The Best Drives with the Mille Miglia

The spectacle of the Mille Miglia belongs on the list of things you have to experience at least once in a lifetime.
But how can you take part in the Mille Miglia?

Participation in the Mille Miglia: The Application Process

The participation places are in great demand.

• An estimated 1,500 applications will be recieved per year.
• From that, less than 400 teams are typically admitted to the race.
• Including the spots reserved to sponsors, approximately 250 starting numbers will remain.

Which Classic Cars Are Allowed at The Mille Miglia?

Important Additional Qualifications That Can Help

The Mille Miglia Committee strives for a varied starting field. That is why you have the best chances with exotic species

If you are one of the lucky ones, you only have to pay the entry fee of approximately € 6,000 – and you’re in, despite all of the hurdles during the application process.

The Route of The Mille Miglia

Every year, the route of the Mille Miglia slightly changes. However, some key points will remain the same:

1. The start of the race always takes place in Brescia, where the founding fathers started the Mille Miglia in 1927. This was apparently in response to its neighboring city of Milan being selected as the first grand-pix course in 1922. The technical car inspection in downtown Brecia is the first of many rally highlights, and offers a great opportunity to view a fine line-up of pre-war race cars up close and personal.

2. The apex of the Mille Miglia has, according to tradition, remained in Rome. The vehicle parade there is another highlight of the rally.

3. The route leads back to the North from Rome. The stop at Siena’s Piazza Il Campo, home to the Palio horserace, is one of the most spectacular highlights to experience every year

4. The finish line is also set in Brescia– at least for those who belong to the sports and classic car scene and make it to the finish line!

Roadblocks and Drills at The Mille Miglia

If you have somehow managed to secure one of the coveted spots at the Mille Miglia, please familiarize yourself with the rules of the rally.

You’ve probably already raced at one of the existing classic car rallies. The Mille Miglia works the same either way.

• There is a roadbook with the so-called "Chinese characters" that show you the way. In addition, the entire route is marked with the famous red arrow, the logo of the Mille Miglia.
• There also is time controls and stamping points, the Mille Miglia can only be won through section control:You have to cover given sections at a certain time. The smaller the deviation, the more points you earn.

When, where and how the tests work exactly, can be found in the roadbook.

Experience The Mille Miglia with Nostalgic

The thrill of the Mille Miglia can also be experienced in a stylish and more relaxed way: with Nostalgic. Here, we will spare you the trouble of going through the application process, while promising red carpet treatmont along the way (for all those who are not Academy Award or Olympic athletes!) With us, you are a VIP,with or without the Olympic award or Grammy!

You will be able to relax in a luxurious country resort and privately enjoy the most beautiful landscapes of Tuscany, while at the same time experience first-hand the wonder of Mille Miglia, including driving the Mille Miglia, in our stylish Alfa Romeo classics, get in touch with the drivers and their race cars at the Piaazza il Campo. It's worth the experience.

We have been offering this unique travel experience for many years. Every year it is the first trip that is fully booked.

But it's not just about the journey; it's about the spirit of competition that ignites the hearts of racers and enthusiasts alike. Over 100 regularity tests will challenge teams to display precision and consistency, while 28 stamp points and 16 time checkpoints will keep participants on their toes every step of the way. It's a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer determination, set against the backdrop of Italy's timeless beauty.

Joining the ranks of legendary marques like Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, and Ferrari, Mille Miglia 2024 promises to be a celebration of automotive excellence. With participants hailing from over 40 different countries, the event's global appeal is undeniable. From classic Alfa Romeos to rare gems from long-forgotten automakers, the race brings together a dazzling array of vintage automobiles, each with its own story to tell. Don't miss your chance to witness history in motion as Mille Miglia 2024 takes center stage, captivating audiences with the magic of classic motorsports and the enduring legacy of Italian craftsmanship. Moreover, the event consistently attracts celebrities and motorsport legends, including a host of renowned former racers like Ellen Lohr, Jochen Mass, Miki Biasion, Christian Geistdörfer, Giancarlo Fisichella, and Mille Miglia record holder Sir Stirling Moss, adding a touch of star power to the timeless endurance race.

