On May 14, a postage stamp commemorating the World’s Greatest Road Race will be issued.  Its presentation took place on April 17, in Brescia, in the presence of the Minister for Economic Development, Claudio Scajola.
As the Minister explained, “Stamps are witnesses in time, instruments of personal and collective memory.  For this reason, it is fitting for them to be dedicated to the great collective identity and to phenomena regarding culture, economy, customs, and great sports events, such as the Mille Miglia.”  

The 60 European cent postage stamp shows an Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Gran Sport, raced by Augusto Caniato and Guglielmo Carraroli of the “Scuderia Ferrari” (the Ferrari Car Stables).  The photograph was taken at the mouth of the Futa Pass in the 1931 race, where the car eventually ended up withdrawing.  Luigi Orsini, who used the photo as an illustration (on page 57) in his book Mille Miglia una corsa italiana, (The Mille Miglia, an Italian Race), feels the photo was taken for the Fumagalli Photo Agency, which has since disappeared. 

The stamp will be distributed to 14,000 post offices.  Fans of the Mille Miglia, and lovers of stamp collecting, can buy a first day cover with a special postcard, a stamp collecting card and the stamp in silver leaf. 

Another original idea will follow the three legs of the race.  Brescia, Ferrara and Rome will each host a dedicated Italian Post Office stand so stamp lovers can cancel the stamps with the name of the city showing the date when the races arrives there.  

The line of apparel, “Special Edition Mille Miglia” will dress the drivers of the race for the next four years. High-tech helmets, racing suits, shoes, gloves and under-suits, made to last, protect, and distinguish.  The clothing and accessories are signed OMP Racing, and are styled with a retro design which brings to mind the suits of the first racing car drivers, though now guaranteeing maximum comfort and the most modern technological input. 

Would-be Nuvolaris, Ascaris, Varzis, Taruffis and Biondettis can order, as of right now, made-to-order apparel for their own racing attire.  Clothing and accessories can be personalized for their own wheeled activities and with the world’s greatest road race. 

Among the players in the most fascinating road race of our times, Luciano Viaro is the name that gets mentioned the most.  Last year’s revival saw him repeat his success of the year before in an Alfa Romeo 1500 Super Sport dating to 1928.  His triumph in 2008, with his son as co-driver, brought his victories up to three in the Mille Miglia, the first being in 2005. 
     This driver from Trieste would like to underline that his love for cars has accompanied him since his infancy.  

So, this is a passion that you were born with…
Yes, a strong passion for “original” cars.  To drive a classic car is to take a trip into the past, a voyage in time.  Suffice it to say, that at first they always raced two to a car, because the passenger in the car was the mechanic, always ready to fix some unexpected breakdown. 

How do you prepare for the Mille Miglia?
I have always said that in order to race at your maximum potential, the car must be “absorbed into the driver’s mind”, and it needs to be an extension of his legs.  Before the Mille Miglia, I took part in a lot of other races.  I bring the engine up to peak performance, and check out the car.  I warm up “feeling her”, as if she were a mechanical extension of myself. 

Do you carry out any special rites before racing?
No.  I don’t feel the need.  I think that is a sign of weakness…I have nothing that needs to be exorcized.

Who do you fear the most in the race?
I don’t worry about the competition, I worry about the reliability of the car.  My car runs well, but within the limits of its age.  This is the risk you run in the Mille Miglia…  The car is exactly the way it was built.  At the time, it was considered a jewel of technology, the culmination of high-tech… But with a car that is eighty years old, anything can happen.  All the same, it’s a risk I enjoy taking. 

Can you give us a prediction for the Mille Miglia 2009…
I don’t know my competitors, but I do know that my car can do very well.  The only definite thing I can predict is that I will start the race intending to win.  As I always do.