MINIS are hardy little cars and two Oxford couples proved that in their very own Italian Job.

Jason and Tanya Fields and Barry and Jackie Parsons joined 100 other Mini enthusiasts to take part in a series of challenges inspired by the film across Italy.

And they put their enthusiasm to good use, using The Italian Job rally to raise cash for children’s charity Variety.

The cavalcade of Minis travelled from Dover to Spa in Belgium, on to Nurburg in Germany, Trento in Italy and then Spinetta Marengo in Alessandria before reaching Turin.

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The Fields, from Headington, own 10 Minis between their five-strong family and had been waiting to take part since the rally’s inception 25 years ago.

A telecommunications manager at the Cowley Mini plant, Mr Fields said: “It was definitely worth it, it was great fun but also very tiring.

“You’re meant to be refreshed when you come back from holiday but on the Sunday we had no energy at all. My wife described it as an ‘adventure camp’ for Mini enthusiasts.”

Oxford Mail:

 Tanya and Jason Field, left, with Jackie and Barry Parsons at the start of their adventure

As part of the 2,000-mile trip, the couples got to complete a series of challenges, with the Fields putting their beloved 1990 Mini Cooper to the test.

They got to do six laps of the Modena Racetrack in their little car, revving to speeds of 50 mph.

Mr Fields said: “Tanya decided that was the last time she would get in a car with me going round a track.”

That was the case when the pack of Minis moved on to the Monza old circuit and then the F1 track to complete three flying laps. With Mrs Fields deciding she would sit that one out, the couple’s 1990 Mini Cooper sped around the Monza track at speeds of up to 90mph.

But it wasn’t just on the racing tracks that the Minis were able to show off what they could do.

The streets of Turin were closed for the 57-strong convoy to race through the city, horns blaring and flags waving.

Mr Fields said: “It was amazing and everyone really embraced it.

At every junction the police were holding the traffic back and there were Minis flying through, horns going.

“We even high-fived some locals on the way past.”

The Fields’ three children, 19-year-old Kieran and twins Jamie and Daniel, 18 all drive Minis and their bond with the car is as strong as ever after the trip.

Mr Fields said: “The bond didn’t need strengthening – with 10 Minis in the family we can’t really strengthen it anymore.”

The Fields raised just under £2,000 for Variety, a charity for disabled and disadvantaged children.

The Parsons, from Old Marston, completed the trip in their 2000 classic Mini raising a 
further £2,300 for the charity.

Mr Parsons said: “It went very well but it was very tiring, burning the candles at both ends.

“It was a week of wining, dining and driving. It was definitely worth it and I would do it again in a 
heartbeat. 

“We might even do it next year, but my treat has been ticked off for now.

“It’s good to be back, but it is a little bit flat, everyday is a normal day now. I’m still driving back and forth to week in my Mini though so I still get that drumming in my ears.”

The couples returned home on Saturday.


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