The Italian Job
a car rally in aid of childrens' charities
Previous Mini Rallies
Friday November 8th 1990 :- 56 Teams took part in the first Run including the Oldest Mini – a totally restored 1960 Mini van – which suffered a few problems when the carburattor froze on the Alpine roads. The Minis were joined by a faboulous Lamborghini Miura P 400 restored by the owners as a replica of the one featured in the Michael Caine film. A total of £ 58.000,- were donated to Children in Need and Childline as a result of the run advertised as 24hours from Trento to Brighton !
For the next seven years Jobbers – the name given by a journalist from YOU magazine to the enthusiastic Mini drivers – have driven off-the-beaten-track roads exploring the Italian Region of Trentino and raised hundreds of pounds in aid of the NSPCC. In 1998 the City of Imola was invaded by The Italian Job Minis and we have been welcomed in cities such as Bologna, Ferrara, and Ravenna. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello became also a usual stop for the Mini. A Mighty Million sponsorship was raised for the Millennium and by than we were supporting NCH-Action for children.
The Navigational Rally was started in 1992 and has became over the years always more competitive with the added thrills of driving on the Ferrari Formula One circuit and then, since 2001, on the Lingotto, the test track of the Fiat Car Company in Turin.
We were truly privileged to be invited in 2005 to Fiorano – the very own Ferrari circuit - and to have in 2007 an exclusive visit of the Royal Palace in Monza. We have explored Venice (on foot !) and enjoyed a boat ride around the Laguna up to the Rialto Bridge. We have visited the beautiful resort of Stresa and had a luncheon visit to the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore.
Our 20th Anniversary in 2009 coincided with the 50 of the Mini and 40th of the Film and we celebrated in style by invading the Italian Capital City - Rome! Our celebration itinerary included driving on many racing track starting with the Lingotto roof top and ending with the Ferrari in Imola and in between we enjoyed and unique drive on Monza Old Racing Track and a day of sport at Vallelunga in Rome and Mugello near Florence.
More surprises are in store for 2012, however, whatever the itinerary our mission will remain the same and will carry on upholding our motto "Raising money for children in a fun way" in aid of Variety the Children's Charity our nominated charity from 2011.
Recent Navigational Rally results :
| Year | Winner | 2nd place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Team 31 Jonathan & Emily Blaxill | Team 45 Jiri & Tereza Plevka | Team 28 Bill & Linda Handley |
| 2009 | Team 12 Ken Turner & Jan Reed | Team 22 Roger & Yvonne Hunt | Team 18 Carl Belinger & Rachel Cope |
| 2008 | Team 82 Paul Douglas & Jean Rowe | Team 22 Roger & Yvonne Hunt | Team 60 Vic Maundrell & James Kanely |
| 2007 | Team 22 Roger & Yvonne Hunt | Team 18 Carl Belinger & A Jacquest | Team 69 Gunther Smitz & Susan Finlay |
