1000 Miglia folk festival
06/13/2024
This year's 1000 Miglia started on Tuesday (June 11, 2024). 400 cars, built between 1927 and 1957, set off on a 2200 km journey through half of Italy with 144 special stages, many drive-throughs and time checks. The entourage is on the road for five days.
Of course, this probably most famous regularity rally is a highlight in the lives of most of the crews taking part, but the Mille is even more, namely a celebration for the people along (and on) the route.
In hardly any other country is the enthusiasm of passers-by and spectators as great as in Italy. If you drive past the crowds in an open-top Alfa Romeo or Cisitalia, you hardly have to wonder whether people can still warm to old cars. Every car, whether small or large, faster or slower, is celebrated.
And the police help to guide the vehicles through the normal traffic quickly through junctions. Red lights can be ignored and speed limits generously interpreted. And the audience applauds and laughs.
For the spectators, what counts most are the beautiful shapes and the melodious engine noises, and they care less about how rare individual vehicles are.
In fact, there is almost nothing better than sipping an Italian espresso and watching the racing cars pass by in a street café ...
P.S. Of course, we will be reporting on this year's 1000 Miglia in more detail.
