ABOUT US

1995 - The Foundation Is Laid

The committee for 1995 consisted of the following members:

• Dolf vd Walt - Chairman
• Linda Parkinson - Secretary
• Hein Prinsloo - Editor
• Chris Swanepoel - Treasurer
• Jaco Jacobs - Events Organiser

The newsletter was published on a monthly basis and the local magazine Auto Italiana was distributed to members. A proper constitution was drawn up and the club affiliated to ARCSA and SAMCA. The first scrap book was also started. The foundation was also laid for yearly events such as Cars in the Park, skidpan and away weekends. A member of the month and "Booby' trophy was introduced. Gerhard Stoltz won the trophy for member of the year.

1996 - The Boosted Membership

The committee for 1996 consisted of the following members:

• Gerhard Stoltz - Chairman
• Linda Parkinson - Secretary
• Chris Swanepoel - Treasurer
• Piet Bredenkamp - Events Organiser
• Dolf vd Walt - Editor

Alfa Romeo was officially back in the country through Automakers and the new range of Alfa Romeos became available country-wide through the network of Nissan dealers. This boosted membership close to 50 paid-up members and the first members driving the new models joined the club. Events were organized on a monthly basis and were well attended. It was during this time that the monthly raffle was introduced which has become an institution. Apart from the regular fare, some pretty valuable memorabilia have been offered as prizes. The first weekend run was organized in October 1996 to Graskop and the foundation was laid for future memorable away weekends. Funds were raised via a separate raffle with the result that the club could sponsor part of the costs. A wide variety of events were organized and the year-end function was also instituted. Tienie Hay won the member of the year trophy.

1997 - The First Weekend Run

The committee for 1997 consisted of the following members:

• Gerhard Stoltz - Chairman
• Lydia Stoltz - Secretary
• René Thiart - PRO
• Chris Swanepoel - Treasurer
• Johan Alberts - Events Organiser
• Dolf vd Walt - Editor

For the first time it was decided to co-opt members to the committee to assist with events. Tienie Hay assisted with events and Carl van Blerk assisted with regalia. The first weekend run was to Stokkiesdraai Resort near Naboomspruit and the catering was provided by Johan and Marie Alberts was something to write home about. Definitely another memorable weekend. Other events included a go-kart challenge, gymkhana, treasure hunt organized by MJM and other regular events. The golf-day organized by our PRO was another first and funds were aised for the beach run later in the year.

This was certainly the highlight of 1997, judging by the comments from members who made the trip down to St Lucia. The setting and accommodation could not be better and the mode of transport legendary. This year also saw the paid-up membership top the fifty mark for the first time. The club had by now been clearly accepted as part of the PMC family and a special corner was established in the club house complete with notice board and Allfa Romeo Club of Pretoria banner.. It has also become clear that the poor barperson of PMC has reconciled to the fact that Alfisti will lock up long after he has left on noggin nights because you have to drag them out after midnight and send them on their way. The club also obtained a unique emblem thanks to the efforts of hans swart . This emblem is now incorporated into the membership card , banner, letterheads, newsletter and club regalia such as t-shirts and caps. A quarterly newsletter with colour cover also saw the light of day and aptly christened "Forza Alfisti" and the normal newsletter "Veloce". Martin Truter won the member of the year trophy.

1998 - The First Weekend Away

The committee for 1998 consisted of the following members:

• Gerhard Stoltz - Chairman
• Madelene Badenhorst - Secretary
• Marius van Schalkwyk - PRO
• Chris Swanepoel - Treasurer
• Whitey vd Linde - Events Organiser
• Dolf vd Walt - Editor

Once again members were co-opted to the committee namely Markus Scheepers as assistant to the PRO, Jacobus Vermeulen as assistant to the treasurer to handle regalia. Hans swart as co-editor and Cecile vd Linde as assistant to the events organiser. The events organiser resigned early in the year and Dolf vd Walt stood in and Hans took over as editor. The first weekend away took us to the Free State at the Kroonpark Resort in Kroonstad. This proved to be an excellent venue but the weather put a damper on this one. The second weekend away was in the Drakensberg at Dragons peak and proved to be a winner. The accommodation was acceptable and the stunning setting made this another memorable run. Other runs worth mentioning is the go-kart challenge, treasure hunt, braai with the Jhb-club and for the first time a Spit n Polish. Paid-up members also topped the sixty mark for the first time. René Thiart won the trophy for member of the year.

2000 - Well Attended And Lively

The committee for 2000 consisted of the following members:

• Gerhard Stoltz - Chairman
• Rebecca Prinsloo - Secretary
• Robbie Stutterheim - PRO
• Jacobus Vermeulen - Treasurer
• David Boyes - Competition Events
• Danie and Trudie Jacobs - Social Events
• Dolf vd Walt - Editor

The dreaded Y2K disaster never materialized and everything carried on as normal. ARCOP settled very nicely in the new clubhouse and the club was actually commended by other clubs on our well attended and lively monthly meetings. It turned out to be another great year as far as events were concerned. We kicked off with a display at Midas Centurion , one of our new sponsors. The first weekend away was to Graskop, needless to say another super event. The next outing was another first , a skidpan and high-speed run at Gerotek especially enjoyed by all the speed freaks. The Spit n Polish has been accepted as an annual event and the trophies sponsored by MJM. Another new event was the Carousel Casino show day and go-kart challenge and the hill climb was held at Gerotek. The event of the year was certainly the weekend at Scottburgh on the South Coast. The venue was excellent as well as the catering and the setting on the beach the cherry on top. The year ended with a great party true to the high standard and smooth organisation that became the benchmark of our event organizers. A trophy for committee member of the year was introduced and won by Robbie Stutterheim. Chris Swanepoel won the trophy for member of the year.

2001 - The Club's 10th Year

The committee for 2001 consisted of the following members:

• Andre Stander - Chairman
• Vincent Gieselbach - Membership Affairs
• Robbie Stutterheim - PRO
• Johan Stutterheim - Treasurer
• David Boyes - Competition Events
• Dolf vd Walt - Editor

The year 2001 dawned as the club's 10th year and proved to be another great year. Things got going as early as January with the first noggin and the Bonamanzi run in February. The first weekend away was to Wees Gerus and turned out to be memorable as in the past. Another first was the run to the Jakaranda Children's Home which included a couple of manne from the Ferrari Club. Cars in the Park and the skidpan day at Gerotek had an excellent turnout and the Carousel show day and go-kart challenge became an annual event. The year ended on a high note at Bundu inn with the AGM and end of the year party combined. The 10th anniversary of the club was also celebrated. A total of 86 people including some of our sponsors and staff from FASA attended. The following members received a commemorative jacket for 10 year membership. Chris Swanepoel, Gerhard Stoltz, Francois Vermeulen and Dolf vd Walt. Robbie Stutterheim won the member of the year trophy and Andre Stander, committee member of the year.