The Finest Road Race of them All

5171 Views 53 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Dennis David, Sep 16, 2004

Dennis David

Discussion Starter · Jul 18, 2004 (Edited by Moderator)

Stirling Moss called it the finest road race of them all. This unyielding 1,000-mile challenge through the Italian Countryside, sometimes literally, ran from 1927 through 1957. Playing host to greats such as Caracciola, Nuvolari, Varzi and Moss. Who did battle driving the cars from Mercedes, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and of course Ferrari. Where a Grand Prix cars with mudguards raced on the same roads, as would be aces in their Fiat Topolinos. A uniquely Italian affair that lives in legend and reenactment.

Come and join SlotForum in association with Grand Prix History to relive those days which Piero Taruffi called "the proudest moment in my life."

The Mille Miglia

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 19, 2004

If you have ever driven on Italian roads you wouldn't be asking that question.

I had the pleasure of visiting Brescia a couple of years back and did battle on some of the very roads of the Mille Miglia. My competition you ask? … lorries, Vespas and one seater pickup trucks and trust me they have no concept of lanes over there.

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 19, 2004

Ok,

This thread is basically to announce a new series of articles I am writing on the Mille Miglia that will include reports on each race plus articles on the major cars and drivers that took part in the finest road race of them all.

Take a look here

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #22 · Jul 19, 2004

Paul,

You're partially right. Up until 1940 they raced counter clockwise. In 1947 the race came to be run in a clockwise direction. Also in 1940 they did run laps, 9 in all on a triangular circuit. The infamous 13th Mille Miglia won by the BMW of von Hanstein.

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #23 · Jul 19, 2004

Thanks for the kind words there is actually a book out there on the Mille Miglia but with a different slant. It's a guide to all of the best restaurants along the route! I've been to Brescia and ran a very small portion of the route and the thought of being passed in the rain at 170 mph, the driver fighting to keep the car on the road even on a straight patch with nary a gravel trap to be seen … well it's why we're here talking about these toys isn't it?

BTW

Moss's car was allowed special dispensation to start from the road rather than the ramp due to the car's low ground clearance. That's why he's looking up to the starter who's on the ramp above him.

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #25 · Jul 20, 2004 (Edited by Moderator)

THat's why my website should be required reading.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so check these two out, one from 1927 and the next from 1947 and look at the arrows.

I rest my case.

But please any comments, corrections or additions is greatly appreciated. That's why I posted on this site first because I knew I would get some good feedback here. If you want to contact me directly please email me.

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #27 · Jul 20, 2004

Pea,

I hope they do the Mille Miglia model rather then the one in the picture and add Norman Dewis.

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #29 · Jul 20, 2004

THe "End of the Beginning" is now up...

The Beginning - Part 1
The Beginning - Part 2

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #33 · Jul 22, 2004

For some extra fun answer my first quiz question here: Mille Miglia Quiz

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #35 · Jul 22, 2004

Nothing, heard of scroll bars?

GO TO THE TOP OF THE THREAD.

There ought to be some regulation on the overall size of your signature.

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #37 · Jul 24, 2004

Hey, hey there's a new quiz! Mille Miglia Quiz II

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #38 · Jul 27, 2004 (Edited by Moderator)

Part II is now available here

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #41 · Aug 4, 2004 (Edited by Moderator)

1928 will be up this weekend. You'll get to meet Giuseppe Campari.

...Many figured that Bugatti should be favored but somebody forgot to tell that to Alfa Romeo and their chief designer Vittorio Jano. Fresh from his successful P2 Grand Prix car, Jano created a new 1500cc sports car with which to compete at events such as the Mille Miglia. The star of the team was Guiseppe Campari, the Italian driver and would-be opera singer who at 241 lbs was literally larger than life. It's assumed that he and his co-driver Ramponi became "close" friends in the car's tight compartment! ...

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Dennis David

Discussion Starter · #46 · Aug 23, 2004 (Edited by Moderator)

Part IV, the 1929 race is now available here. The next article should involve either Alfa Romeo 1750 or O.M. depending on whether I can get my rear end up to Napa and purchase this wonderful book: