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 Owner's Club News

Cortile della Corsa 2019: Convention Venues Preview

3/1/2019

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By Enrique Zuniga
Cortile Italian Car Show
The "Winners Circle" outside the Pittsburgh Golf Club at the Cortile Italian Car Show. Winning Cars back up the red tope area.
Even as a convention advisor it is not often that one has an opportunity to visit the venues of an upcoming convention, so when I received an invite to attend an evening convention planning meeting late last fall, I did not hesitate… and the visit quickly became an overnight stay at the convention hotel with a preview of what was in the works for our annual AROC gathering.

I fired up the Spider engine at 5am on the day of the meeting, setting off for the six-hour drive from northern NJ to Pittsburgh via the route with the most curves – the one that cuts through the mountains, of course… It’s always a joy to hear the engine purr turn into a roar as the nimble bella macchina cuts through the curves and cold morning air as the sun keeps rising.

Despite the forecasted possible rain that materialized into a full snow for forty-five minutes, I made it on time to the first venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Cranberry hotel.
Doubletree Hilton Lobby
The Doubleetree Hilton host hotel features an 4 story open atrium. This it a photo showing about 1/4 of the the space!
Upon exiting the Spider I met my host: convention organizer and Pittsburgh chapter secretary, and 2019 Convention Chairman, Bernie Martin. I had spoken with Bernie many times over the phone and via video conference, but this was the first time we got to shake hands. As we stepped into the hotel lobby, I was taken in by the spacious feel and natural bright light afforded by the modern, totally open, layout.

The lobby, lounge, dining room and bar are completely unobstructed from any view point and the elevator’s glass wall allows for panoramic observation while riding up five stories. As we toured the hotel’s meeting rooms and business facilities, I took note of the gym, as well as an indoor pool and another pool outdoors. My room was impeccable, and my overnight stay would turn out to be most pleasant.
Pitt Race Complex
When we exited the hotel, Bernie pointed out that we were only 20 minutes from the second venue on our list: Pittsburgh International Race Complex. This re-modeled site offers perhaps the most comfortable setting we’ve ever had for our traditional Track Day. 

In addition to the expected driver and meeting room facilities we will have access to the air-conditioned VIP area which is often used to host large dinners and gatherings. I can see many of us enjoying a drink in total comfort while watching the competition taking place on the track below.

We will be running on a 1.6 mile course with 13 turns and exiting changes in elevation. As the track manager drove us around the course a few times, with the fun meter revving high, we commented on the opportunity for every AROC convention attendee to drive this course through what I am calling an Enhanced Parade Laps Experience.

Our traditional Autocross will also take place at the track premises. With the largest
paved area for an autocross that I have ever seen at a convention, this is a course
designer’s dream. Seasoned competitors and their cars will have ample staging room.
Furthermore, we will have a low-key staging area for a Novice Only group. As a full
motor sports facility, this complex also has a Go-Kart course. Karting has become very
popular because it is a blast and the course will be open during our Track Day.
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The third venue stop was Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. From the onset, an evening at Jergel’s has been an enthusiastic component of the vision for this convention. Upon reading the website description however, “Jergel's Rhythm Grille" offers a unique live music experience in the Pittsburgh area with a 600-person capacity, full restaurant menu, cigar bar and patio!”. 

My vision was that of crowded bar, with loud music that made it impossible to communicate without screaming and appealing only to a very young age group.

Well, I could not have been more wrong. First, the setting is impressive and enormous. The pictures on the web do not do it justice. In the main floor, off to the side, there is a very cool looking and inviting oval bar with comfortable seating for at least 100 people. Yes, I counted!

The well-thought out bar area is not just generously spacious all around, but it does not collide in the least with the stage and main viewing area in front of the stage. In addition to the first floor, there is the even better second floor, which is the one negotiated for our convention. It is accessible via stairs or elevator, as the Jergel’s manager giving us the walk through pointed out.
Our convention will have full and exclusive access to the second floor, which has capacity for 250 people. The second floor has a square opening that overlooks the first floor, including the stage. The opening is built with a ledge for drinks and food and furnished with 60 plus chairs, each of which provide a front row seat to the stage below.