Mittags-Stopp in Siena

Alfa Romeo Shines Bright at Mille Miglia Anniversary Celebration

As the sun sets on another spectacular Mille Miglia event, one marque stands tall amid the celebration of automotive excellence. In the year of its 110th anniversary, Alfa Romeo once again proved its dominance on the historic race track, clinching victory in a triumphant display of skill and passion.

Amidst the scenic backdrop of Italy's countryside, the father-and-son duo of Andrea and Roberto Vesco emerged victorious, piloting a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Super Sport Zagato to double glory. Their triumph not only secured Alfa Romeo's place in Mille Miglia history but also underscored the brand's enduring legacy in the world of motorsports.

But the celebrations didn't end there. With Alfa Romeo claiming multiple top positions, including a remarkable 5th place finish, the marque's dominance echoed throughout the event. From the iconic Viale Venezia in Brescia to the winding roads of Siena, Alfa Romeo showcased its unmatched heritage and performance prowess, leaving a lasting impression on spectators and competitors alike.

As the curtain falls on another unforgettable chapter in the storied legacy of Mille Miglia, Alfa Romeo stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of automotive excellence. With each victory, the marque reaffirms its place in history, inspiring generations of enthusiasts to embrace the thrill of the open road and the timeless beauty of Italian design.

The orgins of the thousand-mile race (Italian: “mille miglia”) lie in the age-old rivalry between Milan and Brescia. After the contract for the construction of Italy’s first Grand Prix track in Monza near Milan was awarded in 1925, resourceful merchants from Brescia countered with a virtual race track: instead of a circuit, the same track length as in the Grand Prix, namely 1,600 kilometers, should be driven overland. A race across the Italian peninsula, with a prestigious apex in the Eternal City, was a good choice. And we were blessed with this majesty of races.

Mille Miglia hautnah

Die Nostalgic Oltimerreise zur Mille Miglia lässt autobegeisterte Herzen höher schlagen . Want to find out even more about this special trip? You will get a great insight into the Mille Miglia adventure from our tour guide Ludwig. In his Travelogue to the Mille Miglia he shares his impressions and emotions: This is how Ludwig experienced the classic car trip to the Mille Miglia.

A Show Featuring The Rich and Famous

Over time, the modern Mille Miglia has quickly become a showcase of celebrities: from sport personalities, major figures in politics and economics, to actors and musicians regurlarly participate in the event.

test
bei der Mille Miglia 2016.

The media interest in the Mille Miglia is fittingly high: no other classic car rally draws so much attention, far beyond that of the true vintage car scene. Many celebrities eagerly collect classical cars, some to such an extent that their collections have become famous over time.

Prominent classic car collections

The collections from Ralph Lauren and Jay Leno have achieved worldwide notoriety:

• The fashion icon Ralph Lauren has built up one of the most renowned collections. With an estimated Total value beyond 150 million euros.
• Late Night presenter Jay Leno owns more than 200 classic cars.
• Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr. Bean, is a passionate collector of classic English-style cars.
• Nicolas Cage and Eric Clapton share a mutual enthusiasm for early model Ferraris.
• The Panini family, who have made their fortune from teenager soccer collection stickers, proudly owns the largest Maserati collection.

Maserati A6 GCS53: Maserati icon and serial winner with 40 important racing victories. Value: approx. 3 million euros.

Celebritiy Drivers at The Mille Miglia

The Mille Miglia is the perfect stage for renowned collectors to showcase their valuable vintage cars.

Let’s take a look at which drivers registered before 2016. The list contains musicians, actors, politicians, and former Formula 1 drivers:

Is there an alternative to the Mille Miglia?

Among the classic car rallies, the Mille Miglia clearly attracts the most attention.

It is clearly the absolute number one among classic car events when it comes to media hype and flashbulbs. Medienrummel und Blitzlichtgewitter geht.

But away from the hustle and bustle, in recent years a second event has stealthily become a real alternative for true classic car fans:

The Gran Premio Nuvolari. 

Is the Gran Premio Nuvolari "better" than the Mille Miglia? ? We dare to say: in many respects it certainly is.

In what way exactly? Find out!

