Story
Stephen and Debbie are off on the Italian Job Rally which starts on October 19th 2009. Launched in 1989 with the aim of raising money for children in a fun way, the Italian Job has raised over £2.2m of funds in aid of national children's charities. The event is based on the original 1969 film of The Italian Job with Michael Caine – though sadly we won’t be returning with any of the gold!
Where are you going?
We drive through a number of Italy's most fantastic cities such as Turin, where we go for a spin on the famous Lingotto roof top test track used in the film. We drive well off the beaten track, over medieval bridges, through tiny villages, and even onto an F1 Grand Prix circuit.
What's the route?
This year’s navigational rally starts in Turin, and visits some amazing locations such as Ferrari at Maranello and their private test track at Fiorano, Lamborghini in Modena, visiting Florence, Rome & Imola where we will also take part in various challenges and special stages along the way.
How does it finish?
Eventually the group of approximately 100 Mini’s (covering in the region of approximately 2500-3500 miles) winds its way back up through France, to London where all the cars process in convoy from the O2 to the Albert Memorial.
How much are you hoping to raise? Our target is £2000 and we will top up any donation from you up to this target by a further 10% ourselves! So please make a donation through this site – or if more convenient, send us a cheque. What happens to the money raised? The money goes to the charities, mainly KidsOut – none is used to finance our trip. What is KidsOut? KidsOut aims to provide fun and happiness for disadvantaged children - children who have physical disabilities, learning difficulties, abused, terminally ill, underprivileged, single parent and ethnic minority families. It operates in the UK. Are you going on your own? No, we are going with a small group of friends so there will be five minis in this team - three original style and two new (BMW) type. Curiously, one of the minis used to belong to Jeffrey Archer (author & convict!) and coincidentally, there is a big scene (with camp Freddie) in the film that takes place in the building in which Jeffrey Archer now has his London flat Is it an anniversary this year? Yes it’s a multiple anniversary. Its 50 years since the Mini was launched (1959), 40 years since The Italian Job with Michael Caine was released in the UK and 20 years since The Italian Job rally started. Is Michael Caine appearing? Sadly no, though he did appear at one of the events in 1997 and is a Patron of the event How many Minis were used in the filming of the Italian Job? Around 30 Minis were used– and one or two survived the filming! Two were destroyed in the chase sequence where the reprobates drive through the sewers – they tried to get the Minis to do a 360 degree barrel roll but after three failed attempts it was abandoned. Are you going to be driving through the sewers as part of the rally? Thankfully no! Anyway the sewers used where new and unused and were actually near Coventry in Stoke Aldermoor. Top Gear are planning a re-enactment this year through the new sewer being built in Belfast