Fans of the iconic film The Italian Job who drive a MINI car (or any vehicle featured in the film) and have always wanted to explore the picturesque Yorkshire countryside will simply love this autumn’s staycation MINI break.
Inspired by the 1969 Michael Caine film of the same name, the Italian Job motoring holiday has been, for the last 30 years, a road trip for MINI and vintage-car enthusiasts, taking adventurers (who are called ‘Jobbers’ for the duration) off the beaten track in Italy to see the ‘real country,’ away from the tourist trail, and visit some of the locations used in the hit movie, while at the same time raising funds for a great cause.
The Italian Job Charity Event Finds a New Home in the UK
Following the success of last year’s The Italian Job Charity 30th Anniversary event, organizers have decided to run their first-ever UK-based ‘job’ in October this year — in North Yorkshire, to be precise.
The 4-day “Yorkshire Job” will kick off at the Oxford MINI plant on Friday 30th October before driving through this historic Northern English County known for its Roman and Viking heritage, as well as its Norman castles, medieval abbeys, Industrial Revolution-era cities and 2 national parks. On route you will take in many of the hidden gems that capture the very essence of Yorkshire — from the soaring natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales to the rugged sandy beaches of the Yorkshire Coast; the stunning and breathtaking landscapes of the North Yorkshire Moors to the cosmopolitan charm of Leeds and York’s ancient cobbled streets. The ‘Job’ finishes with its traditional celebratory black-tie event in the ancient town of York on Monday, November 2nd.
An Exciting Trip for MINI Owners
The Italian Job Yorkshire Job will maintain the same spirit of adventure and will encapsulate all the elements The Italian Job has been known for since 1990. Jobbers will be in the company of like-minded passionate Mini/MINI owners as they embark on an exciting trip exploring unusual places, enjoying exclusive cultural and motoring related visits and experiencing a few surprises along the way.
Each day there will be plenty of photo-ops including daily time trials, convoy processions, treasure hunt-style competitions. These adventurers don’t need to worry about break downs — there will be a service vehicle and support crew on hand throughout the route, which is meticulously planned and executed.
Supporting Underprivileged Children
The Italian Job’s raison d’être is to raise money for children affected by poverty in the UK. To date, the mother and son organizers, Giulia and Freddie St George, have generated nearly £3 million for charity through the event. Each driver/adventurer is encouraged to raise money in advance of the trip through local fundraising activities and sponsorship of their car. Help and support for this will be given by the organizers throughout the summer.
The Italian Job’s current charity is Buttle UK, which provides support by paying for things that we would expect all children in the UK to have, but which their parents simply cannot afford. Each Chances for Children grant is designed to meet needs where the safety, health or development of a child or young person are at risk. It could pay for a bed where a child does not have one and has been sleeping on the floor, or a laptop to do schoolwork for a child who, having fled domestic abuse, cannot go into school because of COVID-19. An endowment created by Buttle UK’s founder, Frank Buttle, means that the charity can pay its own administration costs. Therefore, 100% of all monies raised on the IJ’s Yorkshire Job will go directly to the children it helps.
The cost of the Italian Job Yorkshire adventure is £549 pp based on a twin/double occupancy at the Mercure York Manor. The price includes hotel accommodation half-board including wine at dinner; lunch out; tickets to the Reception & Gala Dinner; team entry in the navigational rally with your own Italian Job Rook Book; entry to any visiting attractions; assistance throughout by the organizers, marshals and service van.
The main Italian Job event will return to Italy in 2021 starting in Turin on May 11th and finishing in Barga on the 19th May. The event sees a brand-new Italian itinerary including: Turin; a visit to the Royal hunting lodge of STUPINIGI and the Royal residence VENARIA; the famous Lingotto rooftop test track; Monza and the F1 Circuit; Imola; the newly covered market in the beautiful city of Ravenna; a visit to a local producer in the Rimini Hills area; Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit; Siena in the rolling Tuscan hills; Barga and Garfagnana area of Tuscany.
REGISTRATION for the Italian Job Yorkshire Job 20 and the Italian Job 21 is now open. Further details can be found at www.italianjob.com or by emailing the organizer gsg@italianjob.com. £549pp. Limit to 50 cars and registration is NOW OPEN.
