All Photographs of Shropshire by kind premission of Shropshire Tourism www.shropshiretourism.co.uk

Lancia Motor Club 2009 Giro di Salopia & AGM

The national rally again spans a full weekend, from the afternoon of Friday 10th July to the afternoon of Sunday 12th July, carefully scheduled to avoid Wimbledon and the British GP!

This year, the event is being run in conjunction with the Giro di Salopia. The Giro team has pulled out the stops to compile yet more fantastic routes taking advantage of the roads and lovely countryside around Shrewsbury. To cater for all tastes, we have arranged a choice of routes, from the leisurely to the more adventurous.

This is a social event with cars, not a car event with socialising!

The Giro di Salopia

A relatively new event to the LMC calendar, but already firmly established as a popular, friendly and informal gathering of Lancisti. The event is held to celebrate the countryside of Shropshire, and more explicitly, the gorgeous roads which are hard to rival with sweeping bends set against a backdrop of rolling hills.

For this year, the Giro forms the backbone of the AGM weekend, with the Giro team the foundations of the activity organisation. If you haven’t experienced the Giro di Salopia before, you’ve missed out – but it’s not too late! Join us this year and familiarise yourself with the route to the area. We’re confident you’ll be back next year!

For those who want to make it up themselves, Shropshire offers many more options than those listed below, including stately homes and deer parks, ruined Roman towns, vineyards, and hill walking - and we might even point you towards the famed Ceri ring, roads renowned by motoring journalists and used by the Giro last year.

Route 1 – Driving & Scenery

Driving out of Shrewsbury, and heading south into the country up the wonderful Hope Valley road towards Bishops Castle, then climbing up to Stiperstones for wonderful views across the county, and the chance of a walk up to the wild stones themselves.  Then a challenging drive on narrow hill roads over the top of the Long Mynd and down into the pretty little town of Church Stretton, for refreshments, before returning north to Shrewsbury.

Route 2 – Castle Collection

South from Shrewsbury along the Hope Valley, then heading east for a first stop at the medieval fortified manor house at Stokesay Castle.  Then press on south to the gorgeous market town of Ludlow, renowned for great independent shops, some of the best restaurants in the Midlands, and a truly fantastic 'towers and ramparts' castle.

Route 3 – Ruins and Ruination

Head north from Shrewsbury towards the market town of Wem, and the fantastic follies of Hawkstone Park - caves, towers and country walks for children of all ages.  The choice for anyone who wants to burn off energy, get some fresh air and build up an appetite for the evening meal.

Route 4 – Explore locally

Into Shrewsbury for the delights of one of Britain's most attractive towns.  Built in a loop of the River Severn, and with its ancient street pattern largely intact, Shrewsbury is a great place to spend a relaxing day shopping, sightseeing and enjoying a leisurely lunch.

The National Rally

As ever on Sunday, we encourage Lancia owners from far and wide to bring and display their pride and joy for the enjoyment of all. We will be holding the usual concours competition to celebrate those in particularly spectacular condition.

With 2009 being the 30th anniversary of the Delta’s launch in the UK, we thought it a great idea to theme the event around Deltas. We’d like to see as many Deltas gathered in place as possible – regardless of age, regardless of condition, regardless of horsepower, bring your Delta and help us celebrate this landmark model!

The AGM

Get involved and have your say! Join the Committee in discussing how the year went, and what we have planned for the forthcoming year. Free tea and coffee will be available throughout the AGM, and also available for those just browsing the cars on display.

Further information

Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas are rich with visitor attractions and beautiful scenery. If you have the time, we can recommend extending your stay either side of the national rally. Please contact the hotel directly for room availability.

For more information on the area and its attractions, please visit
www.shropshiretourism.co.uk and www.virtualshropshire.co.uk.

The Hotel

Hotel: Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, Shrewsbury
Address: Ellesmere Road, Albrighton, Shrewsbury, SY4 3AG
Phone: 01939 291000

Directions

Via the M6, exit at Junction 10a and join the M54. Continue for approximately 30 minutes until you reach a roundabout. Take the second exit from this roundabout onto the A49. Take the second exit at the next three roundabouts and the fourth exit from the one after that, heading towards Wem on the A528. The hotel is 1 mile further along on the left.

These directions and a map are available from the hotel’s website. Please see http://tinyurl.com/baf79x

Other Accommodation Options

We recognise that there’s not so much money in circulation as in previous years, and have worked hard to keep the package costs down. We hope that you will be able to join us at the Mercure hotel. However, there are other accommodation options available locally which will still allow you to join all the activities.

Local Travelodge:            http://tinyurl.com/cb56xz
Local campsites:            http://tinyurl.com/bsycxw

A non-residential booking form is available from the website, the forum, and from Harvey (07967 603396, harvey@lancia.me.uk). This form allows you to select particular elements of the package exclusive of the hotel accommodation – ideal if you’re joining for just the day, using alternative accommodation, or if you live locally to the hotel.

Programme

The provisional programme of events is as follows:

Friday 10th July – Early Birds

15:00 onwards Check in at hotel
20:00 Barbeque at hotel [meal cost included in 2 night package]

Saturday 11th July – The Giro di Salopia

08:00 – 10:00 Breakfast [meal cost included in 2 night package]
c. 10:00 Choose a route and depart at your leisure!
- includes a stop for lunch [meal not included in package]

• includes optional visits at additional cost

15:00 onwards Saturday night residents can check-in at hotel
19:30 for 20:00 Lancia Motor Club Gala Dinner [meal cost included]
- with speaker

Facilities available:

• Health suite (swimming pool, sauna, gym)

• Day membership for non-residents - £5
• Spa treatments available at extra cost – please contact the hotel for details

• Complimentary tea and coffee (Sunday morning)
• Acres of landscaped gardens for children to enjoy