ItalFest2007-a prologue to the first Balkan meeting
Somewhere around Stara Zagora....a sunny Saturday morning…an empty airfield…and a kilometre-long column of beautiful Italian cars, all fast approaches the deserted complex. This was the beginning of Italfest 2007, and event organised by Club Alfa Romeo Bulgaria.
Stara Zagora is situated in central Bulgaria and features wide fields and beautiful mountains. It was chosen to host the fourth national Bulgarian fair of owners' and fans' of the Italian cars. The official start of the program was planned for 11 AM but the cars filled the airfield from 2 hours earlier at least. The sight of the approaching Italian cars can not be described with words, you really have to see and feel it.
The official opening of the program, was by tradition, was announced by the president of the Club Alfa Romeo Bulgaria – Petko Simeonov. He welcomed the Alfisti – over 300 cars and 1000 fans. The program of Italfest 2007 started with “Optical Tuning” competition won by and Alfa Romeo GTV. In second place was ranked an Alfa Romeo 33. Before the fans could take a breath started the “Audio & Video” contest. The ground was shaking under the tyres from the beats of the cars. These two competitions were only for warming up the atmosphere for the real “battle”.
After a short break the cars were lined up ready to start the drag races. The competitors were separated in 3 classes: Class 1 (the lowest class) was reserved for cars with engines up to 1800cm3 and diesels with engines up to 1900cm3 without modifications. The winner of this class was Ivailo Ninov with Alfa Romeo Sprint 1.7 who beat cars like Alfa Romeo 145s in a great battle. Class 2 (the middle class) was cars with engines between 1900mc3 and 2500cm3, cars with engines up to 1600cm3 with turbo chargers, and diesels with engines up to 2400cm3 without modifications. After many starts and eliminations the winner was Iliya Jordanov driving an Alfa Romeo 146 TI. Class 3 (the upper class) was exclusively for cars with engines of more than 2500cm3, cars with engines of more than 1800cm3 with turbo chargers, and diesels with engines of more 2400cm3 with modifications. It was no surprise that the winner was an interloper: Tenyo Tenev at the wheel of a Lancia Delta Integrale.
After the official end of the drag races everyone was able to test their own car on the track against the stopwatch. And just when everybody was pumped full of adrenalin, Simeonov announced the start of the “Master Driving” competition. The special track was very hard with many turns and narrow sections. After many starts, many disturbed cones, and breath-stopping finishes, the winner was Jivko Tonev with an Alfa Romeo 155. All the winners in the competitions were rewarded by the sponsors, Vanto Trade Auto, MD rent a car ,and T&N Car.
During the evening it was party time. Just in a few kilometres from Stara Zagora, in the mountains, is situated one of the most beautiful areas in Bulgaria – the mineral baths of Stara Zagora. The official dinner of Italfest 2007 took place in a hotel hidden in the woods. The evening didn’t step back from the day – it was full of competitions and games. On that night was also chosen Miss Italfest 2007. Unfortunately even the most entertaining parties must end. And it concluded with hundred of Italian cars making a column in the centre of Stara Zagora so that everyone could see and feel these indescribable feelings of owning and driving an Italian car.
By Boyan Stoyanov
