Team 96 Italian Job 2017

Just how many departures before dawn can be suffered by two old geezers on an Italian Job? 6.15am today as the sun rose in our rear mirror as we headed west from Venice towards Turin. 270 miles, and we arrived a few minutes before the 11.30am allotted time as we all assembled on the famous Fiat Lingotto roof test track. What an amazing place on the top of the five story impressive 1930’s Fiat factory, with steep banking at either end. More driving tests ensued prior to driving round the banking – quite scary without a roll bar – for the group photo. Although it was the 1st of November, the sun shone out of a clear sky raising the temperature from 5 degrees in early morning to a comfortable, perfect autumn day at 17 degrees.

Following an excellent buffet lunch in the hotel, we embarked en mass, with police escort to the Turin Childrens hospital where it was our pleasure to leave a number of soft toys brought with us. The Italian Job then presented a cheque for £2000 from monies raised during the event, to one of the hospital Directors. We then proceeded again under enthusiastic police escort clearing a path for us through congested Turin traffic, to the centre of Turin. On the way to the central city square, we passed many of the famous sights featured in the film – we had been joined by cars from the local Mini Club and we filled a corner of the main square and were admired by an ever increasing number of local residents enjoying their bank holiday in the autumn sunshine. With horns blazing and flags flying, the afternoon finished adjacent to the weir which featured in the Mini chase after the gold bullion heist - we made our escape - but not with quite the same splash and dash!

Our grateful thanks to the worldwide members of the Muscles for Charity Group, who have made a generous contribution to our Childrens Charity.