As I address the appassionati of the Mille Miglia, at the approach of the New Year, it is for me a pleasure, an honor and a duty.
For me personally, it is a true pleasure to send my best wishes to those who share with me a passion for classic cars. So, let me wish you the best for a fantastic 2010 under the sign of the Mille Miglia red arrow.
I am only too aware of the cultural and sports heritage—which races through eighty-two years of history—that I have inherited from those who came before me, starting from Franco Mazzotti, who invented the Mille Miglia and brought it to life. As president of the ACI Brescia, for me to send this message is both an honor and a privilege.
And duty, though extremely pleasant, comes from the fact that the Mille Miglia is not just a simple car race, but has entered into the collective consciousness as a symbol of a style of life and of the value in excellence of Italy, our country. For this reason the Automobile Club of Brescia cannot limit itself to being the owner of a beloved and universally recognized trademark such as that of the red arrow, but must also take up the role of conservator and custodian, one who carries on the extraordinary tradition of the “world’s greatest road race”.

The Mille Miglia Christmas Gala was a huge success. Hosted by Caterina Balivo, it took place on December 18 at the Teatro Grande in Brescia. She gave the symbolic start to the latest edition of the “world’s greatest road race”, announcing the concert with Maestro Salvatore Accardo and the Orchestra da Camera Italiana (the Italian Chamber Orchestra).

The newest features in this year’s Mille Miglia were also presented to the public.
Starting with the dates: the Mille Miglia 2010 will take place from May 6 to May 9.
The route has something new as well: this year’s red arrow will cross Bologna. “Bologna is a historic Mille Miglia city”, explained Paolo Binelli, “and we wish to involve all of the cities of the Mille Miglia, even alternating them, because this underlines the ties that bind the race to the route.”
A route to challenge the 375 selected cars in this sports and motoring event among the most exciting in the world. And this year has another completely new surprise in store to add to the suspense before the race. Over one hundred Ferraris, built between 1958 and the present will parade in front of the race one half hour before the competitors start to pass. “This event has never been seen before.” confirms Sandro Binelli, “It will be a spectacular tribute to the Mille Miglia and to the passion for cars that this race personifies.”

And furthermore, in 2010 the Mille Miglia will be celebrated not just on the days of the race, but all week long. Starting on April 30, and ending on May 9, Brescia will host one event after another. Most importantly, April 30, 2010 will see another Notte Bianca, ‘the night where the sun never sets’, Brescia’s second in honor of the historic race. “Due to the success of the first Notte Bianca”, explains Alessandro Casali, “we are happy to organize a second. We will bring many artists of all types to celebrate in the Brescian night while waiting for the start of the Mille Miglia.” And that is not all. On May 2 through May 5, the Mille Miglia Museum will also host numerous events under the title, “Waiting for the Freccia rossa ( the Red Arrow)”.

How was your passion for classic cars and for regularity races born?

My father was the Mayor of Brescia for thirty years. He worked with Renzo Castagneto during the final years of the historic Mille Miglia. As a child, I saw the last races of the “true” Mille Miglia, and so, the moment the race’s revivals were started, I decided to take part.”

Can you describe your emotions when you participate in the Mille Miglia?

Being part of the Mille Miglia is just fantastic. It’s wonderful to be able to drive these classic cars and see the beauty of our country, of Italy. The cities are all decked out for a party, waiting for the race. You can’t imagine the numbers of people—during the day and during the night—that applaud as we pass. It’s so exciting on that first evening after the start, with the crowds anxiously awaiting the Mille Miglia cars along the sides of the road. Each year, and the excitement stays the same. The excitement of the Mille Miglia.

There were many female crews at the starting lines of past Mille Miglia races. Can you tell us what attracts women to the Mille Miglia?

I personally feel that women are very good at driving and at racing automobiles. I myself have a  passion for cars. I even took the wheel in Africa with my husband on off the road 4-wheel drives, and have learned to recognize the sounds an engine makes. I think that as time goes by, there will be more and more women entering and becoming passionate about the Mille Miglia. It’s a race that consumes you, and pushes you to participate and compete to get there before the male crews.

Are you planning to take part in the Mille Miglia 2010?

People keep asking me that, but I think this year I will take a sabbatical.

The book of photographs of the Mille Miglia 2009 is now available at the website 1000Miglia.eu at the store. In it are to be found the photographs of all the cars that raced in the event, of the most exciting moments, of the spectators, of the faces of the famous—and less so—among the appassionati.
Its pages also hold Maestro Renato Missaglia’s artistic tribute to the world’s greatest road race, with his interpretation of the places that belonged to the last race. And then there are the experiences of its participants and winners, along with ranking, and so much more.
260 glossy pages, over 430 colored photographs, in 2 languages, both Italian and English.

Priced at 65€
SPECIAL OFFER: THE BOOK OF PHOTOS 2008 + THE BOOK OF PHOTOS 2009 for 95€

Also in the merchandise area on the website, you can find the 2009 Catalogue. This book shows all the technical data of the last race, the car makers who participated, the cars who were allowed to enter, selection criteria, and the Coppa Mille Miglia, its brand-new and extraordinary trophy.
The Accessories section has new items as well. There is the 1000 Miglia Pin, silver-plated cuff-links with enameled logo, and unique playing cards with “Aces at the wheel”.
Or check out the tailor-made mail bag, which is grey with black interior and border with red trim.

The Organizing Committee of the Mille Miglia wishes to express their condolences to the family of Gino Munaron, one of the racing car drivers who contributed to the greatness of Italian sport and the automobile.
Munaron took part in several Mille Miglias, starting from 1951 when he raced an Alfa Romeo 2500 Competizione with Franco Rol. That year’s adventure ended for him in Viterbo due to mechanical problems. So he tried again in 1952, and with Rol once again as his partner, they came in eleventh in an official Siata 208 CS. In 1953, with Lucio Finucci and a Peugeot 203, he came in first in his sub-class of Up to 1300cc Touring. Munaron also raced a Ferrari Testa Rossa 2000 in the last historic Mille Miglia race in 1957, taking eight place over-all and first place in the 2000 Sport class. In the sixties he went on to the Formula 1 races.
But, in 2008, at the age of eighty, he returned to the Mille Miglia. Munaron raced his last Mille Miglia once again in his Peugeot 203, evoking once more his victory in his class.