An iconic event in italian motorsport: the Mille Miglia Route

Each spring, Brescia comes alive with one of its most spectacular and celebrated events: the Mille Miglia. This iconic and beloved motorsport competition draws tourists and enthusiasts to the city, filling its streets, squares and courtyards with stunning vintage cars.

Originally launched as a speed race in 1927, the Mille Miglia traverses Italy on a route that has captivated generations of enthusiasts, drivers and automakers. Today, it has evolved into a regularity race for classic cars, preserving its charm and significance as a global automotive event. For anyone visiting Brescia, the Mille Miglia is an unmissable and eagerly anticipated occasion.

The first Mille Miglia was held on March 26, 1927. The idea came from four noble automobile enthusiasts: Aymo Maggi, Franco Mazzotti, Giovanni Canestrini and Renzo Castagneto. They envisioned a race that would celebrate speed and driving skill while promoting the Italian automotive industry.

The route spanned public roads, starting from Brescia and passing through cities like Rome, Florence, Bologna and Milan. It offered unique challenges to drivers, featuring winding roads, steep climbs and fast descents, all set against breathtaking landscapes and historic cityscapes.

Between 1927 and 1957, the Mille Miglia was a pure speed race. Drivers completed the entire route in a single stage, racing against the clock and the difficulties of the course. Some of the best drivers and automakers of the time participated, including Enzo Ferrari, who regarded the Mille Miglia as pivotal to his brand's success.

One of the most legendary moments in Mille Miglia history was the 1955 victory of Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson. Driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, Moss completed the course in a record 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds, with an average speed of 157 km/h. Their performance remains one of the greatest feats in motorsport history.

After the 1957 edition, a tragic accident claimed the lives of several spectators and a driver, leading to the suspension of the Mille Miglia as a speed race. However, in 1977, its historical and cultural importance led to its revival as a regularity race for classic cars. Open to vehicles built before 1957 that participated or could have participated in the original races, the Mille Miglia returned with a new format.

In the modern Mille Miglia, participants no longer compete for pure speed but must adhere to set times and complete precision tests along the route. Despite the format change, the event's allure has only grown, attracting collectors and enthusiasts from around the world eager to relive the glory of automotive history.

Today, the Mille Miglia is more than a competition; it is a celebration of the history and elegance of classic cars. Over 400 vintage cars participate annually, retracing the roads once raced by legendary drivers. Each car is carefully selected, with participation reserved for the most iconic and historically significant models.

The route still covers much of central and northern Italy, passing through some of the country’s most beautiful cities and landscapes. Thousands of spectators line the streets to welcome the participants with enthusiasm and admiration. Prestigious automotive brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz remain closely tied to the event, keeping its spirit alive.

Each year, the Mille Miglia follows a carefully planned schedule. The event begins with scrutineering and technical and administrative checks, ensuring that all participating vehicles meet the regulations and are race-ready. This process includes the "punzonatura" (sealing), where each car is officially marked with a decal certifying its participation.

These checks take place in central Brescia, often at the fairgrounds or Piazza Vittoria, providing the public with a unique opportunity to admire up-close vehicles that are priceless pieces of automotive history.

Following scrutineering, the official start takes place on Viale Venezia. Cars set off at regular intervals and competitors must maintain a strict schedule since the Mille Miglia is a regularity race.

The race is divided into multiple stages, starting and finishing in Brescia and passing through some of Italy’s most picturesque cities and landscapes. Stops often include historic towns like Rome, Ferrara, Parma and Siena.

Each stage includes several regularity tests, which measure not maximum speed but the ability of the driver and co-driver to adhere to set times and maintain a consistent pace. Penalties are imposed for arriving too early or too late at checkpoints.

One of the race’s highlights is the passage through Rome, typically at the midpoint of the event. After an overnight stay in the capital, competitors head north back toward Brescia. From this point onward, every second counts, as even small errors in timing can determine the final standings.