Text and photos by Derek Meluzio –
Frank Griswold drove his Alfa Romeo 8C to victory ahead of names such as Briggs Cunningham, Sam and Miles Collier, and Cameron Argetsinger in the first ever Watkins Glen Grand Prix in 1948. Seventy-seven years later an Alfa Romeo was in victory circle again but this time the big winner was Nick Fonte in his #11 red 1968 Alfa Romeo GTV. Not only was Nick racing an Alfa Romeo, but so were all of the other drivers in the race.
Once again Alfa Romeo race cars from all over the country gathered for “Alfas at the Glen”. This motorsport celebration takes place at the famous track every five years. The 2025 edition celebrated not only the 115th Anniversary of the brand but also the 45th Anniversary of Bruno Giacomelli qualifying on pole position at the 1980 U.S. Grand Prix in his Alfa Romeo 179.
I was lucky enough to attend the 2021 event (it was delayed a year due to Covid) and I was extremely excited to return in 2025. The entry list featured 34 Alfa Romeo race cars. Some attended in 2021 and I got to see them again. Some were new to the event and some were returning after a year off. The quantity of entries was great but so was the diversity. Variations of Alfas that took to the track included different forms of the GTV, Spider/Duetto, GTV6, GTA Junior, Alfetta, Milano/75, Giulia Super, Giulietta, and Giulia TI.
The event featured races all weekend. On Friday the Alfa entries got practice and qualifying time but also got to race against non Alfa Romeo competitors in their respective VRG classes. The Watkins Glen long course was used. It was wonderful watching the GTV Alfas do battle with the many BMW 2002s and the Datsun 510 sedans. Much like the old Trans-Am days. Saturday saw one of two feature all Alfa Romeo races and once again the long course was used. Sunday saw the second and final all Alfa race and the sanctioning body switched things up and utilized the Glen short course this time.
The event organizers also hosted an all Alfa Romeo car corral on Saturday. A designated area was set aside in the paddock for any and all Alfa owners to park and share their cars. It featured 28 cars and was much like an all day cars and coffee. The car corral saw a strong quantity of cars but great diversity as well. There was a very nice mix between modern and vintage Alfas in the corral. There was a Stelvio, a few very cool 4Cs and multiple modern Giulias included a Veloce, a Ti, a Quadrifoglio, and even a limited edition Quadrifoglio Super Sport (1 of 72 imported into the U.S.).
The vintage section saw a beautiful Alfa Romeo Montreal, nine gorgeous GTVs, four Spiders/Duettos, and a handful of GTV6s as well.
Perhaps the biggest treat of the weekend was getting to see the Alfa car corral take to the track for some parade laps. Sure it was neat getting to see the street cars go around the Glen but the surprise was that the group was led by the sole surviving works 1924 Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio. The car raced in period at the Targa Florio and was driven by Giuseppe Campari. Seeing it was one thing but hearing it was almost even better. The RLTF led the Alfa parade for multiple laps and then stopped on the front straight for a photo opportunity with the group.
As far as the racing went, Saturday’s contest was actually cut short. It was given an early checkered after only one lap of racing when one of the GTVs blew an engine resulting in a lengthy clean up. Sunday saw a full race of 15 laps with Allen Mitchell getting the lead early in his turbo charged 1988 Milano. Mitchell led for multiple laps but was eventually passed by Nick Fonte in his 1968 GTV. Mitchell would have mechanical troubles dropping back and Fonte would go on to take the victory. Greg Seferian would come home second in his GTV6 and Vince Vaccaro rounded out the overall podium in his GTV.
The weather was perfect. The temperature was in the 60’s and low 70’s each day. There is something really special about being at Watkins Glen in early fall when the leaves are starting to change colors. I can only imagine what it was like in the 1970’s when drivers like Hunt, Cevert, Lauda, and Stewart were racing. It is safe to say the Alfisti competitors and spectators alike enjoyed the entire weekend. Many of them, myself included, are already counting down the days until the next “Alfas at the Glen in 2030.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR: Derek Meluzio grew up in a car loving family in Central, PA. He still lives there with his wife, daughter, and car loving sons. Derek is an amateur autocrosser who attends track events, Concours/shows, and Cars and Coffee events all over. He has an appreciation for all cars but especially anything Porsche.
A YouTube video is below.
Summary
Article Name
Alfas at the Glen Motorsport Celebration 2025
DescriptionAlfa Romeo race cars from all over the country gathered for Alfas at the Glen at Watkins Glen.
Author
Derek Meluzio
Ahhh, Watkins Glen! I was there in the ’70’s. I was a young boy, but I do recall the crisp Autumn air, the blue blue sky and the changing leaves – and what a contrast that bucolic setting was to the sensory overload of 1970s F1: motors so loud that you could feel them in your chest, bright colors and larger than life drivers (Stewart, Cevert, Hill, Fittipaldi, Andretti, Scheckter, and others). Sidebar: Not only were the drivers approachable, but so were the cars – you could walk through the Kendall Garage and watch each team work on their cars in their respective 60′ x 60′ spaces separated from one another by nothing more than 4′ chain link fences. (From time to time, they would even borrow tools or a beer from one another!)