PART II

The Golden Years for Alfa Romeo and Ferrari 

Rudolf Caracciola bei der Zieleinfahrt in Brescia

All Winners of The Mille Miglia: From 1927 – 1957

Enzo Ferrari Makes Alfa Romeo Invincible

The exit of Alfa Romeo from motor sports

The ‚Scuderia Ferrari‘ is born

Mille Miglia up close – 1st story

The Record Run of 1955: Hussar Ride and Racing Milestones

Every Mille Miglia fan should know it: The incredible story of Stirling Moss' infamous triumphant drive in the Mercedes-Benz SLR at the 1955 Mille Miglia, which made unforgettable racing history. Every Mille Miglia fan should know about the incredible story about the race with Stirling Moss behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SLR at the 1955 Mille Miglia.

The racing team Moss and Jenkinson mastered the 992-mile circuit in just 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds, which corresponds to an average speed of little less than 160 km/ h. With their victory, history had been written.

Completing a race in such a short amount of time is hard to imagine, given the fact that the entire route included country roads that had not been previously closed off to local traffic. The race team had to be ready for unexpected obstacles on the road at any given time. To this day, the ride of Stirling Moss is considered a “hussar” ride and a milestone in motorsports history. Juan Manuel Fangio, one of the best ever behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz race car, crossed the finish line a half an hour later.

Chapter 1 – The Top Favorites for Victory In 1955

Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin were poised for a podium finish along with the race cars from Stuttgart. When it came to racers however, the Mercedes-Benz team was superior to its rivals: Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio, Hans Herrmann and Karl Kling were known as world class drivers. Each of them had what it took to win at the Mille Miglia. Nevertheless, their opponents were not to be underestimated: Paolo Marzotto, Piero Taruffi, Peter Collins, Count Trips and Umberto Maglioli were top drivers in their own right.

Chapter 2 – The Perfect Start: Ferrari Takes The Lead Early Against Mercedes-Benz

Stirling Moss got off to a slow start as the race began. Barely off the starting line, Moss had already found himself behind three Ferraris who took an early lead. There was nothing to suggest that the British duo in the Mercedes-Benz would go on to break the biggest record in the history of the Mille Miglia. Castelotti, who was behind the wheel of a Ferrari, was also lucky enough to get off to a head start. Although he was unbeatable on the first leg of the Mille Miglia, his driving style was too much for his Ferrari: his car broke down close to Pescara. His teammate Marzotto, who was the driver of the second Ferrari, unfortunately had to drop out of the race due to a flat tire. A spare tire was mounted on the wrong rim and did not fit properly on the race car.

Chapter 3 – Stirling Moss Strikes Back With His Mercedes-Benz

Due to car trouble, The two toughest rivals were forced to drop out of the race. Faster refueling enabled Moss to lead the race for the first time as he overtook Taruffi’s third Ferrari. Upon entering Rome, Moss´s lead over second-placed Taruffi continued for more than a minute. Suddenly, Fangio´s car began to have engine problems, resulting in a crash just outside the gates of Rome. Given that Rome was the apex of the race, a team leading at half-time in Rome and subsequently winning the Mille Miglia was a first in the event´s history.

Chapter 4 – A Huge Triumph – Die Triumphfahrt beginnt

The return journey to Brescia from Rome became a veritable triumph for the top two. At the Siena control point, Moss and Jenkings were in the lead by five minutes. After passing Florence, the infamous Passo della Futa awaited them. However, Moss and Jenkinson cleared the area brilliantly. The flat fields leading past Bologna helped them secure the lead. The dream duo led eventual runner-up Fangio by an impressive 27 minutes in the area of Modena, which is btw home to Enzo Ferrari. Unfortunately, Karl Herrmann was forced to withdraw from the race due to an accident. At that moment, all potential rivals for the title were either out of the race or were too far behind to catch up. By the time they reached the finish line in Brescia, team Moss-Jenkinson was more than half an hour ahead of second-placed Fangio and just under 45 minutes ahead of Umberto Maglioli’s best Ferrari, which was in third place.

Chapter 5 – The Secret of The Record-Breaking Run

How could such a groundbreaking triumph be possible given the circumstances?

• Well for one, Stirling Moss was a gifted racer. Before the Mille Miglia, he never won the World Cup. In fact, he was runner-up four times and won a total of 16 races throughout his career.