This floor also has an inviting bar, off to the side, with comfortable seating for 45 people. Furthermore, almost an entire wall of the second floor is lined with large booths and there are plenty of tables arranged throughout. I can honestly say that my vision of a crowded room was replaced with the reality of an easy-to-walk-around-and-mingle adult setting. Two-hundred and fifty of us will fit nicely and none of us will have to fight for a chair.

At this point it was clear that Jergel’s has a great setting, good food, drinks and reasonable prices, but I still had to ask about having to scream over music in order to communicate?

As it turns out, Bernie was already several steps ahead of me. The evening reserved for the convention features the music of accomplished musicians "Three Car Garage" who have already been selected and confirmed specifically by our chapter hosts.   We will be on the second floor enjoying a lovely evening, and others not associated to our convention may also enjoy our evening, but from the first floor only.

Last, the main parking lot in front of the entrance has been reserved for Alfa Romeo cars only.
Alfa Romeo Pittsburgh Golf Club
The last venue we visited was the Pittsburgh Golf Club, founded in 1896. The convention will hold a Friday dinner at the Club as well as Car Show and Concours weekend. As expected, the grounds are beautiful, the place is immaculate, and classy with a sophisticated vintage feel. Our Alfas will feel very much at home in such elegant premises.

After a very full day, Bernie and I returned to the convention hotel for a full planning meeting. I got to meet some great AROC members. The majority were from the Pittsburgh chapter, of course, but there were other volunteers from neighboring chapters as well. A lot was discussed, but it is very important to note that while our convention is taking place, the city of Pittsburgh will be hosting the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, a major charity event which includes two weekends of historic races.

Our host AROC chapter, Three Rivers Alfisti, has been proudly participating heavily in the PVGP event for many years. While our convention is a distinct event, with activities open to AROC members only, the Car Show and Concours weekend will take place within the PVGP setting, which also includes spectating the historic races that take place on that weekend.

Furthermore, Alfa Romeo has been named as one of two featured marques of this year’s PVGP, and therefore AROC convention attendees may register for overlapping activities. All PVGP historic Alfa Romeo racers, AROC members or not, will be staying at the convention hotel.

The following morning, I got into the Spider for the drive back to northern NJ. This time however, hoping to avoid another unpredicted snow storm, I opted for the reliable, albeit boring, interstate highways. The interstates have these wonderful easy-to-read and up-to-the-minute informative electronic boards. As I drove these kept displaying a warning for “POSSIBLE EXTREME WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS”… Thankfully those conditions never materialized, and I was able to think about my Pittsburgh visit and enjoy the notion that we are going to have a great convention!
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2019 Alfa Romeo Convention Hotel Reservations

2/1/2019

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The glass elevator and seating area under a four story enclosed atrium that also has a bar and restaurant
By Enrique Zuniga

The hotel for the 2019 National Convention is The DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh – Cranberry. The negotiated rate is $119 per night. We cannot emphasize how important it is to book your hotel room early.

The Three Rivers Alfisti convention organizers have arranged for the entire hotel to be Alfa Romeo. All AROC convention attendees, as well as any and all Alfa Romeo vintage racers, and any Alfa VIPs attending activities related to historic racing will be staying at this hotel. All hotel parking lots will be for Alfas. (RVs and trailers are welcome, but please contact the convention in advance.)

It is paramount to realize that the all Alfa hotel is predicated on early bookings. All hotels only make money when their rooms are full, and they will not risk not having their rooms sold out. Hence, they monitor bookings months in advance.

