Time Trial

The ALFA PARTS - NRG Time Trial to be held at Putnam Park Road Course

After continuing construction delays at our first track choice, Bluegrass Motorsports Park, Alfas in the Bluegrass will now host the convention time trial at Putnam Park Road Course on Wednesday, July 13th, 2011. At the heart of the Putnam Park Road Course is a 1.78 mile 10 turn road course through the countryside of Southern Indiana. Putnam Park is a racetrack down to the DNA of a Thoroughbred Road Course of the finest pedigree. Due to its technically challenging design, Putnam Park is a favorite test track for open wheel and stock car racers alike. The entire course can be viewed from the tower area, and there is plenty of runoff room. There is a restaurant and snack bar on the premises, and we are investigating opportunities for those who accompany drivers to the track, but might like something else to do during the day.

Since the track is too far to drive back and forth in the same day, the Time Trial event is now the first activity of the convention and will be run on Wednesday, July 13. Participants will meet in Indiana on Tuesday evening July 12 for Tech Inspection at the Holiday Inn Express (Cloverdale, Indiana, Exit #41 on I-70). A block of rooms has been reserved at $84.00 plus tax, and the reservation code will be provided upon TT registration.

Putnam Park opens at 7 AM. The mandatory Drivers Meeting will be held at 8:30 AM and the first car will be off at 9 AM. We will run our traditional 2 practice sessions, followed by the official timed runs. The last competing car will finish its last timed run by 4 PM. The plan is for everyone to head to Lexington this same afternoon. The TT results will be posted at the Lexington Convention Hotel, not at the track.

The Group 2 Motorsports Track Touring Laps to be Held at Noon

Track Touring Laps will be held at noon. Track Touring offers novices the opportunity to take to the track in a controlled environment that will allow them to experience some of the same fun as our more seasoned drivers. If you are new to the track experience or participating in the tour and want to drop in and play at Putnam along the way, this event offers behind the wheel track time in your Alfa in a very safe setting.

The drive from Putnam Park to the Lexington Convention hotel, door-to-door, is 230 miles, just about all of it on the interstate. With the last car finishing running at 4 PM, we plan for all to be able to make the Vendor Reception and Specialty Group Gatherings that are scheduled for 8 PM at the hotel. (By then, we should all be ready for a brew, and the following day there is a Bourbon tour that starts at noon!)

For some, the Time Trials will be a “stop along the way” to Lexington. For others, it will mean extra driving. The good news is that Putnam Park is a great track and the TT price of $150, as we are sure many of you realize, is more than reasonable. The track is providing a full, first class, turn key event. The only item that is not included in the price is the transponder rental, for those who don’t already own a transponder. Please note that this event is limited to 60 cars, on a first-come, first-served basis.

As always, additional and full details will be provided to those registering for the event, but as you consider your participation try to imagine how cool it would be to see a caravan of 60 Alfa racers heading to Lexington on Wednesday afternoon – not to mention the grand entry into the Convention Hotel!

Alfas in the Bluegrass offers you the opportunity to visit a track where you will lose yourself into a blur of blue sky, countryside, and asphalt. Plan on joining us for this rare opportunity where car and driver merge as one!