[Stuarttaylor]

The inaugural MINI GT to Italy 2003 was classed as a raging success. Two identical MINI Cooper’s driving 2,500 miles on the five-day tour, took in some of the most spectacular scenery and roads that Western Europe has to offer.

The tour began with the crossing of the channel via the Euro-tunnel. Once we arrived at Calais, we set off east towards our first waypoint, Strasbourg. Once we reached Strasbourg, we then turned south to continue our trip through the French countryside towards Switzerland.

After a blast along the French autoroute, we arrived at the Swiss border control where we paid our road-fund license. Although the weather had turned wet, we continued along until we eventually left the auto route and started to drop down towards our first destination, Interlaken. After the longest stage of the journey was completed we booked into our hotel and then set out to sample the night-life of Interlaken. At last we could relax.

We woke to a fresh second day of the MINI GT. Looking out of the window, we were faced with a beautiful view of the base of the mountains that surrounded us, while the peaks were hidden within a thick veil of mountain mist. After breakfast we loaded the cars with our luggage to prepare for the trip over the mountains into Italy, and onto our next destination, Maranello.

Prior to our leaving we were treated to a spectacular view of the mountains appearing from the mist. A quick opportunity to grab some final photo’s before our departure from Interlaken.

Following the route through the mountains we followed the Grimsel-pass. We climbed higher & higher with the road twisting and turning like a dark grey river. We had reached the snow line as we continued to climb, stopping briefly to take in the views and to engage in a short snowball fight. Continuing up route, we approached a large swing-shovel and snow-blower still clearing the snow from the road. We stopped and waited for a while until we had the opportunity to talk to the digger operator. “You’re a couple of weeks early, the road is still blocked on the other side.” We were a little disappointed to hear. Not to worry, we had to drive back down the twisting road we had just driven up. A road made for MINI’s to drive along.

After a “spirited” journey back down the mountain, we ventured along the roads and highways onto the 17km long Gotthard tunnel, and on into Italy.

The Italian countryside was totally different in comparison to the mountains of Switzerland, but it was still enjoyable to drive through. After engaging in some swift driving along the Italian auto routes, we turned into Maranello, the home of Ferrari. We checked into our hotel to the sounds of Formula One cars being tested somewhere within the town. We would look for it tomorrow as we were to spend two nights there.

The third day was a chance for the MINI’s to have a well deserved rest. We carried out our sight-seeing of Maranello on foot, taking in the Galleria of Ferrari, and the local merchandise shops. Then we heard the sound of the F1 cars again. “We’ve got to find that” we said together, and after much arm flapping and pointing of directions by the Ferrari factory receptionist, we were soon stood beside Ferrari’s private test track.

A red formula one car raced into view running through tests and setting up the cars for the following weekends Grand Prix in Monaco. Funny that, that was exactly where we were going to be the following day.

The rest of the day was spent taking in the sights and sounds of Maranello and just relaxing after two days of almost continuous driving.

The start of the fourth day started with some questionable photo opportunities outside the Galleria of Ferrari and the main factory gates. Fortunately no-one was around at that time to say otherwise, so we assumed that it would be ok.

After photographs being taken, it was back to the auto route for the drive to the west of Italy, and into Monaco. Driving down the steep coastal roads, we soon found ourselves driving through the streets of Monte Carlo, following the route of the world famous Grand Prix circuit itself.

After a couple of laps and more photographs, we were heading back up the cliff-side and into the French mountains along the Monte-Carlo Rally stages. Now this was driving. Hair-pins bends, tight tunnels, long sweeping bends, and small boulders between you and a 200foot drop; both adrenaline and super-unleaded petrol was on full throttle this afternoon. Fantastic!!!

As time was getting the better of us, we decided to take a detour, and start back towards the auto-routes in order to get to Geneva before night fall. This involved taking us straight through the centre of Turin, in our own re-creation of the Italian Job to which Charlie Crocker himself would have been proud of.

Heading back towards the French Alps we took the Mont Blanc tunnel into Switzerland where we then dropped down towards Geneva for our final night on the continent, as we faced a long drive back to Calais and back to the Westcountry the following day.

The final morning we headed back across the Alps towards Dijon and back towards Calais for the customary duty free hunt, including a brief glimpse of Jarvis Cocker and his family at the Calais Euro tunnel terminal building.

All in all a good time was had by everyone who participated in the first of what we hope to be an event repeated annually.

The next MINI GT event is being planned right now so that it will be a GT to remember. Please reply to this thread if you would like to know more about MINI GT 2005.

Stu

I shall post pictures soon so you can see for yourself

[Stuarttaylor]

MINI's in Switzerland on the Grimselpass

[Stuarttaylor]

Monte Carlo Rally Stage through the French Mountains

[Stuarttaylor]

MINI's invade the Galleria Ferrari at Maranello

[Guuyuk]

That is cooler than the other side of the pillow!

I am now very jealous. Good color choice on your cars, too!

[Stuarttaylor]

All aboard. MINI's waiting to board the Eurotunnel at Calais on our return

[Stuarttaylor]

MINI's just arrived at Interlaken overlooking the Canal

[Stuarttaylor]

MINI's overlooking a lake in Switzerland. Fantastic view

[Stuarttaylor]

Wathcing Ferrari testing their Formula One car ready for the Monaco GP the following weekend was and added bonus that made this trip extra memorable. Looking over the fence getting close to the track was an amazing experience. This picture was taken approx. 8metres from the car hence the blurryness as the car was accelerating.

[LMB]

Cool

[Stuarttaylor]

Like sardines in a can. MINI's crammed onto the Eurotunnel train, thankfully with their compact size, they sit quite comfortably while we speed along under the English Channel.

[Stuarttaylor]

A quick break on the Grimsel-pass, and to have a snowball fight in May

[rpenhale]

Hi Stuart,

Looks like you had a good trip, great pictures, slightly more impressive than the Dartmoor run methinks. Let me know about the 2004 event as I would definitely be up for it.

Richard Penhale

[Stuarttaylor]

Yeah, everybody had a good time. We did 2,700 miles in total.

If you want us to put you on the contact list, we will be able to keep you up to date with the MINI GT 2004 details as things progress. If you PM me with your email address then I will add to to our "just curious" list.

Seperate subject. Is anyone planning anything for a Southwest Mini Run meeting at all as I have missed the last few posts?