The first stage is a gentle 47 miles through the vine-strewn landscape to Vignola followed by a perilous 191 miles up the autostrada to Turin, location for the original film. Perilous because of the pouring rain.Fans of the film will remember the moment when Minis drive across the roof-top track of the former Fiat factory in Turin, which was converted into Le Meridien hotel by the Genoese architect Renzo Piano. Most drivers are eager to get their Minis up to the roof to re-enact that famous scene For my part, I'm eager to get to the shops. The hotel is part of a multi-purpose complex that includes a galleried shopping arcade, hosting some of Italy's finest fashion outlets.This is our last night and we bid our farewells. I'm not going home with a van load of gold but I've got some great memories and we managed to finish The BMW Mini certainly passed the test, even if Andy didn't. Reckon I'm going to trade him in for a Mini Cooper S.GIVE ME THE FACTSHow to get thereThe 2005 Italian Job rally runs from 29 October to 5 November.

Raising money for the National Children's Homes charity is a condition of entry, with a target of around £1,500 per car. The entry fee is £500 for a car and two passengers, who can also be sponsored. The organisers provide ferry crossings and an itinerary to the event. Accommodation and meals, arranged by the organisers, average £65 a day and £300 should be budgeted for petrol and tolls. The car does not need to be rally-prepared and a UK driving licence is sufficient.Further informationContact Freddie St George on 01273 418100 ( ).. Teams line up behind pace cars, and our circuit of the famous track begins.

We are not allowed to do more than 60mph, but even at that speed several cars skid out of control on tight bends.Next day is spent in and around Imola, but the day after, we are exploring again. Everything is calculated in fractions of a second, even a trip to the loo.It's on to Forl?and the breathtaking Piazza al Saffi. We wander off to one of the cafes that nestle behind ancient stone colonnades. A quick shot of caffeine then on to the Formula One track at Imola. It's even better if you have blinds pulled down over the back window. Stopping at motorway service stations may cost you more than you think. If you are approached by someone to "mind" your car, you would be wise to hand over a euro or two Remember that a caffe is an espresso.