Prez Says
2025 CAROC Banquet Recap
I would like to extend my thanks to Tony, et al, for making Saturday’s banquet such a success. A special thanks to those who contributed to the door prize table as it was overlooked
due to our concentration on convention planning.
We had nearly 40 attendees, including our local regulars as well as Dennis Rickets from Iowa. One nice thing about the banquet is we get to see some of the family members we don’t see on a regular basis. Thanks to all for making it a nice evening. As always, Canta Napoli puts on a nice spread and the food was plentiful and excellent.
Congratulations go to Daniel Escauriza for his enthusiastic commitment to his budding racing career. Daniel was a most deserving recipient of the Tazio Nuvolari Award for 2024. The Nuvolari Award goes to the member who distinguishes himself or herself in the track/racing arena. I also understand Daniel is “apprenticing” with the master, Mike Besic in constructing his own race engine. Mike may be training his newest competition.
Then we have Steve Crowley, who has established our first known dynasty in the annual awards division. Though one might consider it a somewhat dubious distinction, Steve has blessed us with winning the “Go For Broke” award for the third time overall and second consecutive year. In case you are unaware, the “Go For Broke” award goes to the member who, through no fault of his own or sometimes though his own fault, incurs a significant expense in maintaining or repairing his car. Steve now is the proud owner of a white plaque displaying one rather mangled connecting rod. I suspect it’s already up on his living room wall. Go Steve and keep that checkbook stocked up.
Now, on to our summer events and the September, Where It All Began Convention. Volunteers welcome and needed.
Thank you.
Dennis
CAROC Pres.
3/31/25
CAROC Member Name Badges Available NOW
The Chicago Chapter is offering personalized AROC name tags to all members and spouses. There has been interest in badges for use at events such as the annual banquet, picnic, tours, monthly meetings and other events. The badges will assist in putting a name to familiar faces, and will be particularly useful for new and prospective members and guests.
Purchasing name badges is optional and will be made at a member’s request only. The cost is $12 per badge and sourced from a local supplier. We have negotiated a reduced rate of $10 per badge for the club’s first order which we hope will be enough to meet the supplier’s discount quantity. If you are interested in ordering a badge, it is a benefit to you and the club to place your order by Friday, March 10, 2023. We can obtain the lower price and have the badges available by the end of March. The badges are 1” x 3” with either a magnetic or pin fastener and appear as in the sample below. Please contact Greg Korak with any questions, and with your orders stating the first name, last name, and fastener preference (magnetic or pin) at greg.korak@gmail.com. The pin fastener is $1 less than the magnetic. Your badges will be available at the next event you attend (or we can send them to you).
Alfa Romeo Launches Classiche Heritage Program To Look After Its Most Iconic Cars
This move will ensure that icons like the 33 Stradale live on for decades to come.
Alfa Romeo is a brand steeped in history, with beautiful creations like the 33 Stradale, Spider, Montreal, Giulia, and 8C, to name a few.
The Italian brand is preparing for the future with the launch of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale, a new crossover with a bespoke hybrid drivetrain. Recently, it also launched a new brand identity and will now focus on being a luxury automaker, slowly moving away from its sporty reputation.
But Alfa Romeo is not quite ready to let go of its past. READ FULL ARTICLE
This move will ensure that icons like the 33 Stradale live on for decades to come.
Alfa Romeo is a brand steeped in history, with beautiful creations like the 33 Stradale, Spider, Montreal, Giulia, and 8C, to name a few.
The Italian brand is preparing for the future with the launch of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale, a new crossover with a bespoke hybrid drivetrain. Recently, it also launched a new brand identity and will now focus on being a luxury automaker, slowly moving away from its sporty reputation.
But Alfa Romeo is not quite ready to let go of its past. READ FULL ARTICLE
On Sunday September 25, 2022, your Board of Directors conducted the third of its 4 scheduled meetings for 2022. BoD members present at Panera Bread, 1603 N. Rand Road, Palatine were: Dennis Sbertoli, Cindy Bennett, Tony Cavaliere, Chip Van Sant and Robert Clauss. Marco Battistoni and Doug Clark had other commitments and could not attend. Wayne Seely, and Frank Fortuna also participated.
The next Board Meeting will be December 11, 2022 at the same location and we welcome any member’s attendance. Check the web site to verify location, manner and time. We truly want your input.
Thanks Dennis
CAROC\Mem-0991522
September BoD Minutes
READ PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES or Check out previous Prez Says announcements.
