MINI GT - Euro Tour 2005 (June 11th to 17th)

[Stuarttaylor]

Following on from the success of the inaugural Euro Tour 2003 run , MINI GT was formed to continue organising the ultimate in European driving holidays for all things MINI.

I have pulled the tour itinerary from our website at www.mini-gt.com to let you know what we have in store. There are elements in this tour that many will have seen on previous runs. Now is the opportunity to find out what all the fuss is about and have ago for yourself.

Please check out our website, and if you like what you see then you can download an application form to register your interest.

EURO TOUR 2005 - ITINTERARY

DAY 1 - JUNE 11th (UK - GERMANY)
Meet in the car park of the Ashford Travelodge at 5am. After an introduction from the party leaders, we will depart at 6am heading for the channel tunnel to catch the 7.57am train. You may wish to pack some drinks and a bite to eat for the first leg of journey.

Upon our arrival at Calais, we will fuel up at the first petrol station, before we drive to Nürburg where we aim to check into the hotel 'Am Tiergarten' around 2pm. After lunch we can enjoy some laps of the famous Nürburgring (about 12 euros per lap, 15mins per lap) before our evening meal at the hotel, where everybody will have a chance to relax.


DAY 2 - JUNE 12th (GERMANY - SWITZERLAND)
After breakfast we will leave Nürburg at 10.30am, heading for Interlaken (approximately 6 hours). We will stop for a quick lunch along the way; but don't get eat too much. We can recommend ‘Les Alpes’ restaurant for a fantastic evening meal and an thoroughly enjoyable evening. Our hotel for the night is the 'Chalet Hotel Oberland' which is located in the centre of Interlaken, and not too far to walk from the restaurant.


DAY 3 - JUNE 13th (SWITZERLAND - ITALY)
Aiming to depart Interlaken at 9.30am after breakfast, make sure you have your camera's close to hand today as you will be driving the 'Passo Dello Stelvio' with it’s 94 hairpin bends, it was once of the highest road in the world. “This road is one of driving's most inspired and challenging drives, and dangerous in the extreme - Autocar magazine 21/12/04”. This is driving at it’s best, so take care and enjoy the experience, need we say more.

After scaling the Passo Dello Stelvio, and many fantastic photographs, we will reach Bolzano (or Bozen as it appears on some local maps), where we will be staying at the Hotel 'Alpi' after arriving at approximately 6pm in one piece!


DAY 4 - JUNE 14th (ITALY)
We will depart Bolzano at approximately 9.30am after breakfast, where we will head straight for Maranello, the home of Ferrari, and the Hotel ‘Domus’. Once we arrive at Maranello we should be welcomed with the sound of F1 cars being tested on the Ferrari test track . The Galleria Ferrari is open to visitors who may wish to learn about the history of one of the most famous car manufacturers in the world. The streets around the Galleria are also home to Ferrari memorabilia shops, so you can buy those gifts for your friends who could not join us this year.


DAY 5 - JUNE 15th (ITALY - MONACO - ITALY)
An early start awaits us on Day 5, where we aim to depart Maranello around 9am after breakfast. We aim to reach the port of Monaco by lunchtime where we will be able to drive the route of the F1 circuit, and grab some photos. We will then head up into the hills along one of the Monte Carlo Rally Road Stages to reach Turin (or Torino as it will be signposted) where we can check into the Hotel ‘Genio’ in time for dinner.

As we enter Turin you may catch sight of some of the buildings used in the original 'Italian Job' film, if you want to stop at anytime, remember, just use the radios to let the rest of the group know. Keep an eye out for a Torino sign so we can capture a great group photo.


DAY 6 - JUNE 16th (ITALY - SWITZERLAND)
The morning of Day 6 will be one of sightseeing, and shopping. So plenty of opportunity for those of you who wish to try to recreate ‘The Italian Job’ film (although we wouldn’t recommend upsetting the Police). We will be aiming to depart Turin around noon, please keep an eye on your watches.

