Photo: Mille Miglia
Decades after it was first held, the Mille Miglia remains one of the most important racing events for enthusiasts in the world. The first competition of its kind was born in 1927 and ran for 30 years, then died out only to be reborn in 1977. Now, it spreads overseas, and gets mutated.
Last week, from October 23 through October 26, Mille Miglia took place for the first time in the United States, albeit in a diluted and modified form. Officially called 1000 Miglia Warm Up USA, the event was held on the roads in and around Middleburg and Washington D.C., on a route that spanned only half the distance advertised, for just 500 miles.
Even so, this inaugural race – there are plans for others, it seems – ended in triumph, at least for Jaguar owners.
For the local incarnation of the competition, the organizers used the existing Mille Miglia rules. There were 22 cars spilt in 2 classes, namely 1000 Miglia Era Class and the Post-1000 Miglia Era Class - the former is dedicated to cars manufactured between 1927 and 1957, while the latter is meant for cars produced after 1958.
The top spot at the finish line was taken last week by a veteran team driving a 1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Roadster. They were accompanied on the podium by runner-up 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Boano, and in the third position by a 1956 Jaguar XK120.
The winner, accompanied by five other teams, were granted a place on the starting grid of the 1000 Miglia race in Italy next year, where they will race the full length of the course.
“The 2019 1000 Miglia Warm Up USA featured competitive teams, beautiful roads and enthusiastic fans, just like the race in Italy,” said in a statement Alberto Piantoni, CEO of 1000 Miglia.
”Introducing the 1000 Miglia to a U.S. audience is an important step towards our goal of broadening awareness outside of Italy.”
Even so, this inaugural race – there are plans for others, it seems – ended in triumph, at least for Jaguar owners.
For the local incarnation of the competition, the organizers used the existing Mille Miglia rules. There were 22 cars spilt in 2 classes, namely 1000 Miglia Era Class and the Post-1000 Miglia Era Class - the former is dedicated to cars manufactured between 1927 and 1957, while the latter is meant for cars produced after 1958.
The top spot at the finish line was taken last week by a veteran team driving a 1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Roadster. They were accompanied on the podium by runner-up 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Boano, and in the third position by a 1956 Jaguar XK120.
The winner, accompanied by five other teams, were granted a place on the starting grid of the 1000 Miglia race in Italy next year, where they will race the full length of the course.
“The 2019 1000 Miglia Warm Up USA featured competitive teams, beautiful roads and enthusiastic fans, just like the race in Italy,” said in a statement Alberto Piantoni, CEO of 1000 Miglia.
”Introducing the 1000 Miglia to a U.S. audience is an important step towards our goal of broadening awareness outside of Italy.”
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