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25 Aug 2002, 20:58 (Ref:365712) | #1 | ||
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What happenned to the Mille Miglia?
What happenned to the great Italian road race? I read the thrilling Nuvolari story in another thread and it got me thinking. It sounded like a magnificent event so why is it no longer around? A victim of safety?
Anyone know? |
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25 Aug 2002, 23:02 (Ref:365738) | #2 | ||
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'Fraid so - after Fon de Portago's terrible accident in 1957 (and two other fatalities in the same race) it was converted into a regularity trial for three more runnings, but it wasn't the same thing.
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26 Aug 2002, 18:21 (Ref:366111) | #3 | ||
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What actually happenned in 1957 then?
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26 Aug 2002, 18:59 (Ref:366147) | #4 | |||
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Quote:
“As if to underline Italy’s relative decline in motor racing, one of its greatest events the Mille Miglia was banned in 1957 after a fearsome accident. Lying fourth, Alfonse de Portago’s Ferrari burst a tyre at 170 mph. It left the road, cut down a telegraph pole, scythed through a group of spectators, hit a bank and careered back on to the road, killing nine people, five of them children together with de Portago and his co-driver. The barrage of protest – from the Roman Catholic Church among others – ensured that the Mille Miglia would never be run again.” |
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26 Aug 2002, 19:09 (Ref:366161) | #5 | ||
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The Mille Miglia has been revived about ten (?) years ago as a regularity race for vintage cars. It is today one of the most importance vintage road events in the world (if not the most important).
I had the chance of participating in 1996 and 1998 in a support vehicle - my former landlord races every year in a 1933 Bentley - and it was one of the most fantastic experiences I have ever lived. In some roads that freaking Bentley was far faster than our Land Rover turbo! What an astonishing machine. |
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26 Aug 2002, 19:12 (Ref:366165) | #6 | ||
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Did it always follow the same route? And does the revival do so too?
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28 Aug 2002, 08:16 (Ref:367199) | #7 | ||
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Paulzinho, there is a really good little book I have called, 'Conte Maggi's Mille Miglia' by Peter Miller. Lots of interesting information (background and history), great photos, and all the results and maps of the different courses used over the years. I bought it a good few years back but it may still be in print.
Out of interest, does anyone know of a similar book for the other great Italian road race, the Targa Floria? |
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28 Aug 2002, 09:30 (Ref:367229) | #8 | ||
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Thanks Allon, I'll keep an eye out for it!
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28 Aug 2002, 11:16 (Ref:367316) | #9 | ||
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There are two other books you might look out for.
Mike Lawrence wrote a history of the Mille Miglia in 1988. It's not bad at all, and should be readily available for about £30-£35. There is also the classic work by Count Giovanni "Johnny" Lurani. However, it's remained on my "dream on" list for ages, as I've not yet found a decent copy offered for less than £90. |
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28 Aug 2002, 13:17 (Ref:367418) | #10 | |||
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Quote:
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28 Aug 2002, 13:25 (Ref:367430) | #11 | ||
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On the Targa Florio, it ran until the early 70s didn't it, why was it cancelled, for similiar reasons?
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28 Aug 2002, 15:48 (Ref:367535) | #12 | ||
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A quick browse will whet your appetite.
Mille Miglia: http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/miglia.htm I think he's paraphrased the Conte Maggi book. He has a cover shot of the book on this page. Targa Florio: http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/floria.htm This site has some other very nice stuff, too. Some beautiful vintage posters. I'm going to ask him where they might be obtained... Last edited by paul-collins; 28 Aug 2002 at 15:55. |
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