In 1977, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Mille Miglia Cup, the Brescia Automobile Club decided to organize the Mille Miglia Rally on local roads, as a regularity event with competitive speed trials – a format already adopted for the last three Mille Miglia races organized from 1958 – 1960, which were classified by the FIA as qualifying events for the European Rally Championship.
On the fiftieth anniversary, the Club also organized a revival of the race from Brescia to Rome and back. It was reserved for historic cars and final standings were based on the results obtained in the precision driving tests organized along the route.
Although the number of cars admitted today is almost four times the number that participated in the first revival in 1977, fewer than half of the applications received each year can be accepted. This has been a problem since 1955, when 521 teams were at the start in Viale Venezia, forcing the organizers to make a drastic and unpopular reduction in their number – mainly for reasons of safety, related to the drivers’ experience and the ability of the registered cars to withstand the rigors of the race.
Today, limiting the number of participants allows the organizers not only to select cars that are the most significant in the context of race history, but also to offer spectators a cavalcade that is almost unique, portraying thirty years of the evolution of motor racing, from 1927 to 1957.
Following are pictures taken on the Rome to Brescia leg of the 2009 Mille Miglia Storica.
2009 Mille Miglia Storica – Rome to Brescia Picture Gallery
[Source: Mille Miglia]
Bravissima! Breathtaking scenery and even more extraordinary autos being driven through… it truly brought my heart to my throat. Bravo to all!
While it is pleasant to see the cars parading in the rally, is it fair to assume that it is in fact a pageant for the very wealthy car-owners?
While the cars chosen this story are most likely owned by wealthy car owners, rest assured that there are many, many more attainable cars in the rally. We will highlight them in future stories.
For most the Mille Miglia is anything but a pageant, as it is a grueling 1000 mile rally where simply finishing is an achievement. We saw the entrants on the last leg and nearly all looked like they had just finished 12 rounds with Mohammed Ali. They were smiling though…
Thanks for your comments.
Funny, the Maserati depicted on the photograph in front of the red Porsche is the car of Antonio Alberoni of Budrio. Antonio is at the wheel and seated next to him is Ermanno Cozza wearing the black baseball cap.
Most funny is the fact that Anronio and Ermanno did not participate in the 2009 Mille Miglia (of this I am 100 % sure as Antonio had asked both my brother and me to drive up with some of his other friends to Brescia to witness the start of the 2009 Mille Miglia ! )
So my question is : Are these pictures really the ones of the 2009 Mille Miglia (or those of 2008 edition when Antonio and Ermanno participated with Antonio’s 200s with body by Carrozzeria Campana in Modena ! ) ?
Other than this mystery I would say : Keep up the good work with this site !
I enlarged the picture and have my doubts that this is the 200s of Alberoni (the driver and the copilot have a different appearance/profile).
So that takes care of the 2009 edition pics. Sorry for my nitpicking (so i believe).
Lorenzo –
The official Mille registration lists entry #279 as the 1955 Maserati 150S of Renato Boni and Alberto Ferdenzi, so I think we’ve solved the mistaken identity.
And the one thing we do know is that these pictures were taken in 2009. In fact, we took at least 10-12 pictures of that very same Maserati 150S.
Thanks for your comments as always!
SCD
I had the pleasure of watching all the cars roll through Modena and my impression was certainly not of a pageant for the wealthy. Rather it was an opportunity for an astonishing variety of cars from the highest echelons to the most prosaic to participate in an amazing celebration of automotive art to be enjoyed by everyone. The enthusiasm of the fans from all walks of life to the oil spashed and sunburned faces of the participants was a pleasure to see. Geat coverage by you site by the way
Hi, Im from Australia,we were on a driving holiday of Europe,and stopped off to see the Ferrari Factory and Galleria,I was in Modena the evening the cars came through.It was a terrific sight to see such rear cars indeed,and it fantastic that they can be bought out and be used for what they were built for.Your very lucky as we dont get to see such cars and drivers in Australia,a sight I will treasure for ever.Thankyou Kevin
Just wondering the dates of the 2010 Mille Miglia or where to find details. Thanks!
Mary –
Thanks for the note. We have several stories on the 2010 running of the Mille Miglia. Here is the link: https://dev.sportscardigest.com/tag/mille-miglia/
The dates are May 6-9th.
Best,
SCD
Dear SCD, Thank you VERY , VERY much for your continued coverage of the Mille Miglia ….
I can not explain how much I look forward to the pictures and wonderful editorial that allow
A person such as myself (lazy & capitally challenged) to live vicariously thru your coverage. My dream to be there on the line, ready to navigate the 1000 miles and race to history.
I’m not giving up hope in one day participating … you’re yearly coverage helps keep that hope alive. Thank yall … well done.