1000 miles, the myth does not set

Slow trend. But not very slow. It is the 1000 milesthe most prestigious historical re -enactment in the world. A Epic journey between passion, motors and breathtaking Italian landscapes which follows the rhythm of musical times. Adagio, moderate, Andante, cheerful, according to the inclinations of the curves and heart.

We also traveled it, following this fascinating traveling museum, guiding, among the 430 historical ladies, The future, or the number 266, a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63, ​​V8 biturity that touches the 4000 of displacement, an expression of a brand that has the heritage in its DNA.

We have chased, miles after miles, the clapping of the engines, sometimes puffing sometimes more proud of those of today’s supercars, and also counted the beats of the thousands of people of all ages, also an octogenarians who with one hand held the walking and with the other they waved the flags of the 1000 miles, who warmed up with passion and historical alleys, From the departure of Brescia under the looming gaze of the helicopter of the Navy Olla extreme tip of Sirmione led on Lake Garda to the ancient stones of San Quirico d’Orcia and then up and down to Italy. Impossible not to get excited by hearing the sound of applause covering the rhombus of the machines, seeing families equipping curtains to become spectators in the front row of what is always and will forever be “the most beautiful race in the world”, as Enzo Ferrari called it.

Edited with Google ai

We all feel like “when Nuvolari passes” along the 1900 km of roads that insinuate themselves between cypresses and vineyards and one cannot fail to rewind the ribbon of memories and return to seventy years ago. At 1955, a memorable year per 1000 miles. Stirling Moss behind the wheel of a Mercedes 300 SLR that brought the number 722 entered the legend: with his co -pilot Denis Jenkinson marked a speed record that remains in the history of the competition, completing the race in 10 hours 7 minutes and 48 seconds, lying an average of almost 160 km/h, which would still be incredible today. And beating a teammate like Manuel Fangio.

Now they are not all champions but people united by the same passion, who come from all over Europe with their cars removed from the garages and caressed as works of art, Ferrari, Lincoln, Moretti, Bugatti, Bentley, Aston Martin and many other brands, with crews dressed as if they had come out of a vintage photos of two centuries ago.

A path where you can breathe an air that is impregnated with Acre: “The rhombus of the starts at the start and the smell of kerosene for me are synonymous only of 1000 miles”, says lo Chef Joe Bastianich Waiting for one of the time checks driving a Porsche 356 1500 Speedster of 1954. “Traveling 1000 miles making the navigator on a 1927 Bugatti T40 is pure emotion, it seems to go back in time”, confirms his colleague Carlo Craccoamong the celebrities of the competition.

Time checks, regular rehearsals, rising, on their course and out of course, always following the red arrow, symbol of the 1000 miles, with the cars that lay down in front of chills: the Arena di Verona, Ferrara with the sunset that adds beauty to the Estense Castle and Siena with the cars that fill Piazza del Campo creating a difficult effect difficult to forget. «Vintage cars represent an investment that goes far beyond simple economic value. It means preserving important cultural and social testimonies over time and memory, expressing values ​​such as design, mechanical excellence and artisan expertise of crafts “, reflects Marc Langenbrinck, President and CEO Mercedes-Benz Italia who competed on the first day with a Mercedes 300 sl nicknamed gullwing for the goalkeeper in the Ali di Gabbiano. “It is bringing them to this event adds charm to their charm and beauty to Italian beauty”.

Edited with Google ai

But it’s time to get back along the way: an endless car theory punctuates the Val d’Orcia in a ups and downs of vineyards and cypresses, insinuates itself on the dirt road around Lake Bolsena, then arrives in Ronciglione and, miles after miles, slowly makes its triumphant entrance to Rome on via Veneto and Villa Borghese: a real parade under an unexpected flood with vintage cars and also accumulated Foti and Abadi ministers, by ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. The legend continues by aiming the cars again towards Brescia, where the epic every year starts again and ends. Demonstrating how real myths never set.

All the photos are by Roberta Pasero