DFW CHAPTER - FIAT CLUB AMERICA SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
We have a pair of fun activities in September. First, the Italian Car Club of North Texas (ICCNT) and the City of Grapevine give us a chance to experience a wide spectrum of Italian vehicles at the Italian CarFest. Towards the end of the month, the ICCNT will join us for a car cruise that will visit 2 wineries southeast of the metroplex.
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
12th: Italian CarFest
Show off your car at the largest Italian car show in North Texas! There will be inside bathrooms, food and beverage available on site, and a DJ with music. Let’s beat the Ferraris in numbers again!
626 Ball St, Grapevine (car show)
10:00AM – 2:30PM
Registration: https://tickets.grapevineticketline.com/tickets/italiancarfest-registration-2026
NOTE: Registration closes Wednesday, September 9, 2026
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
8/29/26 – Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills, TX
Agnelli Cup, Day 2:
HEAT 1:
1st: Jesus Robles 15 pts
2nd: Jeriel Robles 12 pts
3rd: Daniel Evans 9 pts
4th: Taz 6 pts
5th: Ko 3 pts
HEAT 2:
1st: Jesus Robles 5 pts
2nd: Jeriel Robles 4pts
3rd: Taz 3 pts
4th: Daniel Evans 2 pts
5th: Timothy Menz 1 pt
8/22/26 – FIAT Freakout, Gettysburg, PA
Con Brio award: Tazilon Brenner
CONGRATS TO EVERYONE!
If you place in a car show, autocross, track event, etc, (or get put on a calendar!) email me at dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com and let me know so we can include you in The Winner’s Circle!
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STELLANTIS NEWS:
1. Arnaud Belloni is replacing Olivier Francois as CEWO of Abarth, FIAT, and Lancia, as well as Chief Marketing Officer for Europe. Francois will become a Company Strategic Advisor. Prior to a 6 year stint with Renault, Belloni had worked with Stellantis companies for the previous 16 years.
2. On September 3rd, in Auburn Hills, Stellantis announced the first vehicle produced in the USA on the STLA ONE platform will be the Jeep Cherokee. It will be assembled at the Belvidere Assembly Plant just west of Chicago. Conversion of the plant has already begun. Test production will begin in 2028 with commercial production set for the second half of 2029. Hopefully, this will alleviate much of the ongoing tension between Stellantis and the UAW over the future of the plant.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
In the “bet you didn’t see this coming” news category, the Giulia Quadrifoglio QV has inspired a $336,000 ultralight helicopter built by German-based Evocopter and its founder, Paul Ressle, who just happens to be an Alfa collector. It is painted in the Rossi red and has both the Alfa and QV logos on it.
This combo would make one heck of a pairing in your garage/car port, err… helipad!
Fiat:
1. Madness Autoworks has made national automotive headlines with their souped-up Topolino capable of 51 mph! After reaching 51 mph, they went back and upgraded the suspension because the stock suspension is pretty, well, sus at those speeds. I am travelling to Spicewood on September 9th to get an up close look at this little piece of madness.
2. Many in the US consider the Topolino nothing more than a glorified golf cart. Somewhat fitting because the Topo is making waves amongst golf cart buyers. It is proving to be the chic accessory of the summer for the affluent. Upscale golf carts cost ~$20,000, so the $15K Topolino provides great bang for the trendy, status-conscious buck. Multiple dealers across the US report their allocations of Topolinos sold out before they ever received the first one. Yes, the overall numbers are small, but don’t be too quick to dismiss the little quadricycle that could. The golf cart industry in the US is a 4 billion dollar industry! Worst case: it’s a short term fad that quickly goes away. Best case: the Topo helps improve the seemingly permanent stain on FIAT’s US reputation and nudges FIAT into introducing some other US models.
Lancia:
Rejoice Lancia rally fans! With a 5th place finish at Rally de Paraguay, Lancia Corse HF has secured the overall Teams Championship in World Rally Championship 2! They still have 3 rallies to go,but can spend the rest of the season celebrating a championship in the first year Lancia returned to rally. The championship was secured racing the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale. Meanwhile, in European Rally Championship, Lancia goes into the Wales event solidly in second place overall. Congrats to Lancia for returning to rally with a vengeance!
Maserati:
Rumors continue to swirl around Maserati. The latest, reported by Automotive News, claims Huawei and the JAC Group are in talks to form a partnership to help bail out the struggling luxury marque. Earlier this year, rumors focused on BYD, but were laid to rest by Stellantis. This time, however, Automotive News claims Stellantis is directly talking to the two Chinese companies in an effort to keep Maserati afloat.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. By all accounts, FIAT Freakout 2026 was a huge success. Over 300 people and almost 200 cars attended. You can see a huge amount of pictures and videos from Freakout here: https://guestcam.co/guest/70CXpjH07j/gallery
FCA Secretary, Jen E. Fur, is organizing all the pics into albums. Once she gets done, I will post the urls to the various albums she creates on our chapter websites. Til then, here is a pic of what the Concorso D’Eleganza looked like.