If for whatever reason attendees are not reserving rooms, the hotel will simply market our projected-but- unreserved rooms to other groups or individuals. If an attendee waits too long and cannot book a negotiated-rate reservation, it hurts in two ways:
  1. The attendee will have to pay a higher, non-negotiated, rate at the convention hotel or at an alternate hotel, and
  2. The convention doesn’t get hotel credit for filling the higher-rate room. Hotel credits are important because the hotel provides meeting rooms at a discount and free guest room amenities based on the number of nights that are filled.

Make reservations via this link on the Convention website or directly with Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton
910 Sheraton Drive
Mars, PA 16046
Tel: 1-724-776-6900
Please mention that the group discount is under "Cortile Della Corsa"
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The Cortile della Corsa Logo Unveiled!

1/5/2019

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Last June we announced that Dwight Knowlton was selected as our logo artist for the upcoming Cortile della Corsa AROC convention in 2019.  We are excited to release the final logo design !

We are now working on the new gear that will be available for pre-purchase prior to the convention.  We whould be making those announcements next, so watch this space!

See Dwight Knowlton Selected as Logo Artist for the Cortile della Corsa
for more information.
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Kelly Telfer selected as The Poster Artist for the Cortile della Corsa Convention

12/12/2018

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Kelly Telfer has been been selected at the featured artist to create the Cortile della Corsa poster for the 2019 Alfa Romeo Owner's Club Convention and the Spotlight Car for the 2019 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.
Kelly attended his first car race at age four. His  parents took his  brother, sister and him to Laguna Seca Raceway in 1959 in thier 1952 MGTD. Kelly still has the poster. that's when he got the bug.

Kelly and his brother started racing VW’s at Fremont Raceway when he was 15 years old, then later Super Modifieds at San Jose Fairgrounds Speedway.
Dan Delbianco Kelly Telfer Bernard Martin PRI 2018 Cortile della Corsa Poster
Dan Delbianco, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, poster artist Kelly Telfer, and Bernard Martin, Managing Director of the Cortile and Convention Director for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club 2019 Convention, the "Cortile della Corsa" at the 2018 PRI Show.
, aKelly designed and printed their race team shirts and soon, everybody else wanted him to design their shirts!  He started a T-shirt company, O.Tee Shirts, when he was 20 years old- based on his original art and new-found race contacts.

It turned into one of the largest T-shirt companies specializing in motorsports in the country. Over the next couple of decades, Kelly created art and apparel for many top racers, tracks, and manufacturers; including Mears, Andretti, Petty, Earnhardt, Senna, Mansell, the Daytona 500, Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey Historics, Long Beach Grand Prix, Indy 500, Monaco F1, as well as Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, NASCAR, Indy Car and F1. 

Be sure and check out Kelly's website, Kelly Telfer's Fine Art, and learn about his Ambush Art.  We should be making an announcement regarding the poster art sometime in February or March.
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Alleys, Axles & Ales 2018

8/8/2018

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Make plans now to join us in Allegheny West in Pittsburgh's Historic North Side.
Three Rivers Alfisiti Alleys Axles Ales
A Walking Tour of Historic Allegheny West, Pittsburgh, PA�
Saturday, September 29, 2018
11 am – 5:00 pm

Featuring a Tour of Historic GARAGES - BEER Tastings - Ultimate CAR Shows
-Explore Allegheny West on a self-guided walking tour.
-Gaze at fabulous cars on display in 8-10 different locations.
-Sample 6 local craft brews.
-Enjoy refreshments from a local food truck.
-Stroll through the back streets of Allegheny West.
-Be amazed at the Nationally-awarded Concours Jaguars.
-Chat with owners and other car enthusiasts in garages and courtyards of Allegheny West.

Tour Tickets & Information
$25 in advance | $30.00 at the door | $10 under 21
Ticket includes craft beer tastings at 6 different stops and a $5 food voucher for food from Northside's own Neumann and Marley's Food Truck. Bring a classic or exotic car and ticket cost is $25 at the door.

Cars ‘n Coffee @ 9:00
Join us before your garage tour for some classic and exotic car networking on Saturday morning 700 block of Brighton Road. Bring your own classic, modern or exotic car and mingle with other car collectors. Cost to display your car at Cars 'n Coffee is $15 -or- an Alleys, Axles, and Ales Tour Ticket.

The historic homes of Allegheny West on Brighton Road will provide a beautiful backdrop to feature the Jaguar Club of Pittsburgh Concours d’Elegance cars. Nationally-awarded Jaguars will be on display.
  • Hosted by Allegheny West Civic Council
  • Benefits Pittsburgh's Allegheny Commons Park Renovation Project
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Dwight Knowlton Selected as Logo Artist for the Cortile della Corsa

6/27/2018

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Three Rivers Alfisti is excited to announce that Dwight Knowlton has been selected as the artist to develop the logo for the Cortile della Corsa AROC convention in July 2019. 

Dwight is the author of The Little Red Racing Car, a father son story about a Maserati race car car restoration as well as The Greatest Race ,which is the story of Sir Stirling Moss’s record setting 1955 win of Italy’s great race, the Mille Miglia, and his most recent book, The Small Silver Speedster, about a father and daughter who fly to New York City to pick up their new Porsche 356 Speedster from Max Hoffman’s iconic dealership.
Bernard Martin and Dwight are now discussing some design concepts that embody the racing, the driving and the design beauty the is espoused by the Alfa Romeo brand. 

Look for an announcement of the logo design in Late December/ Early January!
Cortile della Corsa Logo Concepts
Dwight Knowlton book signing
When my son was born, I went looking for a father, son, car book for the two of us to enjoy – a book that could help me introduce him to the love of cars. I couldn’t find what I was looking for – so I decided to create one. The Little Red Racing Car is a gift for my son – and for everyone that loves cars, family, and vintage artistic style.
The Little Red Racing Car has been featured in various articles and interviews including Road&Track, MotorTrend, Sports Car Digest, and more.  It’s no wonder Yahoo Autos raves it’s “The Best Kids’ Car Book Ever.”
Dwight is a dad, husband, and passionate car guy. According to Dwight “eight months of the year, I drive with the top down. I live in sunny Phoenix, AZ with my wife, son, and daughter. We share the house with our dog Tess and an occasional scorpion. 
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The Alfa Romeo Logo

4/11/2018

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When Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910, draughtsman Romano Cattaneo came up with the company’s logo based on a crest he saw in Milan above the door of Castello Sforzesco.

Being that the company was founded in Milan, a symbol representative of the city seemed appropriate. Designer Giuseppe Merosi helped turn the idea into Alfa Romeo’s official emblem.

Apart from some minor tweaks with the wording, gold trim, and wreath appearance over the years, the design has remained fairly consistent.
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Milano Coat of Arms
The left side of the emblem is a red cross over a white background–a medieval Christian symbol. During the Crusades, Milanese soldiers associated with Giovanni of Rho donned a red cross and white undergarments beneath their armor.

Giovanni of Rho is known for leading an army to the Holy Land and for erecting a cross on the walls of Jerusalem during the first crusade.

This image could be considered the Cross of St Ambrose or St. George’s Cross.

The right side of the Alfa Romeo emblem contains the biscione, also known as viper, which is a azure serpent in the act of consuming a human. It was the emblem of the House of Visconti from the 11th century, becoming associated with Milan as the Visconti gained control over the city in 1277.

When the Visconti family died out in the 15th century, the emblem retained its association with the Duchy of Milan and became part of the coats of arms of the House of Sforza.
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Where the biscione symbol itself comes from and what it means has been a subject of ongoing debate for over a century. Here are some leading theories:
  • It refers to a local legend of a dragon which tormented the land in the fifth century and was slaughtered by Uberto, Squire of Angera.
  • It’s the crest used by archbishop Ottone Visconti when leading crusaders into battle against Saracens (Syrians/Muslims) during the first crusade, a Biblical symbol of divine protection.
  • It’s the crest on the shield of the nomadic Saracen knight Visconti defeated, which he took with him as proof of his victory.
  • The serpent represents the House of Visconti’s itself, a symbol meant to seem intimidating to others.
  • The serpent is orally giving birth to a human being, coming out a “new man, purified and renewed,” just as the creature itself is one of renewal through skin-shedding (according to Alfa Romeo representatives).
  • It represents the snakes Lombards wore around their necks for good luck.
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As was mentioned above, over the years since Alfa Romeo was founded the marques' logo has undergone only minor changes and has remained loyal to the original design.

There was an almost 50  year period where a wreath was added, then  nearly removed and added back for a to reflect the Roman wreath of victory. Some say that this was the time period when Alfa Romeo won it's most racing laurels.

The red cross on a field of white on the right hand side  of the logo has essentially remained unchanged.
The biscione has undegone minor changes with the green snake becoming larger and smaller over time with slight changes to its' body thickness.  The human being consumes by the Viper has become less recognixable over time.
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Cortile della Corsa

2/14/2018

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In January Bernard martin presented a proposal to the Alfa Romeo Owners Club Board of Directors that the Three Rivers Alfisti chapter of AROC would host the 2019 AROC Convention at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix's Cortile Italian Car Show where the TRA was founded in July 2017.

Our Club presented some rather unique ideas for the convention:
  • It would start with a Board meeting on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, which is one day earlier that most recent conventions, so that AROC members could particpate in the PVGP parade into the city with a special AROC display at Point State Park where the headwaters of the Ohio river begins with the convergence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers.
  • It's theme would have a racing focus. Called the "Cortile della Corsa," translated as the  "Courtyard of Racing," it's  the first time the the entire theme of an AROC convention in North America is going to pay homage to the incredible racing pedigree that IS Alfa Romeo.
  • It would include, for the first time, the vintage Alfa Romeo Racers who would be competing on the race track against their historical rivals on the track.

  • It promises to be THE MOST centrally located of any AROC Convention that has ever been held.  Pittsburgh is within 500 miles of 2/3 of the population of the United States and Canada and that saem radius picks up nearly 1/2 of all of the Alfa Romeo Oweners Club chapters in the United States
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The Board voted unanimously to hold the convention in Pittsburgh. Our next step is to start to revise the initial planning in more detail.  The complete presentation is below and can also be found on our YouTube Channel.
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"Buone Feste" 2018 at Sienna on the Square

1/24/2018

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Alfa Romeo Buone Feste 2018 Sienna on the Square
TRA Members where able to experience luxury while helping parents and families in need this past holiday season.

The folks from Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo invited TRA members to Sienna on the Square on December 14 from 12:00-2:00pm to enjoy Italian cuisine, live music by Christina Chirumbolo, and test drive one the new Alfa Romeo Giulia's or Stelvio's.

For every test drive, Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo donated $20 to Christopher’s Kitchen.

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Alfa Romeo’s Holiday Luncheon & Charity Fundraiser for Christopher's Kitchen

12/2/2017

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Three Rivers Alfisti club members have been graciously extended an invitation to participate in an Alfa Romeo Holiday Luncheon on December 14, 2017 at Sienna on the Square in Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh.
There is only room for 50 people so you MUST RSVP at the link below to attend.
Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo has announced a partnership with Christopher’s Kitchen this holiday season as part of a year-end initiative to give back to the Pittsburgh community. 
​
Christopher’s Kitchen is a newly established local non-profit dedicated to nourishing the families and caregivers of children admitted into Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

​Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo is hosting a Holiday Luncheon benefiting Christopher’s Kitchen:
  • Thursday, December 14th
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm
  • Sienna On The Square.​
Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo Holiday Luncheon
Space is LIMITED.  You MUST RSVP to attend.  No Walk-ins are going to be permitted.  Please use the button button to make your reservation.
I Will Attend
If you would like to make a donation to Christopher's Kitchen you can do it at the event or you can click the link above to make a direct donation via their website.
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