Cars

1000 Miglia: Your guide to the ultimate race for classic car enthusiasts

Published on Jun 15, 2022 at 12:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Louise Cheer

Last updated on Jun 28, 2022 at 3:41 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

This article has been sponsored by 1000 Miglia.

The 1000 Miglia is the race for the ultimate classic car enthusiast – and it’s one you don’t want to miss.

It starts and finishes in the northern Italian city of Brescia, and put the city on the map as “the capital of world motoring”.

From June 15 to 18, 2022, competitors will be making pit stops along the almost 2,000-kilometer (it works out to be about 1000 Roman miles – the race’s namesake) – a round trip between Brescia and Rome.

A red car during the 1000 Mille driving past a picturesque scene.
Image: 1000 Miglia
A red classic car stopped on a roadside overlooking scenic valley.
Image: 1000 Miglia

It’s a race that’s full of rich history, and “an old motto claims that fuel runs through the veins of the people of Brescia instead of blood”.

So here’s what you need to know about the most important regularity race for classic cars in the world.

The incredible history of the 1000 Miglia

  • Giovanni Canestrini, Franco Mazzotti, Aymo Maggi and Renzo Castagneto – known as the “Four Musketeers” ­– gave life to the event that is now known as “Most beautiful race in the world”
  • The first 1000 Miglia Cup was held on March 26, 1927. Racers braved pouring rain and walls of fog on unpaved roads
  • The first winners took 21 hours, 4 minutes and 48 seconds, with an average speed of 77.238km/h (47.99mph)
  • From 1927 to 1957, the race was held in its original form, a speed one. The final race in 1967 was won by a Ferrari 315 S with a time of 10 hours, 27 minutes and 47 seconds
  • Rally editions were held from 1958 to 1961
  • In 1982, the race finally returns and is held every two years until 1986
  • From 1987 onwards the 1000 Miglia has been held every year
  • An Alfa Romeo has won the last six races
Spectators push a car during the 1000 Miglia.
Image: 1000 Miglia
Cars drive away during the 1000 Miglia.
Image: 1000 Miglia

When and where does the 1000 Miglia take place?

It starts and finishes in Brescia, but the race is spread over four days.

This year the race kicks off at 1.30pm (CEST) on June 15 and aims to be done by 4.30pm on June 18.

  • 1st Leg – June 15: Brescia to Cervia-Milano Marittima
  • 2nd Leg – June 16: Cervia-Milano Marittima to Rome
  • 3rd Leg – June 17: Rome to Parma
  • 4th Leg – June 18: Parma to Brescia

What cars should you expect to see at the 1000 Miglia?

A total of 426 cars will be taking part in this year’s race, with 11 in the military category.

Only the models of the cars, or the car itself, that took part in – or completed the entry to – one of the 1000 Miglia editions (1927 to 1957) and are registered to the Registro 1000 Miglia can take part to the 1000 Miglia.

Fans and cars line up at the 1000 Miglia.
Image: 1000 Miglia

A full list is available on the event’s website, but here are some highlights.

The first 10 cars on the entry list are “665 SUPERBA” OMs (Officine Meccaniche) and claimed many victories between 1925 and 1930.

Other notable cars are:

  • 1925 Bugatti T35
  • 1932 Alfa 8C 2300 Le Mans
  • 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Vignale
  • 1949 O.S.C.A. MT4 1100
  • 1949 Maserati A6 1500 Berlinetta Pininfarina

On the occasion of the celebration of 1000 Miglia’s 75 years, they’ll also have nine examples of O.S.C.A. (Specialized Automobile Construction Workshops); founded by the Maserati brothers after having sold the house that bears their name.

Seven of these cars have already participated in the speed editions of the race.

A man sits against his car.
Image: 1000 Miglia
Cars drive down roads during the 1000 Miglia.
Image: 1000 Miglia

How much does it cost to enter?

For competitors, the basic entry fee is 12,220 Euros (VAT included).

This includes a kit of documents and technical materials, standard passes and two welcome bags.

As for the two-person crew, the cost includes four nights in a double-room (no more than four stars) with breakfasts, four light buffet lunches each, three light dinners each, and prize-giving ceremony and closing party for the drive and co-driver, or dinner at their respective hotels.

There’s also four admissions to the paddocks, including the driver and co-driver, and the possibility to purchase additional service packages.

For more entry packages, visit the 1000 Miglia website.

Can spectators watch the race?

Yes, of course! The race goes through the centers of all the cities on the four-day route, so spectators can watch the race and keep their eyes peeled for their favorite cars.

For more information about the 1000 Miglia, visit their Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

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Louise Cheer oversees and writes stories about the latest headlines on topics such as automotive, technology, gaming, watches, movies and lifestyle. Louise has been a news editor at Yahoo and Daily Mail in Australia, with more than 10 years of experience in the media industry.