5 Facts About Millemiglia – The Most Beautiful Race In The World
Beatrice Lessi
1.It’s Gorgeous
Millemiglia is a race throughout an incredible line of stunning locations in Italy (from the city of Brescia, in the North, to Rome and back for a thousands miles, in Italian mille miglia) that recreates the original competition that became so famous worldwide. This year it reached its 90th edition.
The beauty of the scenery and of the classic cars, combined with the glamour around the event makes it the best symbol of Italian beauty.
2.It’s Expensive
Just to give you an idea of the people and ambiance you’ll find at the race, I’ll mention its price. If you have no car and just join with someone else’s, you’ll need to pay 7’500 Euro as an entrance fee: the absolutely cheapest way to participate. Many car lovers actually do that out of passion – for many it is a dream of a lifetime.
If, instead, you are lucky enough to own a car that qualifies, you are probably investing a small fortune.
3. You get Dirty
Maybe the fact that I speak Italian, English and German (the most popular languages at the race) helped me a lot to overhear conversations and talk to the participants during breaks, but for sure many people mentioned that they felt very dirty. Most cars are very uncomfortable and many are open, leaving drivers in the wind, rain (this year in Rome there was a strong storm), insects, pollution and dust. But no complaining: the experience is fully worth.
4.Some People Take It Very Seriously
Winning the modern Mille Miglia rally is quite simple, really: all you have to do is finish each stage at an indicated time. Of course, this might sound easier than it is: hitting a finish line at an exact time while travelling 1000 miles in Italy in an old car is challenging. But some people take it so seriously, that they bring a plethora of navigation instruments and use technology in a way that doesn’t really reflect the spirit of the race.
5. Some Have Fun
Some other drivers don’t even try to race and simply drive to enjoy. This often means that they drive fast. The noise, the people’s reaction, the visual pleasure of passionate people in their element is unbeatable. Italy must be the only place in the world where entire villages go out in the streets to cheer, with a genuine feeling of enjoyment and a total lack of envy for the privileged drivers and car owners.
Below, a collection of images about my experience at Millemiglia 2017.
(Clothes: Longchamp. Bags: Maison Mollerus. Watch: IWC. Photos: Beatrice Lessi and Manuel Pettinato)
