News

Press Release - 22 July 2008

BEN Goes Continental

Following the success of its Trafalgar to Red Square Rally last year, BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity, is running its own Mille Miglia event in September. The rally starts on 20 September and will finish in Rome on 29 September.

BEN’s 2600 mile rally will, however, have rather more of an international flavour than the original race from which it has borrowed its name. It starts in England, and travels through France and Switzerland before finishing the outward leg in Rome.

Classic car motorsport enthusiasts will know that Stirling Moss was the only Brit ever to win the original Mille Miglia race between Brescia and Rome in 1957. His navigator was the motorsport journalist, Denis Jenkinson, who spent his latter years at BEN’s residential nursing centre, Lynwood, in Sunninghill, near Ascot.

Charles Davis, Director of Fundraising and Communications at BEN, said, “When we launched last year’s Trafalgar to Red Square Rally we had no idea whether the event would be appealing but the level of interest was phenomenal. Everyone who took part seemed to be quoting it as an experience of a lifetime, which was exhilarating but we knew we would have to live up to expectation this year! We always set out to bring an element of excitement and innovation to our events, so with this and the pressure of last year’s success the team started laying their plans. The result is our own Mille Miglia Rally, which I know will supersede all expectation as it capitalises on the heritage of one the most exhilarating races in motoring history. Following in the footsteps of motoring legend Sir Stirling Moss, our cavalcade will certainly create a stir as it passes through Italy.”

The cost of entry for two people with a car is £4,000 and for a motorcyclist £2,500, which includes the crossings, accommodation, evening meals, soft drinks on driving days and mechanical support.

Contact Laura Williams, BEN Event Sales Executive, for more information on 01344 294 722 or email laura.williams@ben.org.uk.

Further information:
Lorna Russell at BEN
T: 01344 294765 M: 07920 138187 Fax: 01344 622042
lorna.russell@ben.org.uk