By Steve Thomas

[Steve and Tom Letourneau, both members of AONE and JANE (Jaguar Association of New England), have combined their talents to produce this terrific Spring rally for both Alfa Romeo and Jaguar buffs. You remember them—they’re the guys who orchestrated the well-received 100-car rally at the Giulietta Giubilee convention in 2004! Here’s what they’ve got in store for us this time.—Ed.]

Time to fire up our beloved Alfas  (and Jaguars) and tour the back roads and byways of New England! After a false start in October, our determined Rallye Master Tom Letourneau has put together an ‘Olde Fashioned’ Sports Car Rallye to get the blood flowing for the sports car season. The route wanders through some of the most interesting and challenging roads of Western Rhode Island, Eastern Connecticut, and Central Massachusetts!

The rallye is suited for both the novice and the more experienced. It is a TSD (Time Speed Distance) style rallye, with lots of easy-to-read and -follow route instructions, designed to get us to the end of the rallye without getting lost, yet making it competitive and a whole lot a fun!

The ending location will be in the Downtown Village section of Putnam, CT, with all of its boutiques, antique shops, etc. There should be some time to explore before we sit down to eat at a great local restaurant.

Tom always has some surprises on the burner. He has put together some custom prizes, and you never quite know what you will find on the route. Tom expects Peter Elsworth, the Automotive Editor of the Providence Journal, to accompany us along at least part of the route, so don’t be surprised if you or your car turns up in the paper!

The Rallye will start in the Parking Lot of the Massachusetts State Reservation known as Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, MA. (For info on the location, check out the Purgatory Chasm web site, where you can also find directions.) Show up by 8:15 AM. A mandatory Driver’s (and Navigator’s) Meeting will be held promptly at 8:30. The first car off will be at 9:00 and, in order to keep competitors from catching up and climbing down the backs of fellow competitors, everyone will be sent off in two-minute intervals.

Because of the early start, we are going to require pre-registration. On May 2, we will have a Driver’s Meeting, give you your route sheet, gimmick questions, and send you on your way!

At about half way along the route, there will be a stop at a large convenience store, where there are provisions for the basic needs of man and steed.

Information on pre-registration will be coming shortly. There will be a $25 fee for each vehicle entered and the dinner will be Dutch treat.

Hope to see you there!

Contact info:
    Tom Letourneau – 401-334-3315, AlfaRacer1@cox.net
    Steve Thomas – 603-293-4250, srt@anlytc.com