Yet another Best Roads of Texas Tour is approaching. Again the BRoTT Tour Master challenges all area Alfisti, Ferristi, Porschephyles, Triumphites, Brake-My-Window lovers, Mustang maniacs, and every other auto or motorcycle enthusiast to find a better route through the magnificent Texas Hill Country between Austin and Utopia. Your editor believes the very best roads in Texas are in Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties. Others feel the best Texas roads are in the Hill Country west of Austin and San Antonio.

In any case, you are in store for a magnificent tour through the glorious Texas Hill Country on the annual Best Roads of Texas Tour. How can you accept the challenge if you haven't experienced this very special route? To assist you in the challenge Bernie Z. has painstakingly scoured the most detailed maps of Texas looking for the most interesting lines - especially the ones that resemble the undulating Alfa Romeo serpent - these are surely the ideal roads for exercising our beloved Alfa Romeos (or any other sporting vehicle). In addition, he spent years traveling the back roads of Texas, because not all the best roads are on the maps.

Now you can benefit from his extensive search for the very best roads of Texas.
On Saturday, October 9th you will get another chance to experience firsthand some of the premier roads of the Great State of Texas. These roads are always scenic and twisty no matter what the season. Fall weather will soon be upon us, making this the perfect time for a top down leisurely or spirited jaunt along the most twisting (or is it twisted) of scenic roads and lightly traveled rolling blacktop in the Texas Hill Country.

Everyone is invited, regardless of the make or model of the vehicle. All we ask is that it be in good mechanical condition. You don't want to have a breakdown miles from the nearest service station or tow truck. Of course if you do have a breakdown we will assist you in any way possible. Tourists depart from both Austin and San Antonio, converging in a tiny town near Kerrville. There the tour will be split into two groups. For the scenery lovers a Leisurely tour; for those seeking a more spirited pace we have the "Veloce" tour. The folks in the "Veloce" tour will be challenged just to maintain the speed limit through some sections of this portion of the tour to Utopia.

Both groups follow the same route skirting the Guadalupe and Frio rivers, ending the tour on the banks of the Sabinal river. There, at the Good Shepherd Campgrounds, a mouth-watering "all you can eat" brisket meal will be specially prepared for our group. Once again, to benefit the THC-AROC, Bernie will be auctioning off a small collection of Alfa Romeo memorabilia he has amassed during the year while you enjoy the meal. If you decide to stay and enjoy the ambiance after lunch you can just relax or pilot a canoe down the river. If you spend the night, in the evening you can enjoy a marshmallow roast and the company of other auto enthusiasts around the campfire. Camping as well as Bed-and-Breakfast style lodging is available for those choosing to stay the night. See the list of lodging options on page 3. To avoid disappointment, make your reservations early.

Last year the Pre-Tour dinner at Mama Mia's Ristorante Italiano (located at 8015 Shoal Creek Blvd., phone 512.451.0177) was such a success, we are doing it again on Friday, October 8th. We hope to order from the regular menu. Arrive at 5:30 pm for the cash bar gathering, with seating for dinner at 6:30. It is very important that you RSVP for the Pre-Tour Dinner, as well as the tour and brisket meal. Last year we had about double the number of folks expected at the dinner which didn't make the folks at Mama Mia's very happy. Non-tourists welcome.

RSVP on or before Tuesday, October 5th for the Pre-Tour Dinner on Friday, October 8th at Mama Mia's Ristorante Italiano, and the Tour and Brisket Meal. Last year the turnout for the tour was greater than expected. Consequently, we ran out of maps and touring rules for some participants, so we are now requiring an RSVP on the tour to avoid this problem from occurring again. For more information or to RSVP in Austin contact Elliott at 512.453.1722 or e-mail at <CARSEZ@aol.com> or in San Antonio contact Albert at 210.647.5924. You can also e-mail Bernie until October 3rd at <thc-aroc-usa@brooksdata.net>.
A nominal fee of $6.00 per vehicle is charged for the tour to cover club expenses. The delicious "all you can eat" brisket meal is only $8.00 per person (½ price for children under 12) and is specially prepared for the tourists. Bernie Zelazny will once again lead the tour from Austin. Contact Albert Jacob at 210.647.5924 for the departure time and location from San Antonio. After you have experienced the tour route, then you can decide whether are not you wish to take up the challenge of finding a better route through the Texas Hill Country to Utopia!

In Austin, meet at the Jim's Restaurant at the "Y" intersection of US Highways 71 and 290 in Oak Hill. We will begin to assemble at 8:15 AM on Saturday, October 9th. A not so brief drivers' meeting will be held at 8:30 AM which all tourist departing from Austin must attend. Departure is at 9:00 AM SHARP. Sorry, we can't wait for stragglers. There is one rest stop between Austin and Kerrville. Near Kerrville we will be joined by the San Antonio contingent at about 11:30 AM. Hopefully, at around noon we will resume the tour in two groups. We will arrive in Utopia at about 2:00 PM for the brisket meal.