La
Mille Miglia, steeped in history and nostalgia. The 31st re-enactment
of the 1,000 mile Italian road race that travels from Brescia to Rome
via the east of Italy, then from Rome to Brescia via the west of Italy,
ie one lap of Italy took place over the period 16-19 May 2013.
The
scribe has long dreamed about traveling to Italy to see this extravaganza,
and finally it has happened. There are just over 400 competing cars
in this year’s event, chosen from the 1,400 odd applicants.
The list included four Australian entrants.
There
is a difference when you look at the pictures, to when you look at
something in the flesh, and the scribe was somewhat moved (almost
requiring resuscitation from a nice Italian bird) when I walked into
the Brixia Expo building on Wednesday afternoon. This visit was to
check out the scrutineering and technical checks, but it was more
than that as most of the competitors vehicles were on display, either
pending inspection or putting the number decals on.
Above
photo: One of the four Australian entered cars at the 2013
edition, the 1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva of Michael Taylor &
Greg Kable, taken at the 'Punching Ceremony' on the Piazza della Loggia
in Brescia.
The
Red Arrow is promoted as the “the most beautiful race in the
world”, and when you see cars like the Fangio 1955 Mercedes-Benz
300 SLR, along with a number of Gullwing models, one of which piloted
by Scottish golfer, Colin Montgomerie, 15 BMW 328s – including
the 1940 Mille Miglia winner, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati, Cisitalia,
OM, Lancia, Fiat, MG, Studebaker, Volkswagen, Ford, Citroen, and others,
it’s quite quite an amazing sight.
I
caught up here with Australians (Melbournians) Brendan Quinn and Peter
Strauss who are competing in Brendan’s Aston Martin DB2 Vantage,
and admired the MG K3 Magnette of Peter & Robyn Briggs of WA.
The following day at the ‘Punching Ceremony’ at Piazza
della Loggia I came across the Fiat BV Zagato of another Melbournian,
David Reedy. A stunning example, which has been housed in Europe for
two years.
The
downpour of rain caught most people out at the Piazza della Loggia,
including yours truly. The rain was steady and constant, and did not
let up from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Wind tunnels were present in parts of
the Piazza, causing umbrellas to break. Echoing through the air was
the sounds of music, including many English speaking songs; broad
range from The Beatles to AC/DC.
There
are a large number of photos from this event in the photo gallery,
including shots of the Fangio 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (No. 658),
with David Coultard at the wheel. Scottish golfer, Colin Montgomorie
was seen co-piloting the BMW factory’s 1937 BMW 328 ‘Berlin
Born’ tourer.
The
European car manufacturers get involved in a large way, releasing
many cars from their private collections (including the two mentioned
above). Mercedes-Benz entered 13 cars in total, BMW Classic, 5, Alfa
Romeo, Jaguar also with 5 and Porsche with RS 550 Spyder models. Of
the over 400 entries, 63 are of those that have participated in at
least one of the original Mille Miglia events held between 1927-1957.
Above
photo: At the start line on Viale Venezia, here is the 1925
Lorraine Dietrich B3-6 Le Mans.
The
following fact paragraph is taken from an official Mille Miglia press
release: - quite staggering.
2,000 people have been involved in the race organization process as
well as 1,000 accredited journalists and photographers. Along the
route 300 timekeepers and commissioners, as well as 20 clerks of course,
50 circulating Police Officials and 1,000 police officers from the
various municipalities crossed.
At
6:45pm on Thursday evening, the event was officially started on the
Viale Venezia in front of a large crowd, and yes, a huge down pour
of rain. The entire Mille Miglia week in the northern Italy part experienced
a large front of rain that crossed this part of Europe. The route
between Brescia and the night stop at Ferrara was altered at the last
minute due to the flooding of the Bacchigione river. After watching
the first 80 vehicles off, the scribe chose to head for the hire car
and make the three hour journey to Ferrara. Initial thought was to
follow part of the route, then divert off to Ferrara, but with the
torrential rain, decided it was best to power directly toward Ferrara.
