Mille Miglia over the years in rain or shine.

For many the Mille Miglia has become an annual pilgrimage . With participants from all over the world the rally, no longer a race, is open to cars only manufactured between 1927 – 1957. Now held over four days and three nights in May it essentially travels from Brescia to Rome and back, a distance of approximately 1000 miles. The route generally travels east of Brescia at the start and then in a southerly direction towards Rome. From Rome the return route travels NNW towards Florence and then generally northerly back to Brescia.

Founded in 1927 by Count Aymo Maggi and Count Franco Mazzotti, the race was first won in a time of 21 hours 5 minutes by Guiseppe Morandi driving a 2 litre OM. Coincidentally the OM were manufactured in Brescia at that time.

The rally now starts on a Wednesday afternoon with many of the cars being displayed in the morning either at the Mille Miglia museum parking areas, or in the centre of Brescia itself.

Even in the wet the cars gleam, many have open cockpits and are without tonneau covers, umbrellas frequently double up…

Character in abundance, especially in the flying Hippo.

In his element in the wet but is this flying hippo laughing

Mercedes cars feature heavily in the Mille Miglia not just with classics but also with modern “supercars” as team support vehicles.

The race record is held by Sir Stirling Moss and navigator Denis Jenkinson driving a Mercedes 300 SLR in 10 hours 7 minutes and 48 seconds. An average speed of 97.96 mph over the then 992 miles of the course – phenomenal. Very sadly Sir Stirling recently died, he will be sorely missed.

En route

2019 route – Brescia – Cervia Milano Marittima – Roma – Bolgna – Brescia

Coming out of Brescia, general map and more specifics

The route taken uses roads that remain in use throughout the day. Only in town centres where uninterrupted traffic flow is required are the roads closed to the public. This is beneficial for both spectators and crew when 400 cars are expected to negotiate otherwise busy thoroughfares.

Very wet conditions and some of the cars with little or no protection

OM Superba – a Brescia built car which appears completely at home in the conditions

No windscreen wipers and visors which must cleared every minute or so – the joys of motoring ?

Outside of the towns the motoring public can become unwilling participants

Oh the joys of motoring but perhaps the British entrants are more accustomed to the downpours.

Some more intrepid than others or just super optimistic.

More frequently the sun shines

Drivers, navigators and spectators come from around the world

Gullwings galore but also saloons. Above a very rare Mercedes 220 S with sunroof .

It isn’t just the sun which puts a smile on peoples faces, it’s the cars.

Where else could you put your umbrella ? A pragmatic approach but how will this XK cope with inclement weather.

With 1000 miles to go no point in getting too excited about the pedestrians.

En route through Desenzano

All shapes and sizes, meticulously cared for ,cosmetically and mechanically.

Start finish line –

The Mille Miglia now completes on a Saturday morning after four days of driving. Probably better from the spectators viewpoint and definitely better from the town’s business perspective. The outgoing rostrum acts as the incoming but generally causes a mini jam when too many cars arrive back simultaneously. Irrespective of the weather the reception is always extremely warm – allows drivers to relax after days of focus.