20 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

In swapping a few emails with new member Franco Uliana, I asked him to give me a brief history of the long-running ECA Club in Italy. Here's what he wrote:

ECA Club (Electric Car Association) is the oldest slot club in Italy and perhaps in the world. It was founded in Turin in 1964 and among the first members were Giovanni Montiglio (designer of the NSR) and Daniele Ostorero (owner of Ostorero Slot Models).



ECA's limited edition 40th anniversary Porsche.

Since then the club has been continuously active in 1/32 and 1/24 racing. Its members have participated in and won many races around the world, including Alberto Capra who was world champion in Chicago in 1989. Other notable club members include Bruno Novarese, Ezio Scisco, Franco Uliana, Silvio Giacobbi, and many others.



Mr. Parma, Ken MacDowell, during a 1983 visit to the club.

For many years ECA members raced with self-built metal models on wood track, but now use the modern plastic slot cars on a Carrera track.



1970 F1s.

We also run a 1/24 Vintage category where we use the machines with old 36D motors and original chassis from the time. You can see some of our Vintage cars at THIS LINK.

The most important events organized every year by ECA are the Vintage Meeting (in 2012 the 23rd edition) and the Thingies Meeting.

From 2010, the club is dedicated to the late Bruno Novarese, a great driver, builder, and multi-champion of Italy.



Bruno and Emo.



The dedication ceremony honoring Bruno Novarese.



ECA Honorary Members are Philippe De Lespinay, Brad Blohm, Edo Bertoglio. and Don Siegel. L to R, Don, Maurizio Ferrari (Slot.it), PdL, Edo, and from behind Michael Ortman during the 2009 Vintage Meeting.

Here's a LINK to the ECA Club's website, which, as expected, is in Italian.

[TSR]

The ECA is indeed the oldest surviving club in the world and still very active today.

I was very honored to be named a member and to receive a (real) gold ECA lapel pin.

Obviously the Italians did not see my rap sheet!

[Cheater]

They didn't check with me either... LOL! I'd have straightened them out.

[don.siegel]

Thanks, guys, I'm honored! It's always a pleasure to race with the ECA.

Franco showed me those metal body F1 cars on one of my visits, and they're very impressive little beasties. They've been going through thick and thin, and have done a lot of very original thinking.

One year I asked Bruno Novarese how they got their original Monogram cars going so fast, and he explained that, during the "dark days" (probably in the '70s), that's all they had to run in 1/32, and they really learned how to tune them! Of course, it also helped that they have a lot of very talented people in the club!

Don

[Edo]

Indeed it's an honor to be an honorary ECA member!

Speaking of those metal body handbuilt cars by Franco Uliana and Co., I happen to have photographed a few of them and here are for those interested:















Ciao for now

E

[TSR]

Great stuff, Your Lordship... great stuff!

[Edo]

At your service, Monsieur Le Cardinal Richelieu.

[TSR]

I will prey for you, my son... uh, I mean, PRAY!

How are things in Cheeseland?

[Edo]

Things in Cheeseland are still good: free cheese and Rolex watches for everybody as usual.

But now the People are pushing for free Cucarachas in every home.
Our communist government will soon comply with that request (or else!)
You should move over here immediately.
We're the happiest people in the world just after the one living in Zumba.

E

[TSR]

Any gnomes left in Zurich?

Seriously Edo, I will visit you in Gruyereland next May...

[Cheater]

Edo,

Nice of PdL to give you so much advance warning. Leaves you plenty of time to circulate his mug shot to the border guards... LOL!

[don.siegel]

Hey Gasowder, Parker, et al - aren't there some clubs in the Midlands of England that have been around since at least '64? Even one of the originals from the '50s - ARRA, Southport, or their descendents?

Otherwise, 1964 sounds pretty good to me!

Don

[TSR]

Don,

When I checked ECA four years ago, I could not find any older surviving club in the UK. All were from after 1964. Maybe someone can tell us if there are any???

[Ron Hershman]

Obviously the Italians did not see my rap sheet!

Oh, they have... their US "Representative" Tony S will be seeing you shortly... LOL.

[Edo]

Seriously Edo, I will visit you in Gruyereland next May...

Great!

Red carpet and security will be ready by then!

PS: Bring your helmet, I'll take you for a spin on the Duck!

E

[Franco Uliana]

Seriously Edo, I will visit you in Gruyereland next May...

Philippe. do you think of being also in Italy?

On May 23, 2012 there will be in Roncole Verdi (near Parma), 23rd Vintage meetings. The theme will be Italian Racing Cars.

It would be great to have you with us...

Franco & ECA friends

[vfr750]

If you include rail racing, this suggests that Oaklands Park in the UK is older than ECA:

Oaklands Park

Whichever, I consider myself privileged to have raced at both.

Cheers,

John

[TSR]

John,

Does Oakland Park have a continuous, non-interrupted history? If so, it would at the very least place it on the same level as ECA since both began slot car use in 1964, but OP would be older due to their use of rail racing cars prior to 1964...

Philippe. do you think of being also in Italy?
On May 23, 2012 there will be in Roncole Verdi (near Parma), 23rd Vintage meetings. The theme will be Italian Racing Cars.

Franco,

The plan is to be in Italy, Switzerland, and France, and to attend and drive a 1949 Maserati 4CLT in the Monaco Historique Grand Prix. Thing is, I am not sure yet of the dates and if there is a conflict. We have an organized visit at Ferrari and Maserati planned, plus a visit in Monza, Modena, then a visit in Pesaro at the Morbidelli Museum... and a lot of pasta.

[John Secchi]

Hi All
Just come across this thread regards the oldest continuous running slot club, seems NLondon or N.L.S.M.E might be in with a shout!
According to ex NLondon members Tony Condon and Dick Smith the society authorised funds for the construction of the first club track in 1959 with the track completed sometime in 1961 but 1962 would be the official start date.
Prior to the slot track the society had a very active diesel rail section and was one of the last clubs in the UK to still run this form of the sport till late into the 60's.
[oneofwos]

[Zippity]

Um, Hello?

According to http://www.hmmrc.nzs...C/The_Club.html the Henderson club in Auckland, New Zealand was formed in 1962.

This club still exists today.

[anarot]

there's bound to older clubs out there. the oldest in NZ is 1962.still going strong today.
The Henderson Miniature Motor Racing Club was formed in 1962 in the heyday of Slot Car racing. The first clubrooms were an old barn in a suburb of Swanson in Auckland. In 1964 the Club became an Incorporated Society.