welcome to: lancia sliding pillar

about the 2005 edition

about the 2003 edition

about the 2002 edition

about the first european sliding pillar meeting

about the original sliding pillar rally

the 2004 sliding pillar rally

18-21 june, Isle of Portland & Dorset

With each passing year, the annual opportunity provided by this well-established event becomes ever more rewarding for all those who truly appreciate the unique combination of avant-garde design, beautiful engineering and driver satisfaction found in classic Lancias.

For the last three years the Sliding Pillar rally has alternated between England and the Belgian Ardennes. It is once again time in 2004 for the Sliding Pillar Rally to return home to England. This year the rally will be based on the Isle of Portland on England’s South Coast, famous for its pale Portland limestone which has been used in the construction of many important buildings, including Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral. To the North of Portland is the seaside town of Weymouth, popularised by King George III who visited in 1789, and to the west the 10 mile long Chesil Beach, which is up to 40 feet high in places with a lagoon behind. Portland is situated within the county of Dorset, known as Thomas Hardy Country.

Our hotel for the weekend is the Portland Heights Hotel, located as its name suggests on the very top of the Island, with panoramic views of Chesil Beach, Weymouth, and across Weymouth Bay. The hotel has comfortable rooms, a swimming pool and restaurant with exceptional views back towards the mainland.

As this is a popular tourist area, hotel rooms are at a premium, therefore rooms will be booked strictly on a first come first served basis. Rooms will only be reserved upon receipt of full payment. There will be a reserve list, and refunds for cancellations will only be made if the booking can be resold. Demand is very likely to exceed supply.

programme

Friday 18th June

14:00 onwards — Arrive at the hotel
15:00 onwards — Registration and free time to visit perhaps Portland Castle or Portland Bill
20:00 — Welcome dinner in panoramic restaurant

Saturday 19th June

08:00 — Breakfast
09:30 — Drive to Lulworth Cove - free time to explore
11:30 — Drive on to Corfe Castle - visit
12:30 — Picnic lunch
14:00 — Scenic drive through Thomas Hardy Country

Optional visit to Lawrence of Arabia’s Cottage - Clouds Hill
View the Cerne Abbas Giant

15:30 — Visit Thomas Hardy (of seafaring fame) monument

Stunning views over Chesil Beach if weather is fine!

16:30 — Return to hotel - free time
20:00 — Dinner in panoramic restaurant

Sunday 20th June

08:00 — Breakfast
10:00 — Drive via Melbury Abbas to Shaftesbury

Meet up with Day Rally Participants

12:30 — Visit Shaftesbury Abbey ruins and Gold Hill

Very short drive to the Royal Chase Hotel on outskirts of Shaftesbury for traditional Sunday Roast Lunch

14:30 — Drive towards Wimborne for visit of Kingston Lacy House and afternoon cream tea

End of Day Rally

17:30 — Weekend rally participants return to hotel
20:00 — Farewell dinner in panoramic restaurant

Monday 21st June

08:00 onwards — Breakfast
09:00 onwards — Goodbyes until next year

price list

Full Weekend Package

From Friday evening to Monday morning including all meals and visits (wine with evening dinner) based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Car & driver — £ 250
Passenger — £ 200
Single occupancy supplement — £ 25

As room numbers are very limited only the full weekend package is available. Sorry no part-packages available this year! (Except for the one-day rally on Sunday of course)