MILLE MIGLIA

Tuscany has something very special to offer car enthusiasts: the Mille Miglia (means one thousand miles). This legendary race car was first organized in 1927 and was held on public roads throughout the Italian peninsula. After the Italian Grand Prix was moved from Brescia to Monza in 1922, the two sports car enthusiasts Maggi and Franco Mazzotti Aymo from Brescia looked for a way to bring a big car race back to their hometown.

They chose a route from Brescia cross Italy to Rome and back again. This resulted in the eponymous course of about 1600 kilometres or 1000 miles. Since the start in 1927 until 1947 almost all races were won by Italians who dominated the Mille Miglia race together with Alfa Romeo. Not only fast sport cars but also small touring cars participated and, curiously, a Fiat 500, which reached the chequered flag after only 20 hours. In 1957 after 30 years, the Mille Miglia was cancelled after a serious accident but was restarted in 1977 in a modified form.

Since then, a new version is held every year with classic cars that are similar to those that previously took part in the race. Now it is more about consistency and reliability than speed.

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