This was short-lived as a tunnel on the A22 (from memory) was flooded
up to above the door sill, and it took 40 minutes to get through a
2 km tunnel. Not a particularly enjoyable experience, but the hire
car got through without internal water entry!
Upon
arrival into Ferrara at 11:30pm, there was no rain in sight, and looked
like none had arrived there. The cars started arriving at 12:10am,
and there are a few pictures of this arrival. I had heard of no incidents
at this point.
Above
photo: On Viale Venezia for the finish - this photo featuring
the 1930 Bugatti T40A.
Later that morning, after a short sleep, the scribe waved goodbye
to Ferrara and the MM entrants and headed toward Dosso. The Mille
Miglia was heading through to Rome. The journey to Dosso was to visit
the family-owned Ferruicio Lamborghini Museum (write-up on this visit
to appear through the overseas trip page shortly).
News
from the Quinn/Strauss camp was that Strauss is a better driver than
navigator, particularly when he thought they were on the outskirts
of Rome, but in fact they were three hours away from reaching Rome!
The only issue they experienced with the Aston was over-heating coming
into Rome. They relayed that the Italian Police have to be thanked
in the organisation of the MM as they drive ahead of the vehicles
through the towns literally pushing people out of the way so that
the entrants can continue through without unnecessary delay.
After
three weeks of continuing non-stop days, tiredness finally hit the
scribe on return to Brescia Friday night, and a visit to the Museo
Mille Miglia was all that was managed on the Saturday. A lot of research
was done prior to departure for this event, but clearly not enough
as the scribe had positioned himself in Brescia whereas to be close
to getting to roadside position in the hill pass stages of Saturday
afternoon, the Friday night stay should have being in Bologna.
For
the most part of Saturday in Brescia the weather was fine, but toward
mid-afternoon the cloud took over, and as it was approaching the expected
arrival time of entrants – another down pour! As evening arrived,
it was back to Viale Venezia for roadside viewing of the arrival of
the cars. The first to arrive were the Ferrari tribute event (not
a huge fan as it is all modern cars, and cannot see how it fits in
with the MM, apart from association with Enzo). The first car to arrive
in was the sole Brescia Bugatti in the event, quite fitting.
The
media area assigned at this spot was quite poorly arranged, as it
was not angled toward the finish – so all us photographers were
cramming for a decent shot, and in front of the area were a constant
stream of people, security and TV crews wandering past, and frequently
stopping in front of the ‘shot’. Many of the photographers,
including the scribe, were extremely disappointed with this treatment.
Above
photo: The 1953 Volkswagen Kaefer 1/11 finishes.
The
Argentinian entered Bugatti T40, number 49 was swamped on arrival
to the vehicle ramp, being declared the winner of the 2013 Mille Miglia.
From the photos in the gallery, you’ll see the car has disappeared
behind the see of press & people. Just before midnight the first
Australian crossed the line, the West Australian entry of Peter and
Robyn Briggs. The MG K3 Magnette looked to have survived the drive
well.
The
following morning it was dress-up and head to the Theatro Grande for
the Awards Ceremony. To say the word grand is an understatement. Earlier
in the week the scribe attended an Opera at the La Scala theatre in
Milan, reputed to be the best in the world. Attendance to Theatro
Grande was viewed with event more opulence. You will see quite a number
of photos of this building, the intricate detail of the finishes inside.
No Australian received awards; these were mainly taken by Italians,
Argentinians and Germans.
Above photo: The Awards Ceremony on Sunday was held
in a most impressive building in Brescia, the Theatro Grande. Check
out the photo gallery for all the shots of this building, including
the reception areas.
The
Mille Miglia remains a must event to attend, and if one has an eligible
vehicle and the funds to ship it and enter, suggestion is to do it
this way instead of spectate from the roadside. Still the scribe’s
2013 visit was not a loss, but more of a recognisance mission for
future return visit(s). Suggestion if you are wishing to attend as
a spectator is to review the route for that year (alters most years)
and map your stays according to where you can see the start and finish,
but also see one, two or more ‘on road’ passes.
Historic
Racing Australia