426 Classic Racecars Begin 1,000-Mile Italian Epic

To bill your motorsports event as the "Most beautiful race in the world," might sound a wee bit pretentious but regarding the annual 1000 Miglia (Mille Miglia), they're not wrong. Covering over a 1000-mile stretch of serene Italian countryside is a total of 426 super-rare classic race cars from manufacturers spanning several decades. While viewing a 1000 Miglia stream or galleries, even seasoned enthusiasts have trouble identifying all of the classic race cars but certainly would notice the late model Ferrari 296 GTB in the new Ferrari Tribute class.

While the 1000 Miglia has been around since 1927, war tends to disrupt events much like the recent changes to the Mongol Rally this year. However, for 2022 with conflict not affecting Italy and the pandemic in the rearview, the world's most desirable and collectible race cars are running full-throttle across the undulating landscapes of Italy.

Starting in the Brescia region where the residents are said to have "fuel running through their veins" the locals come out en masse to watch cars fly off the start one by one. And while Brescia is host to spectacular race car displays, there is also a huge push to appeal to the elite clientele by showcasing: travel, fashion, and high-end products to form "A Way of Living" as 1000 Miglia promotes. The current organizers, Automobile Club of Brescia have been making a fantastic production over the last 10 years of their involvement.

A host of marques from the Italian manufacturers is at the core of the 1000 Miglia race, which surprisingly has drivers going very hard in the twisties. Race Cars from pre-1958 include the Italian legends such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Abarth, and Fiat most of which are painted in shades of Rosso red.

But the event also includes a number of European manufacturers such as Triumph, AC, and Jag from England, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz from the Germans, and a few French marques like Renault, Alpine, Citroen, and even on the border from Molsheim-based Bugatti. Even the odd American car snuck in like a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette with a racing pedigree.

The line of cars snakes through the picturesque Italian landscapes passing by Lake Garda, Monza and the Adriatic Sea. A stop in Rome will welcome the army of racers to adoring motorsports fans, which is basically every Italian proud of their motoring heritage.

On tour again this year are later model Ferraris in what the event calls the Ferrari Tribute. While historical models are well represented, this allows some of Ferrari's greatest race car hits after 1958 such as the 250 GTO, 330 P4, and any number of late model race cars.