Our destination, via the Mont Blanc tunnel, is the Hotel ‘Astoria’ in Geneva, with the famous ‘Jet d’Eu’ water fountain, and expensive shopping. Better keep the credit card locked away today!

We should be driving for approximately 3 hours so there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos, or just relax to breathe in that fresh mountain air.


DAY 7 - JUNE 17th (SWITZERLAND - FRANCE - UK)
An early departure at 8am is a must as we have lots of miles to put behind us today. The drive will mainly consist of the toll roads of France. We will be able to stop along the route to take break and re-fuel (for those without Diesel cars )

When we reach Calais there will be an opportunity to visit the hypermarkets, and remember, any goods bought are of course for your own consumption, we don't want your pride and joy being seized by customs! (like we would be able to fill the boot of a MINI to bursting )

Our Euro tunnel crossing is the 17:36 (5.36pm) service, so don't be late back to the terminal! Upon reaching blighty it will be time to say goodbye, though some of us will be spending another night at the Ashford Travelodge.

[Rakey]

looks a great run, the link to Graphics packs is not working, can you tell me whats in this, and is it a must to buy this if you attend?

[Stuarttaylor]

I must apologise in advance, a number of links are still being completed (Graphics, Eurotunnel information, Mini rentals, and Merchandise) but the graphics information should be going live today. We will have photos of one of the other organisers cars fully fitted with the graphics in February. So watch this space.

The graphics pack will be high resolution low tack graphics and will include:-

Door Number Panels
Euro Tour 2005 Rally Plates
Name Badge complete with National Flag of your choice (very Touring Car style)
GB Badge
Front and Rear Number Panels

I have attached a jpg of the graphics that we will be supplying.

The graphics have been designed by a gentleman who creates the Touring Car/Rally Champ graphics.

The kit is entirely optional as it is £90 but we would recommend the purchase. At the end of the day it is up to you, and if you are happy about sticking graphics to your car.

I must stress. The graphics are low takc and are NOT PERMEMANT. THe can easily be removed using a little warm water, then they will simply peel away. We recommend that you apply a good layer of polish the areas that the graphics will be positioned, to help with their removal and protect your car's fine paintwork .

The idea of the numbering system is to quickly guide people into their position within the run, after navigating through road tolls, and towns, etc. It helps each car to ensure that they are visible by the car in front, while keeping an eye on the car behind. This (as we all may know) should help to minimise loosing people, which is no fun.



Hope this helps,

[scooperman_uk]

Looks almost like the same route that we did last year under the "stelvio or bust 2004" MINI run?

http://www.miniturismo.co.uk/

its a great route, Stelvio is awesome! Good luck.

[Stuarttaylor]

Looking at the Stelvio pass had an influence on the route this year, but Autocar magazine also travelled the route. The Nurburgring was also added after influence from Top Gear (although we did plan to do it in 2003), however much of the run is similar to the 2003 run but with more stops. We did travel half the Grimselpass last time, but the other half was still covered with snow, so we had to turn back.

The second day and forth days will be full of mountain driving, but we have some more laid back days to take in the sites (Maranello, Monte Carlo, Turin, etc). Not so hardcore, but a little something for everyone.

We have four confirmed MINI's attending this year, and we hope to spread the word to other fellow MINI2'ers.

[scooperman_uk]

if youre going to turin, the "ceresole reale" is a must to visit, its got some fantastic views and roads on the way upto the col. The best bet is that its a dead end and you have to drive it back down the pass too!

[Stuarttaylor]

Sounds good. Perhaps we will check it out. We are looking for points of interest to check out while we are there.

[dalboyne]

Not popping by Luxembourg then?

[Stuarttaylor]

With a bit of luck, we should be passing through Luxembourg on our way to the Nurburgring. If you wanted to join in, we would be able to stop off and meet up enroute.