• Although the Mercedes-Benz SLR was a winning car, it did not match up to the Ferraris in the World Cup.

• The combination of Fangio and the Mercedes-Benz SLR was considered stronger and therefore a top favorite for winning the race.

Moss and Jenkinson succeeded because they did something no one had done before. Today, it is considered a standard procedure while preparing for a race: they conducted a detailed route inspection which ensured success for all endurance races

What is standard in today’s rally sport races had been invented by the British´s success story at the Mille Miglia: a detailed written logbook that described roadways in painstaking detail, allowing the driver to drive at maximum speed in confusing areas.

Chapter 6 – Moss´s Trump Card Against The Legend Fangio

Co-driver and motorsport journalist Dennis Jenkinson spent months visiting the track of the Mille Miglia before the start of the race to gather info and record it to a logbook. Moss blindly trusted his co-pilot’s notes and used it to his advantage over his competitors. Of course, the great weather conditions and a bit of luck on the track also played a role in helping Moss write racing history and create an all-time record.

Mille Miglia close up and personal – 2nd story

The Tragedy That Marked The End of The Mille Miglia

In its 30-year-history, the Mille Miglia was an adrenaline rush and a joy for all in the racing world, but it all came to an abrupt end. Read on about how a tragedy ended the original Mille Miglia back in 1957.

Chapter 1 – Folk Celebration at The Mille Miglia

In the villages and small towns of the Mantua province, which belongs to the Italian region of Lombardy, the modern age had not arrived yet for all. There was hardly any industry, and the people still worked in agriculture and small businesses.

People here therefore earned a modest living. At the same time, the economic boom in the industrial triangle cities of Milan, Turin, and Genoa was responsible for creating a middle class that could afford essentials such as a washing machine, a car, and later a television.

However, this economic upturn did not reach the sleepy nests of the countryside.

The more exciting events were welcomed in this community, because they promised them a small relief from the everyday field work and church services.

So, it is no wonder that the people of the community were always electrified by the futuristic-looking cars racing by during the Mille Miglia every year in May and could hardly wait to hear the roaring engines.

Chapter 2 – 1957: The Fateful Year and The 24th Mille Miglia

It was a warm and sunny Sunday in the municipality of Cavriana.

Hundreds of people came on foot, by bicycle and by bus to attend the Mille Miglia. They all came together in the isloated homesteads which lined the Strada Statale 236 Goitese – a narrow paved strip of road with irrigation ditches.

Once a year, several hundred sports cars raced like lightning through the desolate Campagna.

From here, 50km remained before reaching the finish line Brescia after more than 1500 kilometers.

Victory was within reach.

The 24th edition of the Mille Miglia, a thousand-mile race across the Italian peninsula, turned the fields and villages along the route into a huge modern folk festival. The heroes in their loud sports cars, the smell of gasoline and the screeching of tires was so different from the bleak everyday life.

Chapter 3 – The Red Ferraris Dominate at The Mille Miglia

Eight-year-old Giovanni Conzato passed the time before the start of the race by playing with his playmates in the homestead ‚Corte Colomba‘. They were happy that church activities were canceled on this particular Sunday due to the ‚Mille Miglia‘.

With him were his two siblings Virginio and Valentina Rigon, ten and six years old respectively.

The race took place on public roads with almost no protective barriers and staff to control them.

The audience trusted the drivers and their race cars.

Experiencing this type of action up close and personal gave an adrenalin rush and thrill which made men, children and women wave enthusiastically from the roadside.

On this fateful race day in May, Enzo Ferrari‘s cars, which were built in nearby Modena, were far ahead of the competition. It was him who had looked after the Alfa Romeo racing cars two decades earlier at the Mille Miglia before starting his own automobile company.

 Chapter 4 – A Huge Triumph – „Vinca Taruffi!“ – Enzo Ferraris fatale Forderung

29-year-old Spanish aristocrat Alfonso de Portago enjoyed a succesful career as a jockey and bobsleigh athlete before he was recruited by Le Mans winner Luigi Chinetti to be a co-driver for the Carrera Panamericana.

