Thursday 10th February 2011

Sicily Hire Car Challenge 2011

Petrolhead Nirvana and PistonHeads launch a brand new tour for 2011

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Fun roads...

Sicily, home of the famed Targa Florio, Mount Etna, some of the best driver's roads around and (er) the mafia. The trouble is, this lovely island situated off the coast of Southern Italy is a long way from home and, because of that, it is difficult to integrate it into a normal driving tour.

Things like that don't stop PistonHeads driving partners Petrolhead Nirvana though, and we are proud to present a brand new tour for 2011; the Sicily Hire Car Challenge. We'll be staying in a 4-star beachfront hotel, chosen not only for the facilities but also for the proximity to the best driving roads in the area. The best bit, however, is the fact that we are doing all the driving in someone else's car - a hire car no less. We all know that there is no car faster than a hire car and that many of us enjoy going mental in a rental, so spare a thought for the fleet of Fiat Pandas (or similar) that will be awaiting us at the airport, not knowing that, rather than pootling to the beach, they will be tackling the Targa Florio.

Tour Itinerary: 27th - 30th May 2011

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Day one - UK to Sicily: Choose your own flights, (there are direct flights from Stansted and Gatwick to either Trapani or Catania) on Friday morning to begin the adventure. At the airport, your pre-booked (and fully insured) hire car will be waiting for you. Wherever you have chosen to fly into (as long as you make sure it's on Sicily of course - fly elsewhere and we wish you luck) the hotel will only be a short drive away.

...More fun roads...

Day two - Targa Florio Day: The Targa Florio was first run in 1906 and was last staged in 1977. Originally the lap was 92 miles long, but this was later cut down to 'just' 44.6 miles and we'll be doing the best bits of it. Described by some drivers as 'totally insane', this route through treacherous mountain roads, with tight hairpins and even climate changes, challenges everyone who drives it. With modern Autostradas taking most of the traffic burden, the back roads of the Targa Florio route are relatively free of traffic and we will be making the most of that, imagining what it would have been like to race those iconic Alfas, Ferraris, Mercedes, Porsches and Lancias at breakneck speeds on the relentless twists and turns, with the dust from the fields meaning grip was limited at best.

Day three - Mount Etna Day: Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanos in the world, with the last lava eruption taking place in 2008. The volcano's activity shapes the geological landscape, and is full of incredible features, helping to create the mountain roads that snake up and around the 88-mile diameter base. After the intensity of Saturday we can (if you want to) take things at a more relaxed pace, as we are heading back to the same hotel. On day three you will have the choice of following the planned driving route or can leave the car and take some time out to do some exploring of your own - the choice is yours.

Day four - Sicily to UK: Depending on what time your flight is there may be a chance to either enjoy the hotel facilities one last time, or head out for another drive of your favourite roads. Either way it'll be a sad moment when you hand back the keys to the hire car and board your flight home. That said, you can always come back again next year!

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Just imagine - this could be you...

What's Included? Share of a hire car, 2 Tour Managers, 3 nights 4* beachside hotel accommodation with dinner, bed and breakfast. Sat-nav files, walkie talkies, info packs with route notes, maps and general info.

What's Not? Flights, drinks, lunch, fuel, tolls.

The tour is priced at £599 per person, to reserve your space a deposit payment of £250 is required per person. Give the team a call on [phone] with your credit or debit card ready, and we'll have you booked on tour in no time.

Book before the end of February and you'll qualify for a 10% discount, making it £539 per person

By booking your place on tour, you accept our terms and conditions. Please make sure you've read our (not so) small print here. For more information see here.

[doodles19]

So, I take it you have to be 21/5+?

[Steff]

My prediction -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dO0c8f2a_M

[VerySideways]

doodles19 said:

So, I take it you have to be 21/5+?

Minimum age is 23, BUT if you are under 25 there is a small surcharge payable (€16 per day).

Book before the end of February and you'll qualify for a 10% discount, making it £539 per person.

When you call to book we can also provide advice on the best places to book your flights

[Dagnut]

Is it still 599 person if you bring the missus along? only using 1 car?

[Cole Trickle]

now that looks like a lot of fun!

could well be up for that, will have a think

is the hire car definitely Italian - no point if it an Opel or Kia...

[VerySideways]

Dagnut said:

Is it still 599 person if you bring the missus along? only using 1 car?

Yep, book before end of Feb and it's £539 per person, so for you and your missus in 1 car it would be £1078.

[VerySideways]

Cole Trickle said:

now that looks like a lot of fun!

could well be up for that, will have a think

is the hire car definitely Italian - no point if it an Opel or Kia...

Unfortunately they can't guarantee the type of car, but it's LIKELY to be a Fiat Panda (and i have requested 12 Fiat Pandas!)

[Cole Trickle]

VerySideways said:

Unfortunately they can't guarantee the type of car, but it's LIKELY to be a Fiat Panda (and i have requested 12 Fiat Pandas!)

understood, but would need to know it was going to be an Italian car
what MIGHT it be if not Panda?
just to explain i am a Fiat fan and that is one of the main attractions of this event

[doodles19]

VerySideways said:

doodles19 said:

So, I take it you have to be 21/5+?

Minimum age is 23, BUT if you are under 25 there is a small surcharge payable (€16 per day).

Book before the end of February and you'll qualify for a 10% discount, making it £539 per person.

When you call to book we can also provide advice on the best places to book your flights

I'm 20 .

Darn my small number of years, I would have definitely been up for this!

[ironictwist]

....Argh!

[TonyHetherington]

One of the best drives I've had was in a rented Punto in Rome up in the hills.

[VerySideways]

Cole Trickle said:

understood, but would need to know it was going to be an Italian car
what MIGHT it be if not Panda?
just to explain i am a Fiat fan and that is one of the main attractions of this event

Just says Fiat Panda or similar. The next class up says Lancia Ypsilon or similar.
Bearing in mind it's Sicily, i can't see why they wouldn't use italian cars

[HVAC MATT]

VerySideways said:

Yep, book before end of Feb and it's £539 per person, so for you and your missus in 1 car it would be £1078.

so if i book by my self (billy no mates) i get a car and hotel room for 539.

what happens if the other half wants to come a spend her time at the hotel suning her self? can you pay to just upgrade the room?

[VerySideways]

If you book by yourself you'll be sharing a car and a room with someone else.
If you'd like a single room and/or a car to yourself this can be arranged (at extra cost).

If your other half comes he/she is free to stay at the hotel and soak up the rays - the hotel is right by the beach and has it's own swimming pool too

[HVAC MATT]

how much extra for a car to your self?

[louismchuge]

I hope the rental company don't see this or they may think twice!

[VerySideways]

HVAC MATT said:

how much extra for a car to your self?

At this point in time around £70.

[Robatr0n]

Hire car challenge? That sounds familiar!

[chumleyuk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEh4CljTAfs

[love84]

Brilliant idea. Spent 2009 summer holiday hooning around the Tuscan hills in a sick yellow, base model Panda as in the picture. Screams from passengers in the back were slightly distracting though....