"Barb Carroll receiving her certificate of appreciation from Dennis Sbertoli"
Crowley 2L
Alfa Romeo: what's all the fuss about?
Roadster Salon, a great way to spend a Saturday
Many thanks to the guys at Roadster Salon for treating us to a couple hours at their shop on Saturday, September 29th. Ray and Robert were most accommodating in showing us their various works in progress including many Fiat 124s, ALFAs and a handful of Brits. It would seem the Fiats are their specialty but I saw some striking ALFA restorations.
In the early 1990's John Marchica started a small detail shop in Barrington called The Auto Spa. Auto Spa prospered and grew into a full fledged restoration shop. They do pretty much anything from interiors, cut and sewn on site, mechanical, electrical. You can even have your ride modernized to include the latest techno-gadgets such as a satellite controlled speedometer. Fortunately for the car guy world, John passed his passion for Italian aesthetics and design on to his son Ray. Since John’s passing in 2012 Ray and his wife have taken over and oversee every aspect of a restoration.
READ FULL ARTICLE | VIEW Gallery
Art and the Automobile 2018
A week ago, I ventured out to the Art and the Autmobile show in Palos Park, one of the southwest suburbs of Chicago. The drive into the area is a surprising change of scenery. Leaving the arrow straight roads of a mostly brick and concrete grid behind, you find yourself surrounded by greenery on roads that gently curve every so often. The claustrophobic effect of a flat, dense, urban terrain, gives way to lush greenery, and some actual hills believe it or not.
I had to start it off with this Alfa Romeo Duetto pictured below. In short, this car is the kind of perfection that anyone looking to build, restore, modify, resto-mod, whatever label you want to give it, should strive for. I had a chance to chat with the owner of this Duetto, Steve, who was happy to chat with me for a while about the car. It took many years, and much effort for him to end up with the car you see today, and he is clearly proud and happy with the results. Steve's vision for the Duetto, was not necessarily an all original restoration, but instead something of a resto-mod.
READ ALL THE DETAILS
Thanks for reading.
Dennis
March 16, 2018
Respectfully, Dennis M. Sbertoli
View archived notes from the Prez
A week ago, I ventured out to the Art and the Autmobile show in Palos Park, one of the southwest suburbs of Chicago. The drive into the area is a surprising change of scenery. Leaving the arrow straight roads of a mostly brick and concrete grid behind, you find yourself surrounded by greenery on roads that gently curve every so often. The claustrophobic effect of a flat, dense, urban terrain, gives way to lush greenery, and some actual hills believe it or not.
I had to start it off with this Alfa Romeo Duetto pictured below. In short, this car is the kind of perfection that anyone looking to build, restore, modify, resto-mod, whatever label you want to give it, should strive for. I had a chance to chat with the owner of this Duetto, Steve, who was happy to chat with me for a while about the car. It took many years, and much effort for him to end up with the car you see today, and he is clearly proud and happy with the results. Steve's vision for the Duetto, was not necessarily an all original restoration, but instead something of a resto-mod.
READ ALL THE DETAILS
Thanks for reading.
Dennis
March 16, 2018
Respectfully, Dennis M. Sbertoli
View archived notes from the Prez
If you have any questions call the local chapter hotline (708) 494-9287 and ask for Dennis
Alfa Romeo’s New Coupe Will Revive the GTV Name and Offer 600-Plus HP
If anything can live up to the legendary nameplate, this could be it.
The rumors of an Alfa Romeo Giulia coupe were enticing enough, but the reality has turned out to be so much better. Alfa’s new sporty coupe instead will wear the legendary GTV nameplate, which has adorned a number of the company’s two-door models over the years.
We expect the four-seat, two-door GTV to be positioned as a competitor to the BMW 4-series and the Audi A5, sacrificing a bit of its sedan counterpart’s practicality in the name of style. A teaser image released as part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ five-year plan shows a slinky silhouette, with a similar headlight shape as the Giulia but a more rakish roofline.
Lower-trim versions of the GTV are expected to share the Giulia’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations, but the real excitement comes in the form of the GTV Quadrifoglio. Alfa says it will have more than 600 horsepower thanks to an electrified powertrain (called E-Boost) that will offer all-wheel-drive capability and torque vectoring. This should put the GTV well above the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio in terms of performance, as both of those existing models use a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 good for 505 horsepower.