2. Nominations for our annual national elections are now closed. Expect a notice shortly listing all the candidates. Vice President, Treasurer and 3 Board of Directors seats are being decided in this election.
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DFW CHAPTER NEWS:
1. You may have noticed in the Winer’s Circle, I got an award at Freakout. At the last board meeting before Freakout, I was asked to leave near the end of the meeting. I figured I was either being kicked off the board or they were discussing giving me an award. Fortunately, it turns out they were discussing giving me an award. The Con Brio award is given to people who, in their words, “…have contributed exceptional effort to improving the club during the year. This often includes those who step up to run a Fiat Freak Out or individuals who go above and beyond typical membership responsibilities through hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm.”
I want to thank Brian Benson, our President, and the rest of our Officers and Board for recognizing me with this honor.
2. Agnelli Cup standings after day 2 is complete:
Agnelli Cup Point Standings:
Jesus Robles 40 pts
Jeriel Robles 32 pts
Daniel Evans 23 pts
Taz 17 pts
Ko 7 pts
Timothy Menz 1 pt
With 1 more day of 2 races to go, 1st is now a contest between, Jesus, Jeriel and Dan. 3rd place will go to 1 of the current point holders. However, the 4th and 5th place trophies are open to anyone, even some who joins the series for the last day of racing.
If you would like to join the chase for the Agnelli Cup, Venmo $15 to @Michael-Brenner-70 If Venmo asks you for a code, it’s 4418. Or, just give me $15 in person at the track. All money is used for the trophies.
3. The Dallas Italian Festival in Las Colinas has issued what has become their annual request for Italian cars to display at the festival. Cars are on display only; there is not a competitive car show. Event organizers ask owners to have the cars in position one hour ahead of the event start each day. You do not have to stay all day. Come Saturday, Sunday, or both days – your choice. You are required to register your vehicle at the following link if you wish to display it during the festival.
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdBaTpM4HOnRs.../viewform
We normally have several members show their cars. Expect to see everything from Ferraris to Lambos to Fiats on display.
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Cars shows. Wine tours. Beautiful weather. September is here and it gives us what will become many perfect opportunities to
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
12th: Italian CarFest
Show off your car at the largest Italian car show in North Texas! There will be inside bathrooms, food and beverage available on site, and a DJ with music. Let’s beat the Ferraris in numbers again!
626 Ball St, Grapevine (car show)
10:00AM – 2:30PM
Registration: https://tickets.grapevineticketline.com/tickets/italiancarfest-registration-2026
27th: Winery Tour with the ICCNT
We are joining forces with the Italian Car Club of North Texas for this cruise and winery tour.
9:15AM Meet Up Best Buy parking lot (Exxon/Tiger Mart right next door for people needing gas/snacks/bathroom)
4255 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Famers Branch, TX
9:30AM depart for Buc-ees, Terrell, TX
10:20AM Arrive Buc-ees, Terrell, TX
506 Interstate 20, Terrell, TX
10:30AM: Depart for Tara Winery.
11:30AM: Arrive Tara Winery and Vineyard (lunch)
County Rd 3914, Athens, TX
1:30PM: Depart Tara Winery
2:00PM Arrive Triple N Ranch Winery
5220 Key Ranch Road, Trinidad, TX
OCTOBER
3rd: Red River Triumph Club European Car Show
Tarrant County College (car show)
Proceeds from the car show go to a scholarship fund at Tarrant CCC for students in automotive repair programs.
Go here to register ($25.00 per car)
https://redrivertriumphclub.org/euro-show/
10th-11th Dallas Italian Festival, Las Colinas
Display your Italian vehicle for spectators to enjoy! Registration is free, but required.
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdBaTpM4HOnRs.../viewform
17th: Cavalli Pizza and TUPPS Brewery
6851 Virginia Parkway, McKinney (lunch)
TUPPS Brewery
402 EW Louisiana St, McKinney
(come early and explore Adriatica Village before lunch)
NOVEMBER
7-8th: 2026 COTA Hagerty Cars and Caffeine Car Show
Registration for the Saturday car show includes (2) 2 day passes to the weekend’s vintage car racing, as well as parade laps on COTA on Saturday with extra parade laps available for an upcharge on Sunday.
Discounts are offered for Hagerty members, military, vets and first responders.
Trailer parking is available.
To get more info and register, click here:
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/2026-cota-hagerty-cars-caffeine-car-show-circuit-of-americas-racing-america-603038#about-event
Multiple members from the Texas FCA chapters are already registered!
14th: Agnelli Cup Day 3
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
21: Event TBD
DECEMBER
12?: Ferrari Dallas Toy Run (some kind of car rally/drive plus lunch)
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors