The Italian Job - A Mini car rally in aid of children's charities

The 2011 Lottery winning tickets

2011-11-07T11:42:00.000Z

The draw took place in London on Saturday November 5th at the Awards Dinner celebrating the safe return of all participating Mini and Jobbers!
The winning ticket Number are
00771 winning the Mini
09010 winning a week for 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rome
00589 winning a return cross channel ferry ticket with Seafrance
12983 winning a hamper of Italian food and wines
02963 winning a hamper of Italian food and wines
Congratulations to the winners.... and all can try their luck again in 2012!
tickets for the 2012 lottery will be available for sale in February 2012.
Thank you to everybody who purchased a ticket for their support.

Win a Case of Santome Prosecco

2011-04-19T09:09:00.000+01:00

‘Word of mouth and personal recommendation’ are two of the most effective forms of advertising!

The Italian Job has grown from humble beginnings 20 years ago into the event it is today thanks to the word of mouth of our enthusiastic ‘Jobbers’. They have spoken energetically about the Italian Job to friends, family, work colleagues and pretty much anyone else who would stand and listen to them.

They have also been busy posting photos, comments and anecdotes on club websites and blogs and creating and updating websites and travel logs of their own. They have also proudly displayed our logo on their beloved Minis wherever they go, stopping all too readily to talk about the Italian Job to anyone who seemed keen to learn more.

We are passionate about the Italian Job and would like to send our event news, information and ideas to as wide an audience as we possibly can.

So, we’d like to invite you to subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking on the ‘subscribe to our newsletter’ button at http://www.italianjob.com This will send an email to our webmaster and your email address will be added to our subscribe list.

As a thank you we will enter your email address in a prize draw to win a case of the finest Prosecco made by our good friends at Tenuta Santome`.

Move away from the vehicle Mr Cooper !

2011-04-18T13:50:00.000+01:00

Italian Job Breakdown

Imagine you’ve broken down at the bottom of the Simplon Pass on the homeward journey of the Italian Job Charity Tour, and you’re still over 1,000 miles from home. You’re lucky in that you have managed to pull into a small car park on the side of the road where little patches of tarmac form a pretty pattern on an otherwise heavily pitted and seriously uneven surface.

You’ve had to coast in because you’ve conked out on the way down! The stunning views you enjoyed moments before on the descent from one of Europe’s most breathtaking mountain passes is now but a distant memory. Your thoughts turn to the pressing matter in hand: Your broken Mini.

In typical Mini fashion, it’s not long before hordes of fellow ‘Jobbers’ begin piling into the car park, drawn by the sight of a raised Mini bonnet yet unaware until now of the seriously uneven surface of the car park. A group head-scratching session begins almost as soon as the Jobbers alight from their still moving cars, such is their anxiety to lend assistance.
Quickly, the space beneath the bonnet and just above the engine of the disabled Mini fills with eager, gazing eyes belonging to nodding heads. With so many heads you know there’ll be many different opinions.

“You’re carbs are frozen!” “It’ll be that cheap Italian fuel.” The ubiquitous ‘head gasket’ and the classic ‘wait for the service crew, they’ll be along in a while’ solutions are bandied about.

A crowd now begins to form around the ailing vehicle and the huddle beneath the bonnet. Cigarettes are lit and talk soon turns to the difficulties of hiring a car in Switzerland when all of a sudden, the closely huddled crowd of people begins to separate and form a clear path, upon which is striding a man with a purpose, a man with knowledge above all others, a man whose father and thus he are inextricably linked with the Mini, a man with the technical ability to accurately diagnose the problem in one swift glance, a man who among all others should surely know precisely why this lovely little Mini is presently out of action.

That man is Mike Cooper, a fellow participant on the Italian Job and all round know-it-all about Minis.

As he approaches the car, he bends his knees to assume the ‘Mini squat’, pokes his head over the engine, fills his lungs with a sharp intake of air and is about to convey his judgement, when, out of nowhere, the massive frame of Italian Job regular Big Jim Thompson appears, pokes Mike Cooper on the arm and says in his delightful Glaswegian accent, “Move away from the Vehicle Mr. Cooper. Probably best to leave this one to the experts, eh?” With that Mike, Big Jim and the rest of us just laughed and laughed.

It reminds me, though, just how much fun we all have on the Italian Job in the company of like-minded Mini-
loving friends who no matter what the difficulty, problem, drama or situation, always find time to help one another and make sure that at the end of it we’re all laughing.

Friends, Romans, Countrymen...... lend me your ears

2011-04-04T13:56:00.001+01:00

I’d like to tell you the story of my ‘baby’, the Italian Job; It's a fundraising event that I founded 20 years ago and that has so far raised over two and a quarter million pounds for children’s charities.

It started like so many things do, as a bit of a gag really. A gang of us eating a pizza and sipping too many glasses of wine in a Hove pizzeria, deciding we should plan a drive in our Minis to Italy and back to raise some money for Children In Need. Some friends of ours had done a Beaujolais Run just before and I think we kind of figured we could do our own ‘job’ a bit better.

That was in 1990! I sent a hastily cobbled together press release (and it really was cobbled together) to a motoring magazine called Autocar & Motor and if I’m being totally honest I really only expected them to come back and offer to sponsor us for a few quid. Instead they ran the news release with a photo and we were inundated, swamped and overwhelmed with applications to come along on our first ever Italian Job. We took 55 teams and collectively we raised £70,000! I even have the footage of me presenting a cheque on BBC Children In Need at an ice rink somewhere near Basingstoke!

We were pretty crazy in 1990. Our challenge was to return to the UK within 24 hours of leaving Trento in the heart of the Italian Dolomites via Lausanne in Switzerland. We spent two days in and around the city of Trento (look on the map) enjoying the beautiful mountain driving roads of this region, which our Minis positively loved. Whilst driving around we’d raided local producers (by prior arrangement of course) of what we termed our ‘loot’…. It was gold of the liquid variety… WINE! Once we’d filled our boots (geddit!) we said our fond farewells to Italy and headed north to Switzerland for an overnight followed by a soul crunching 14 hour drive to the French port of Dieppe and then home to blighty for a slap up breakfast at Brighton Marina.

Once the euphoria of that first Italian Job began to subside, sponsorship money started pouring in, literally thousands and thousands of pounds came flooding in. We quickly realised that what we had created was something that could go on to make a huge difference to the lives of many disadvantaged children…. We didn’t make a conscious choice to but we just knew it would happen and we began planning for the following year, almost instinctively. This time though we made a few tweaks and changes and added a day so that it became a tad less severe and physically challenging.

In fact, we’ve kept tweaking and improving the event each year. We change routes, cities and special visits just to keep the event fresh, alive and unique.

We have dedicated 21 years of our lives to building the Italian Job and staging what I truly believe to be an immensely rewarding experience for all involved. I know the Italian Job has empowered many people and changed the course of their own lives as a result. I have had the time, ability, back up and support each year to give some of my time to put this thing called the Italian Job together, and as long as I am able, I fully intend to continue. The team who work alongside me similarly give their time, energy and commitment and ask for nothing in return. We love doing it and if it wasn’t for the fact that sometimes, work, business and commitments get in the way, I’m sure we’d be on the IJ 24/7, because, you know what, I think it deserves it.

The reason I wanted to tell you this story is that I need your help and after twenty one years of very successful fundraising, one thing I’ve learned is that if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Don’t panic though I am not going to ask you to dig deep, make a donation, pledge or redirect you to my Justgiving page. The help I need from you is to spread the word of the Italian Job far and wide so we may continue fundraising for some brilliant children’s charities. This year we support the Variety Club Children’s Charity. Have a look at http://bit.ly/dLlMUB

I’d also like to ask that once you’ve read this posting, you take a quick look around you and make sure that you tell every Mini (old or new) to visit http://bit.ly/5uJIgE for the 10 day fundraising driving adventure they will never forget. If you can retweet to this posting then that is brilliant and I thank you.

Facts about the Italian Job:

Any Mini can participate in the Italian Job, as can any classic car which featured in the 1969 movie. These include E-Type Jaguar, Landrover, Aston Martin DB4, Lamborghini Miura, Fiat Dino, London Taxi, Fiat Cinquecento (old or new) Dormobile or even a coach!

So, if you’re reading this at home, at work, on your smart phone sitting in the doctors surgery it doesn’t matter. In the car park outside, parked up on the side of the road, on your neighbor’s drive, in the queue for the pump at the petrol station …. there will be a Mini (or classic car mentioned above) and I’d love for you to tell them all about us and the Italian Job.

Of course if you’ve got a Mini or classic car and you fancy giving the Italian Job a go, we’d love to hear from you. Please call us for a chat … and then fasten your seat belt, engage first gear, ease off the clutch and join us in Italy for the 21^st edition of the Italian Job.

March 26th, 2011 Step into France

2011-03-31T15:51:00.009+01:00

It was a really pleasant day enjoyed by all! As ever we had prepared a simple route from Calais ( bit of rain ) to Le Touquet ( sunny and warm ) including our customary silly questions! and here are the answers :

Q1: What is the name of the road you are on ? A1: Boulevard des Alles
Q2: How much do mussels & chips cost here? A2: 2,50 Euro
Q3: The number to dial from the UK A3: 00 33 3 21823203
Q4: Which day would you not be able to dine A4: Sunday
Q5: How to say BIG WHITE COW in French A5: Grosse Vache Blanche
Q6: What do you think it is A6: Look out Point
Q7: The name of the road you are on A7: Route de la Motte Bourg
Q8: What does "Renardeaux" mean ? A8: Little Foxes ( Fox cubs )
Q9: Who is the neighbour of the Mairie? A9; Madame Lelature
Q10:When was the church built A10: 1960
Q11 Which of the 4 battles is a Metro stop ? A 11: Bir Hakeim
Q12 How many steps are there A12: 54
Q13 What does POINTE AUX OIES means A13 : Goose Promontory
Q14: What do you think a Digue is ? A14: A Dyke
Q15: Who was France`s first President A15: Napoleon Bonaparte
Q16: In euro, how much is a litre of petrol A16: 15,48
Q17: What do Ludovic and Corinne do? A17: They are bakers
Q18: What nationality was the record breaker A18 : British
Q19: What is the name of the river A19: Canche
Q20: What is the admission at the maritime Museum A20: 2 Euro
Q21: What is their Fax number A21: 00 33 3 21 09 79 90
Q22: What is the name of the road you are on A22: Avenue de lÈurope
Q23: Which town is Wimereux twinned with A23: Herne Bay
Q24: What`s wrong with the boat picture on pg 6 A24: The letter "L" has been removed

..... and the winner with 80% of correct answers is Team Middleton ! Congratulations and they will receive a
bottle of the finest PROSECCO made by our sponsor Santome !
Will advise in a few weeks the next STEP event and look forward to many Mighty Minis joining.

Mini drivers wanted for the ride of a life time

2011-03-30T15:30:00.000+01:00

Mini drivers with a passion for the 1960`s British classic cars are being sought to take part in a totally legal Italian Job and raise money for disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK.

Mini fans from all over the world are invited to join the charity fundraising trip of a lifetime, following in the tyre tracks of Sir Michael Caine`s 1969 classic film The Italian Job across the mountains of northern Italy and even on the rooftop test of the world famous Fiat Lingotto factory building.

The Italian Job has raised over 2 and half million pounds for children charities and intrepid teams are now rallying round to launch the 2011 event in aid of the Variety club children`s charity, one of the country`s foremost national children`s charity providing support for disabled and disadvantaged children .

This year event is supported by Variety Club Ambassador Robert Powell who starred as " Yellow " in the original film and who said of this year rally " As a long standing supporter of the Variety Club, I am delighted that The Italian Job, one of the country`s most colourful and fun charity events will celebrate 21 years of raising money for disadvantaged children in the UK and has nominated the Variety Club to be their chosen charity. I wish everyone good luck and as Michael said < don`t forget to blow the bloody doors off >

The event is the most fun you can have in a Mini of any age while raising money for disabled and disadvantaged children. It does not matter if you do not own a Mini you can come with any of the cars featured in the original film ( Fiat 500, Alfa Giulia, Jaguar E Type, Aston Martin DB4, Lamborghini or event a London Black Cab ).

This year Italian Job starts on October 28th in Imola and finishes back in London on November 5th. The inclusive cost per person is £ 880,- including hotels, meals and an action-packed experience with driving on International Grand Prix circuits, enjoying off-the-beaten-track places, exclusive visits and being led in convoy by traffic police through busy citi centres.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/the-italian-job-driving-adventure-4497935.html#ixzz1I5pet289
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Florence & Turin Hotels

2011-02-08T16:08:00.000Z

Hotels leaflets are rarely available as majority of hotels have joined the paperless society, however all info are available on line. The 2011 Italian Job Rally will start in Imola at the Molino Rosso, a great friend of The Italian Job and well known by many Jobbers ( http://www.molinorosso.it/) . The following Sunday and Monday will be spent exploring the region of Tuscany,the Mugello and we will be staying at the centrally located hotel Mediterraneo < http://www.hotelmediterraneo.com/ > near the beautiful Piazza Santa Croce in Florence and within walking distance of the main attractions. The 2011 Rally will close in Turin at the hotel we have used for many years.... which however is no longer called the Meridien Lingotto as it has changed owner and name to Hotel NH-Lingotto < www.nh-hotels.it/nh-lingotto >
hotels for November 3rd,4th and 5th will be confirmed later

Win a Mini

2011-02-03T15:17:00.004Z

Tickets for the 2011 Italian Job Lottery are being sold all over the UK by participants in this year event. They cost £ 1.- each, and prizes are

a brand new Mini,
a holiday in Rome
a selection of Italian food and wine.

