Italian Cars and Coffee

The first Cars and Coffee meeting of the new year saw hundreds of cars swarm to Down Royal Race Course on Sunday 2 April. It was a bright, sunny day with little cloud in the sky and car owners must have been keen to get their cars out on the road after their winter hibernation.

The turnout alone was as good as I have seen it but the range of cars of all ages was pretty impressive too. There were a few that really caught my attention like a stunning E-type Jaguar, a couple of beautiful Mercedes Benz SL “Pagodas”, some immaculate Mk1 Escorts as well as a variety of other old British classics.

The Italian cars, did as usual, command much attention from the many people who were snapping photos on their phones as they wandered round.  The yellow Lamborghini Aventador LP 750 SV Roadster was perhaps the most photographed car but Patrick Hurst’s Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio also drew a crowd as they swarmed round the much acclaimed BMW M3 beater from Alfa.

The turnout from NIIMC members was pleasing with over a dozen members past and present there to talk motors and sniff exhaust fumes.

After the talking about cars seven intrepid club members set off for our first club run of the season. There were 4 Alfas, a Punto Evo Abarth Super Sport, a Ferrari 348 and two guys in a Lotus Evora who wanted to join us.

The line up was led by Alastair in his Alfasud Sprint and he set the pace on a series of challenging but entertaining country roads as we travelled from Down Royal to Nutts Corner and then on to Templepatrick. At that stage the pace was too much for Johnny in the Ferrari and he peeled off to head home. The remaining six headed on to Ballyclare, Larne and then back up the coast road to Carrick. It was a spirited run and despite our best efforts we couldn’t shake off the Lotus Evora boys (only joking Simon and Luke!!).

A late lunch was well deserved in Carrick and then everyone headed for home.

We are already looking forward to the next club run.

 

Tim Logan

Club Secretary