In 1956, Enzo Ferrari offered the newcomer a spot on his production team. A short time afterwards, on May 12, 1957, he was driving a Ferrari 335 S and had learned at the last service stop that he was on the way to finishing fourth place.

Earlier this morning, the Spaniard had spilled some milk at breakfast, which is a bad omen.

Before the start of the race, he handed the race director of the ‚Scuderia Ferrari‘ a note with his wife´s contact information.

On Sunday at 2.30pm, Enzo Ferrari saw his drivers pass through Bologna. He ordered: ‚Vinca Taruffi!‘ (Taruffi should win!).

For Ferrari, a magnificent victory was achieved: after the failure of team drivers Peter Collins, Piero Taruffi and Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips were in first and second places, respectively, followed by Gendebien, albeit behind the wheel of a less-powerful racing car, the 250 GT Scaglietti.

Meanwhile, Alfonso de Portago was unhappy. Perhaps the ambitious aristocratic bon vivant thought that fourth place was a humiliating. Because he secretly knew that he had a chance with his larger-capacity, 4.1-liter twelve-cylinder engine – on the 5 km-long straight behind Goito towards Guidizzolo.

In a previous interview, de Portago had talked about fear: ‚Fear is the knowledge of impending danger … I like the feeling of fear. In the end, you get used to it and need it more and more of it‘.

Chapter 5 – A Stroke of Misfortune

What exactly happened shortly after 4.00 pm on this Sunday in the northern Italian province remained controversial even in later court hearings.

What appears to be certain is that Portago’s car on the long straight, the Strada Statale 236 Goitese near Santa Colomba – was traveling at a speed of at least 200 km/ h. Some sources say that the speed was 250 km/ h.

And then tragedy struck..

According to contemporary sources, a damaged fender which had not been repaired in order to save time caused a flat tire, which subsequently caused the driver to lose control of the Ferrari, crashing into a telegraph pole, flying into an adjacent moat from which it catapulted out and finally crashed right into the audience. The destroyed vehicle came to a stop only a hundred meters away. Alfonso de Portago and his co-driver, the American journalist Edvard Gurner Nelson, as well as Roberto, Virginio, Valentina, two more children and four adults died from the crash. Twenty people were seriously injured.

He touched the curb. Burst.

De Portago lost control of the Ferrari. First crashed into a telegraph pole. Then fell into the adjacent moat. Was catapulted out of there again.

And flew into the audience.

Only a hundred meters further did the completely destroyed vehicle come to a standstill.

With Alfonso de Portago and his co-driver, the American journalist Edvard Gurner Nelson, Roberto, Virginio and Valentina, two other children and four adults died.

Twenty people were seriously injured.

The dead were laid out on homestead kitchen tables. Priest Pio came and identified the bodies and provided comfort the injured. Bystanders creaded makeshift stretchers from nearby argicultural equipment. News of the tragedy was broadcasted by the official Italian news agency ANSA.

Chapter 6 – Enzo Ferrari, The Scapegoat

Enzo Ferrari had previously lost several race car drivers due to fatal accidents. But the events of May 12, 1957 shook him deeply.

After the catastrophe of Le Mans, with 84 deaths just two years ago, the opposers of public car racing voiced their opinion in Italy as well.

Even from his own ranks, one can speculate that de Portago reluctantly signed up for this edition of the Mille Miglia, realizing the danger of open street racing. He was probably persuaded by Enzo Ferrari to race. It could not be determined whether or not Enzo Ferrari persuaded his driver de Portago in Bologna, fearing a breakdown of Gendebia.

The victory at 24th annual Mille Miglia was overshadowed by the nationwide outpour of grief and criticism that placed the blame in large part on Enzo Ferrari.

The Mille Miglia became known as the – Cemetery for Men and Children – Stop It‘—the local press publically criticized the man from Modena.

With powerful support from the church and state, most people believed that races such as Mille Miglia should be banned.

Although several lawsuits against the tire manufacturer as well as the ‚Commendatore‘ did not result in convictions, people believed that Enzo Ferrari was morally responsible for the tragedy.

Ferrari struggled with all of the criticism, eventually contemplating whether or not he should completely retire from racing. In the end, he decided to stay, but stood away from all future racing events unless special circumstances arose.