What's it really like to drive the mille miglia?

2y ago
2.9K
- In 2014 the Mille Miglia organization decided to move from the Piazza Della Loggia square (pictured) to Piazza Della Vittoria. A modern square build on top of a carpark. A place where the cars certainly look out-of-place.
- Tourists. It is getting worse by the year. People sharing the Mille Miglia route and the lawless fast driving. Sure, some people take their Porsche or Lamborghini, and they might be nice chaps. But at this point it is out of control!
- The people and their cars entering the Mille Miglia are changing as well. Some will stop participating after having done a dozen editions, others simply don't applaud the changes made.
- Of course the whole idea of the new-Mille Miglia is a more relaxed rally instead of the race it used to be. Started out as a night + 2 days event, it's now up to 4 days. No more late nights and sense of achievement when arriving back in Brescia.
- The role of the police changed accordingly. They used to help you ignore traffic lights, make way on a dual B-road and warn traffic in general. Now they increasingly help out the newly introduced 'Pace-cars'. The horror.
- The Pace-car (pictured far left) was introduced in 2016 and degrades the Mille Miglia to a convoy of sorrow. Luckily drivers can just ignore that piece of modern metal, which was done en masse by participants.
- Upside is obviously safety. Far less collisions have taken place since participants are well-rested and speed is drastically reduced.
- The SLR Club, Bugatti owners, Ferrari tribute... Days that the Mille Miglia was a classic-car-only rally are foregone days. It's the tradeoff to the increased commercial approach of the organization.
- But what will never change is the best crowd in the world!
- ...And the wonderful Italian countryside, historic city centers and monuments remain jaw-dropping!
- ...And you still can meet your heroes. What is better then to meet Sir Stirling Moss in the very car he set the Mille Miglia record in in 1955?!

Why the worlds greatest rally is getting increasingly worse!

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Comments (5)

  • Thanks a lot for this insider view. Some friends who have done Mille Miglia in prewarcars totally share your views, adding the long hours of jams, food that is not available if you arrive late and even some hotel rooms that are missing. Yet, still dreaming of doing them some day, already applied but without success yet !

      5 years ago
  • Nice...

      5 years ago
  • @ Paul - It is silly, in the best way thinkable!

      5 years ago
  • It is a very very silly event, but I still can't help myself, I want to have a go!

      5 years ago
  • Looks like absolute insanity. In the best way possible...

      5 years ago
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