All proceeds will be donated to the Variety Club children charity http://www.varietyclub.org.uk/ to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children; Variety Club will invest the funds supporting projects and individuals where those funds have been raised.

Should you like to buy some tickets now and support sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in your community please post to The Italian Job, 93 Hangleton Road, Hove, BN3 7GH a SAE and a cheque for the number of chances you require ( minimum 10 ) .

Should you wish to pay by debit/credit card please call us on 01273 418 100 to give your card details securely. We will debit your card for the number of tickets you require + £ 1,- to cover postage and cc charges.

Thank you for your support.

2010 Lottery Results

2010-11-08T10:02:00.000Z

The winning tickets Numbers are:
1st prize      01957
2nd prize    03336
3rd prize    01180
4th prize      00750
5th prize      01161
winners are being notified by phone today ! Congratulations to the winners and, if you are not one of the lucky one... there is always next year!   - tickets for the 2011 Italian Job Lottery will be available by February 2011.

31st October 2010 Mile of Minis

2010-11-07T10:35:00.000Z

Sunday October 31st Mile of Mini Results

2010-11-06T16:24:00.001Z

The Mile of Minis on the lake was a great success thanks to all Mini owners who took up our challenge and joined us at the MINI Plant in Oxford on Sunday October 31st. Even though the weather was overcast for much of the day, the spirits of all participants couldn’t be dampened and a really great time was had by all. The welcome extended to us by MINI UK was exceptional and everyone was delighted to see the collection of classic Minis alongside brand new ones inside the impressive T Building at the entrance to the manufacturing plant. Juergen Hedrich, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, was on hand to wave the Minis off the start line at the factory gates, before jumping in one himself to join us on the run to Dorney Lake. When we arrived at Dorney Lake, we filled a tiny portion of the roadway with our 80 Minis, which makes us even more determined to grow our participation next year.

Although we didn’t quite make the mile we had a nice moving mile around the lake and most importantly we raised £ 3.617,65 which is a truly outstanding result for a one day event.

Everyone did their best in raising as much as they could but Anthony Woodroof did better than most and wins the Most Sponsorship Award followed closely by the Webb family and their entry of 3 Minis! Congratulations and thanks to all.

Our sincere thanks to MINI for their warm hospitality and to Dorney Lake for allowing us to finish in such a beautiful setting. We will shortly advice the date for next attempt and hope that many more will take up our invitation to spend a day with friends in a beautiful setting... and if you need to be convinced look at the photos

Step into France on September 25th

2010-06-28T16:22:00.000+01:00

Calling all Mini Owner to Join the Italian Job Step into France day in aid of Kidsout Children Charity.
It will be a great day out with a mix of sightseeing and catching up with friends. It will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your driving and navigational skills as well as your ability to follow a series of clues. Cost per Team - one MINI and 2 people - is £ 89.- including lunch. 3rd and 4th passenger will pay only £ 35.
Please request and entry form to step@italianjob.com

2009 Mini owners raised £ 103.727,19 for charity!

2010-05-12T17:10:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to all Mini Owners and Mini Clubs supporting The Italian Job. Our Fundraising Grand Total for charity now stand at £ 2.205.239.27 !

lingotto roof top

2010-02-03T15:23:00.004Z

Just heard from Turin that the Lingotto Roof Top will again allow the Italian Job Mini to enjoy a lap or two on the famous track. No racing... just driving on the parabolic.

Italian Job Mini Rally - 2010 Advance information

2010-02-03T13:41:00.005Z

Registrations are open. Dates are October 29th START in Imola and November 6th Finish in the UK. We estimate cost per person to be around £800,-/850,- inclusive of Entry Fee, hotels, meals, visits, escorting, team participation in the rally, service charge and taxes. More information will be available in January 2010. Outline itinerary and cost will be advised by April 2010.

Fancy joining us ? download the Entry Forms from the italian job website and send it to us with a deposit cheque of £300,- cheque issued payable to The Italian Job and post to The Italian Job 93 Hangleton Road, Hove, BN3 7GH Please remember to read first the Rules& Regulations and for more information send an email to: gsg@italianjob.com

We look forward to welcoming you on board and to motoring through Europe with you in 2010 and beyond .

Step Into France with The Italian Job Mini Rally

2010-02-02T17:26:00.001Z

Step Into France with The Italian Job on Saturday March 20th a one day Treasure Hunt across the channel - inclusive cost of £79.- for Mini and 2 people includes luncheon, commemorative T-shirt & plaque. Click on here to downloadan entry form OR email gsg@italianjob.com

Mile of Minis

2010-02-01T17:27:00.001Z

Mile of Minis - another fun day for all Mini enthusiast -will take place in September in an exclusive Venue.
Date and place TBA shortly