Italian Connection Rally

The Timetable

Leichhardt, Alpine Shire and Gundagai Councils join other organisations in providing support for the Italian Connection Tourism Assembly popularly known as the Italian Connection Trophy.

The Rally which will depart from Leichhardt Town Hall at 10.00 am on 22 May 2009 will make its way to its first stopover, Gundagai. Gundagai Council is closing its main street to hold the Italian Connection Motorkhana and present a classic car Show & Shine these cars will become the official escort out of town for the Rally at 10.30 am on Saturday 23 May 2009.

This is to be an annual signature autumn event for the Gundagai Community and is expected to attract visitors from nearby areas to visit the town on this day.

Along the way raising money for the great causes the Rally is supporting. Individual competitors can select their own Charity or raise money for the Official Charity: The Duchenne Foundation raising money for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy a disease that only effects boys and is 100% fatal before they reach their mid twenties. www.blueball.org.au

Gundagai - Friday 22 May 2009

At about 4.00 pm the leaders of the Italian Connection Trophy will begin arriving.

They will be directed to a special reserved area where the vehicles will remain on display for the next few hours.

The tired and thirsty drivers, their navigators and rally crew will adjourn to a yet to be nominated location to enjoy a well deserved cooling ale.

That evening it is proposed that a welcome dinner be organised at a nominated location. At approximately 7.00 pm guests will begin arriving for the Italian Connection Welcome Dinner where IC drivers and crews will get a chance to meet members of the Gundagai community.

7.40 pm the Mayor of the Gundagai officially welcomes the Italian Connection participants on behalf of the whole community (to be confirmed).

The evening will be filled music, and fun as well the all important celebrity auction, raffles and some deliciously authentic Italian cuisine gently encouraged with some fine wine.

Saturday 23 May

7.30 am Rally Competitors gather for Breakfast before preparing their vehicles for the Motorkhana

Final preparations are underway for the Motorkhana to be held on Sheridan Street

Local Car Clubs begin arriving for the Show & Shine to be welcomed by a BBQ Breakfast

8.00 am Rally competitors begin arriving and putting their vehicles in the allotted display space

8.30 am The IC Motorkhana begins.

10.30 am The Rally Field forms up for the re-start a Police escort at the ready to escort the leaders out of town (to be confirmed) the beginning of the second leg of the Italian Connection adventure.

Next stop Myrtleford.

Myrtleford

Saturday & Sunday 23 / 24 May 2009 Following last year’s enormous welcome by the people of Myrtleford and surrounding districts, this year they have created a full Italian Festa with the Rally arrival providing the highlight of their event. Check out their website http://www.festival.org.au/rally.html

At about 3.00 pm the leaders of the Italian Connection Trophy will begin arriving at Gapsted Wines about 6 kilometres out of town.

The tired and thirsty drivers, their navigators and rally crew will adjourn to a yet to be nominated location to enjoy a well deserved cooling ale.

That evening the welcome dinner will be hosted by Alpine Shire’s Mayor at the Savoy Club.

8.00 pm the Mayor of the Alpine Shire officially welcomes the Italian Connection participants on behalf of the whole community.

The evening will be filled music, and fun and a huge Italian Buffet.

THE RALLY CARS’ MELBOURNE ARRIVAL

Sunday 24 May 2009 Once the Rally reaches Melbourne the early Rally arrivals will assemble at the reserved parking area of the Abruzzo Club.

They will then form up to display their vehicles. Depending on the Club Abruzzo providing permission and having sufficient available car spaces we will invite other Classic car owners to display their vehicles as part of the occasion.

The vehicles and their drivers will remain until late in the afternoon to meet the public and enjoy the celebrations.