Only a select few makes of cars inspire their owners to form motor clubs. Such cars tend to have a long and illustrious history packed with racing victories and pace setting models.

Alfa Romeo is one of the few.

In Kenya, and many other countries, Alfa owners have banded together to share their motoring interests, socialize and organize events.

Over the past thirty years the local club has looked after the interests of Alfa Romeo Owners in Kenya and organized social and sporting activities.

Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Nairobi Safari Club from 5.30 p.m. Attractions vary from beauty demonstrations for women members to motor racing and rallying films.

Day and weekend outings are a feature of the Club's calendar. The annual Caltex Economy Run takes Alfa enthusiasts from Nairobi, Kenya's capital, to Naivasha in the great Rift Valley. Competitors spend the weekend at the Lake Naivasha Country Club after tackling timed driving tests.

To mark the Club's first anniversary in 1971, the committee organized a Concours d'Elegance (beauty contest) for Alfas. This became a regular yearly event. For the past twenty years the Concours has been open to all makes and types of cars, pickups, station wagons and motor cycles.

The Car and General Ferodo Concours d'Elegance has become a national motoring fixture. The 2000 edition will be held at the Nairobi Racecourse on July 9th from 10.00 a.m. The judging of competing vehicles is the centre piece of a super family outing.

There are exhibits of new vehicles, a creche, magic show and donkey cart rides for children,a fashion show, live band music, fly pasts and a free -fall parachute drop.

The Alfa Club and the Concours d'Elegance have come a long way.