[Rick]

Graphics pack looks quite expensive is you look through the Stelvio planning thread one of the Runner's ordered some magnetic ones which were fantastic and much cheaper

They make great fridge magnets too.

Good luck on your run

[Stuarttaylor]

Yes at first you could say £90.00 is expensive, however we do explain to entrants that this optional charge does not only cover the production of the graphics. The charge includes for the artwork, which has been designed and manufactured by a dedicated race graphics company (SDS Race Graphics), which supplies and fits graphics to WRX rally teams, BTCC teams, Gumball Rally entrants’ etc (not direct to the general public).

The graphics are produced from high quality vinyl which can be removed easily, leaving no glue behind, and if desired can be used on our further runs, that are in the planning stage for later in the year by simply overlaying with a new rally plate.

One of my fellow organisers worked for a large vinyl graphics company for 5 years and he informs me we have obtained a good price from SDS Race Graphics, and he is very impressed at the quality of the product, and the ease of application. He also informs me that the material costs of the BMW factory supplied roof graphics, such as the ‘Cross of St George’, is only a few pounds, £10 at the most, but yet people are prepared to pay many times over at the dealer for it. In regard to the magnetic signs he tells me they
can scratch the paintwork if the car is not spotless when the panel is attached. If removed, stored and reattached the back of the magnetic panel can accumulate fine dirt, grit, or metallic grains which again can scratch the paintwork (i.e. when you pick up a magnetic screwdriver to find iron fillings clinging to the head). I am sure you would agree that we would not want to be paying out for supplying a product that can potentially scratch someone’s pride and joy.

In the event that entrants do not feel that they can successfully apply the graphics themselves we will fit them for them, either at the meeting place or while waiting to depart on the Channel Tunnel, with no charge.

We also explain to entrants that some of the £90.00 charge goes to help pay for the website development, purchase of two-way radios, and other expenses that organisers run up in organising driving holidays. To date we as a group have spent in excess of £1,200.00 of our own money in getting things up and running to a high standard that we as a group are proud of. Rather than charging an entry fee to recoup some of our costs, where there is nothing tangible in return, with the graphics pack each car that joins us has something to display in return.

Thanks again for your comment, and I hope that this has helped to clarify the issue with potential Euro Tour entrants.

NB: We are now up to 6 cars with a maximum of 15 places for 2005 & see our ad in GO MINI magazine out on the 17th of Feb.

[MATT WHITE]

Hi Stu,

Just to let you know that I saw the ad in GO MINI, looks great, and I mentioned the website on LBC 'London Radio' on the Clive Bull show. The graphics pack supplied looks great on my car and I helped Sharon and Emz with theirs, they also think it looks cool.

I see we will have company at the ring on June 11, I have sent s_and_m a message to inform him that we will be there.

I spoke with Micky at BMW he is keen to bring his cooper and he has another friend with a mcs that might be up for it.

Here's to more minis joining us.

[MATT WHITE]

Cool or what?

[EMZ]

Quote: Originally Posted by MATT WHITE

Cool or what?

She looks great Matt can't wait to get daisy finished
We're really excited can't wait for June. All the kids in school are talking about it as well

[MATT WHITE]

Hi Emz,

Good to hear from you, and I'm happy to hear the children are getting into mini mania! Good luck on your run on Sunday, sorry I can't be there as those Sunday papers have to be brought back from london by true HGV pros.

News update:

MINI-GT has decided to adopt the WHIZZ KIDZ charity, and money we raise from the sale of the graphics pack or other donations will go directly to WHIZZ KIDZ. There will soon be a link on the home page of our website to the WHIZZ KIDZ website.

Other news, the North Devon Journal will be doing a story on us, with photos, it has been suggested that we have the photos taken at Barnstaple Westerly, as this dealership have offered to support us, (exact details to be confirmed). I also hope that the Western Morning News will pick up this story as well.

Sharon & Bryan - If you read this, could you post some pics of your car with the graphics fitted, so others can see this little job in Italy is going to come off!

Keep those mini's spotless!