and 9:15AM. A short Driver's meeting will follow, with the first car off at 9:30AM promptly! The Rallye Route (37.5 miles from the start to the finish at the DeWaele Estate) will run through parts of The Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor, as the name of the event indicates. It will be all back roads with lots and lots of curves and waterfront! A section will take us down a road through the beautiful Douglas Forest, eventually leading us into Connecticut on the backside of Thompson Motorsports Park, where the Rallye will officially end. From there, it's a 15-minute jaunt to the DeWaeles' for lunch and relaxation. As is the custom with classic Tom Letourneau Rallyes, there'll be trophies! Here's what the first-place award looks like — a custom made, 15-inch long wooden model with the look of a 1930s Tourer, an engraved plaque on the top, and an Alfa badge on the grille:
The AROC tour starts in southeastern CT, in Jewett City, and makes it way north to the Woodstock area. For those Alfisti coming from points south this may be a nice way to travel north and to see some beautiful country. Check out the AROC-CT website for the details.
After each tour completes its Rallye, lunch at the DeWaele residence will start at 1:00PM and be available throughout the afternoon to accommodate a casual atmosphere and any slowpokes. Lunch under small tents alongside the cars on the lawn in perfect weather(!). Just picture it! We will hope for cooperative weather and are envisioning that we may need to adjust inside. In any event, please bring chairs (if they fit!) and your refreshment of choice.
As a bonus, we will be flying in Alfisti Extraordinaire Michael Donnelly and Peter Lombardo. These two fine gents will conduct a spirited conversation on many things Alfa, including vintage racing, life with Alfas and a look at the world of restoration! Michael has jumped into the world of vintage car restoration with both feet, recently announcing the opening of Paddock Classic Car Restoration in nearby New Britain, CT. And Peter has been wrenching and racing Alfas (and many other marques) at Lombardo Motorcars in Berlin, CT, for many years!
Please contact Jim at jimdewaele@cox.net or 781-929-6467 by the end of the day Thursday (the 11th) to confirm the Rallye and lunch and to let us know how many, in total, are visiting. Please don't feel bashful about inviting other Alfisti — just let us know the number! For anyone coming to lunch but not driving the Rallye (shame on you!), directions to the DeWaele residence and the best local roads can be found here. Hope to see you all and to celebrate everyone's events and efforts during 2018!
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