DFW CHAPTER - FIAT CLUB AMERICA AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER
If you mark your calendar with ours, please check out the calendar of events section carefully. A couple of dates have changed to allow chapter members to participate in other Car/Italian car related events.
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
29: Agnelli Cup Day 2
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
Afternoon heat on a go kart track in the summer in Texas isn’t always fun, so we are meeting up to start the racing as soon as they open for business.
9:30AM: Meet up at Dallas Karting Complex
10:00AM: Move inside to go racing!
Lunch after karting: (time determined by when we finish racing):
Mi Cocina
971 E Interstate 30 Rockwall, TX
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
7/26/26 – Bubba’s 33, Mesquite, TX
1st Place, Convertible: Jennifer Brener, 2017 Abarth 124 Spider
Class Award, Import: Taz, 2018 FIAT 124 Spider Classica
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. earlier today, Stellantis engineers said they have solved the turbo lag problem. Using a system they call “eBoost Air”, they claim to be able to use 90% of a turbo’s boost in just 650 milliseconds. Stellantis engineers said, using this technology, they can create Hellcat acceleration with a turbo 6. The eBoost Air was introduced to the press using a Jeep Grand Cherokee with an inline 6-cylinder engine that is not yet in production.
Stellantis said there are no engines currently in development using the technology, but that the concept is commercially viable on multiple engine architectures.
If you are into powerful motors, stay tuned!
2. Stellantis returned to profit in the second quarter, posting worldwide gains of 335.3 million dollars. One year ago, Stellantis lost over 2 billion in Q2. The gains came mostly on the strength of RAM trucks in North America. While investors are still skeptical; they want to see more growth across more sectors of Stellantis before buying in, Stellantis is optimistic, pointing to multiple new vehicles being released over the next 12 months.
3. While the United States is leading Stellantis’ commercial gains, another North America market is also contributing in a meaningful way: Mexico. Stellantis sales in Mexico increased 40%, bringing its market share in the country to 7.2%.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
1. Stelvio fans: crank up your patience. A new Stelvio is coming, but probably not until 2028. Originally slated for 2026, the switch to offering hybrids along with electric Stelvios has pushed back development of the new SUV. On the bright side, Alfa wants to keep a QV version of the vehicle, although the exact motor that will be used has not yet been announced.
2. If you want a larger SUV but don’t want to wait on the new Stelvio, Alfa plans to introduce a new C-segment SUV in 2027. It will be positioned between the Tonale and Stelvio and be built on the STLA-medium platform. It will offer both electric and combustion/ hybrid power options.
Fiat:
1. Several FIAT aftermarket vendors have already snatched up a new Topolino. It will be interesting to see what they do with them.
2. FIAT experienced 21.7% growth in Europe for the 1st Half of 2026. They also had notable success in Brazil and Algeria. Despite international success, as we all are unfortunately aware, FIAT remains all but invisible in the US and Canada.
Lancia:
With a 3rd place finish in Rally Poland, Lancia Corse HF sits atop the manufacturer standings in both Junior ERC and ERC4. Meanwhile, in Rally 2, the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale secured a 4th place finish, moving it up into second place in the championship standings.
Maserati:
Is a V-8 Maserati coming? It is just a rumor, but it is coming from Maserati itself. Maserati has not green lighted the idea, however Maserati’s head of engineering, Davide Danesin, raised eyebrows in a recent interview with CarSales when he mentioned V-8s.
“My personal opinion is yes: I think the V8 could potentially be coming back…”
Danesin noted small block V-8s could fit into Maserati’s current sedans, but emphasized Maserati has not yet approved them.
“We believe that a good V8 engine could fit… it looks like the momentum for V8 is building up. The decision to make it is very much depending on company strategies [but] I think potentially the space is there.”
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. FIAT Freakout will be taking place in about 2 weeks, so get ready to see lots of pictures and videos from the event. If you are going, have fun and post a ton of media for those of us who can’t attend!
2. Once Freakout is over, attention will turn to our upcoming elections for FCA officers and board members. If you would like to help FIAT Club America out in an extremely meaningful way, consider running for a Board or Officer position. We are a club of our members by our members. If you have any organizational or managerial skills, or if you are just passionate about the club and want to help guide it into the future – or if you know someone who would be perfect for the job - get your nominations ready!
3. Whether or not you could attend Freakout, are you aware FCA has regional events to participate in? Upcoming events include both the FIATS Up North (FUN) in Peoria, IL and the Loony Tour in the New Hampshire Lakes Region. You can see more details for both events on the FIAT Club America’s calendar of events.
https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4001&club_id=152684
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DFW CHAPTER NEWS:
1. Registration for the Italian CarFest is OPEN. Go here to register:
https://tickets.grapevineticketline.com/tickets/italiancarfest-registration-2026
NOTE: This link is the ONLY PLACE you can register. Don’t fall for scammers.
2. We are teaming up with the Italian Car Club of North Texas in late September to take a winery tour southeast of Dallas. See the calendar for details.
3. It is not too late to join the Angelli Cup competition. $15 buys you a chance for a nice trophy if you finish in the top 5 of the standings. All trophies are still up for grabs, no one has a lock on any of them. Trophy or not, go-karting is just plain fun. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before – most of us are fellow amateur karters!
NOTE: Round 3 in November has changed from the 7th to the 14th.
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.
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The Dog Days of summer are here. It looks like, unlike 2025, this year is going all in on them, too. Don’t let the heat keep you off the street. Get hydrated, get your Italian cars out of the garage, get pumped up, and
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUGUST
18-23rd: Fiat Freakout 2026
Wyndham Hotel and Convention Center, Gettysburg, PA
29: Agnelli Cup Day 2
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
Afternoon heat on a go kart track in the summer in Texas isn’t always fun, so we are meeting up to start the racing as soon as they open for business.
9:30AM: Meet up at Dallas Karting Complex
10:00AM: Move inside to go racing!
Lunch after karting: (time tbd by when we finish racing)
Mi Cocina
971 E Interstate 30 Rockwall, TX
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/
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