This is all shaping up to be a particularly seductive package, but you’re probably going to have to wait a bit for it. Alfa doesn’t say when the GTV will officially arrive. Previous reports suggested the Giulia coupe would join the lineup this year, but the fact that the GTV Quadrifoglio will use a new hybrid powertrain likely means it will be further off than that. Still, the return of such a storied nameplate certainly is worth celebrating, and we eagerly await more information.
FCA to Buy, Restore, and Sell Classic Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Lancias, and Abarths
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) may want your classic Italian car. The automaker has just launched a new initiative, Reloaded by Creators, that aims to buy, restore, and sell some of the most significant vehicles from the company’s history. Focusing on Italian brands (the company has shown no interest in your slant-six Plymouth Valiant), the project aims to bring Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Lancias, and Abarths back to life while building the company’s own collection of historic cars.- This is the default HTML.
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The Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio
Enzo Ferrari, during his employment at Alfa Romeo, encouraged his friend Ugo Sivocci to follow him there. Together they joined with two others - Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Cam-pari - to form the four legendary Alfa Romeo factory race car drivers.
Of the four, Sivocci was quick, but rarely won races. It seemed he just had bad luck. Out of frustration, in advance of the 1923 Targa Florio, he painted a lucky symbol on the hood of his RL: a green four-leaf clover on a white diamond background. He won the race, and believed now that his luck had turned due to his "Quadrifoglio".
Later in the year, he was tragically killed while practicing for the Grand Prix at Monza in the newly designed P1. Ironically, he had not yet had an opportunity to paint his good luck Quadrifoglio on this car.
Alfa Romeo recognized this tragic loss by retiring his car's number - 17 -which has never appeared on a factory race car since.
The four corners of the white diamond where said to represent these four famous piloti. With Sivocci's un-timely death, one point of the diamond was removed, creating the triangle, which remains to this day as an integral part of the Quadrifoglio badging, appearing on competition cars for the last 95 years.
All-new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Wins Three Awards from the Texas Auto Writers Association
The all-new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was crowned "Car of Texas" and also took home honors for "Performance Sedan of Texas" and "Most Drives" at the Texas Auto Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
If interested or if you have any comments or complaints, drop me a note at: dsbert4978@aol.com
D e n n i s
Enzo Ferrari, during his employment at Alfa Romeo, encouraged his friend Ugo Sivocci to follow him there. Together they joined with two others - Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Cam-pari - to form the four legendary Alfa Romeo factory race car drivers.
Of the four, Sivocci was quick, but rarely won races. It seemed he just had bad luck. Out of frustration, in advance of the 1923 Targa Florio, he painted a lucky symbol on the hood of his RL: a green four-leaf clover on a white diamond background. He won the race, and believed now that his luck had turned due to his "Quadrifoglio".
Alfa Romeo recognized this tragic loss by retiring his car's number - 17 -which has never appeared on a factory race car since.
The four corners of the white diamond where said to represent these four famous piloti. With Sivocci's un-timely death, one point of the diamond was removed, creating the triangle, which remains to this day as an integral part of the Quadrifoglio badging, appearing on competition cars for the last 95 years.
All-new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Wins Three Awards from the Texas Auto Writers Association
The all-new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was crowned "Car of Texas" and also took home honors for "Performance Sedan of Texas" and "Most Drives" at the Texas Auto Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
If interested or if you have any comments or complaints, drop me a note at: dsbert4978@aol.com
D e n n i s
Make Your Ears Love You Again By Letting Them Experience Six Minutes of Bliss
Road & Track published BY TRAVIS OKULSKI APR 5, 2018You might not realize it, but your ears hate you. Listen to this to remind them that they shouldn't hate you.
Your ears hate you. The people you talk to have grating voices and bad opinions. You shove poorly shaped ear buds in them for hours on end to listen to music that should legally be considered trash. They're full of wax that you neglect to clean. They're dying for you to be nice to them. To do something that'll remind them that you need them, that they're loved.
Well, here's the solution: six minutes of Alfa Romeo 155 touring car sounds. That's it. No political agenda. No bass beat that's too loud. No Q-Tip puncturing your ear drum. Just the mellifluous sounds of an Alfa Romeo driving around the hills of Italy at full chat. An orchestra of smooth loveliness that will remind your ears why they listen to all the other crap you force them to hear. And a noise that'll make them want to stay around for years to come.
So, please, listen to this and let your ears experience pure bliss.
