Roamin' Chariots Winter 2005 Issue


Official Newsletter of the Midwest's Premier Car Club of Popular Italian Cars
	By Ron Conlon

Winter 2005

Italian CarFest

The Roamin' Chariots have been going to this great event since it was started 3 years ago and it just gets better. I won't attempt to cover the whole event but will show some pictures of the RC members who attended. Bob Dezzany and Jerry Lee Philips deserve credit for creating Italian Carfest. There is an obvious need in the Dallas area and it attracts a good audience. This year the emphasis of the show seemed to drift toward more modern high dollar Italian cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini but the organizers were quick to recognize this and expect a better blend of vintage and modern next year. All styles of Italian cars are important to the show and our continued support will only make it better.

My trip there started poorly with a mishap when I blew a tire on I-35 which had to be replaced in Grapevine but ended well with being asked to man the prize table and giving stuff away always makes me happy.

Toly Arutunoff brought a rare Café Racer Ron Conlon (the editor)

Delmer Teet (2^nd place Lancia) and the Blessings brought Scorpions

Jim Chandler took a first with his Lancia Fulvia Zagato

For more photos and information go here:

http://italiancarfest.com/

http://photographybygeorge.smugmug.com/gallery/787433/1

Giro dell' Arkansas

This October we again went looking for exciting routes in the area of northwest Arkansas and Ben Johnson accommodated us admirably. He hosted the dozen cars and occupants at his parents' farm for breakfast and dinner as well as mapping a serpentine drive through the Boston Mountains to lunch at a sandwich stop. This was one of best events of this year with the focus on driving and people. Cars got down and dirty and tires warmed to the task of spirited gear changes and finding a good line through the corners.

The day started in foggy autumn weather and warmed to a glorious top down afternoon by lunchtime. Even the drive home on Sunday was a 4200 rpm romp to stay up with Csaba on the interstate.

Delmer, Ron, Jim Wagner, John Williams Len Holland

John Williams Dale and Ron over Csaba's and Jim Brown's

In front of Toly's Ben's blue

Ben's collection is ever evolving and the barn is full of parts

A Visit to Toly's

On way back to Norman from Arkansas several travelers from our fall run stopped over in Tulsa to see Toly Arutunoff's fine collection of cars and have lunch. Toby Smith (Multipla owner) met us there. Toly has raced throughout the world in any number of events and cars since the early days of sports car competitions. He still is very active as a driver and writer/speaker. The term "gentleman racer" comes to mind. The collection is well housed behind the pool with walls covered in memorabilia. Our task was to roll the cars out of the building to make way for an evening party. Each car has a unique story of when and where Toly campaigned or purchased it. We just touched on parts of this history.