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You are here: Home1 / Luxury, Experiences, Science & Nature2 / Cars3 / The 2014 Mille Miglia Day-By-Day

The 2014 Mille Miglia Day-By-Day

by Ian Skellern

Route of the 2014 Mille Miglia around northern Italy

Route of the 2014 Mille Miglia around northern Italy

The 2014 Mille Miglia runs for four days from 15 through 18 May 2014.

  • Day 1 (Thursday): Brescia to Padua – 251 kilometers / 156 miles
  • Day 2 (Friday): Abano Montegrotto to Rome – 757 kilometers / 470 miles
  • Day 3 (Saturday): Rome to Bologna – 505 kilometers / 314 miles
  • Day 4 (Sunday): Bologna to Brescia – 256 kilometers / 159 miles

For the background of this historic road race, please read Quill & Pad At The Mythic Mille Miglia.

All of the cars pass through the Piazza della Vittoria in Brescia. The Mille Migla starts from near hereAll of the cars pass through the Piazza della Vittoria in Brescia as the Mille Migla starts from near here
All of the cars pass through the Piazza della Vittoria in Brescia. The Mille Migla starts from near here
All of the cars pass through the Piazza della Vittoria in Brescia. The Mille Migla starts from near here
Roland Iten's entry in the 2014 Mille Miglia, a 1953 Porsche 356
Roland Iten's entry in the 2014 Mille Miglia, a 1953 Porsche 356
L-R: Christine Scheufele (behind), Jacky Ickx and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele
L-R: Christine Scheufele (behind), Jacky Ickx and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele
A happy Roland Iten signing the Chopard Mille Miglia poster
A happy Roland Iten signing the Chopard Mille Miglia poster
Jeremy Irons concentrating on the route ahead before the start of the 2014 Mille Miglia
Jeremy Irons concentrating on the route ahead before the start of the 2014 Mille Miglia
Roland Iten talking to Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele before the start of the 2014 Mille Miglia
Roland Iten talking to Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele before the start of the 2014 Mille Miglia

Thursday, May 15, 2014 was Day 1/ Stage 1 of the 2014 Mille Miglia.

The cars had already had their technical inspections and qualifying paperwork checked in a large exhibition hall on the outskirts of Brescia the day before the official start. You can see photos of this at Quill & Pad At The Mythic Mille Miglia.

On the morning of day 1, all of the cars drove into the Piazza della Vittoria, in the center of Brescia in Northern Italy.

As you might imagine when you have 451 high-performance, historic sports cars, this took a few hours.

And the roar of the exhausts could be heard for miles.

Drivers first collected their Chopard Mille Miglia Chronographs, each engraved on the back with the number of the corresponding car.

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and co-driver Mark Dixon crossing the start line of the 2014 Mille Miglia in a 1953 Jaguar C-Type

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and co-driver Mark Dixon crossing the start line of the 2014 Mille Miglia in a 1953 Jaguar C-Type

At 6:00 pm, the cars started crossing the start line in Brescia. From her vantage point at the Chopard VIP area at the start, my colleague Elizabeth Doerr reported that the Mille Miglia crowd looked to be as excited as the participants when the race got underway.

Roland Iten and Joop de Hoogh driving a 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Coupé 1500 over the start line of the 2014 Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy

Roland Iten and Joop de Hoogh driving a 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Coupé 1500 over the start line of the 2014 Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy

18:00 Day 1 (Thursday): Brescia to Padua – 251 kilometers / 156 miles

Stunning lines of the 1953 Jaguar C-Type driven by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Mark DixonStunning lines of the 1953 Jaguar C-Type driven by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Mark Dixon
Stunning lines of the 1953 Jaguar C-Type driven by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Mark Dixon
Stunning lines of the 1953 Jaguar C-Type driven by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Mark Dixon
This is the route of the Mille Miglia just after the start in Brescia. High powered sport cars roar through here just minutes before and after this photo was taken.
This is the route of the Mille Miglia just after the start in Brescia. High powered sport cars roar through here just minutes before and after this photo was taken.
The Roland Iten Porsche 356 one hour into the 2014 Mille Miglia
The Roland Iten Porsche 356 one hour into the 2014 Mille Miglia
The latest invisible force field safety barriers along the route of the Mille Miglia in Brescia
The latest invisible force field safety barriers along the route of the Mille Miglia in Brescia
Thierry Lombard and Mathias Beche driving a sensually sculptured 1953 Aston Marin DB3
Thierry Lombard and Mathias Beche driving a sensually sculptured 1953 Aston Marin DB3

A few hours later

I’m now writing this at 11:30 pm from the back seat of the team Roland Iten support Range Rover as we follow the route of the first stage of the 2014  Mille Miglia.

I say “following,” but despite our three-ton handicap we are actually keeping up with the middle of the pack and are basically participating in the race.

And in a big heavy Range Rover, I can’t help thinking that’s not such a good idea. The power of the Range Rover makes it respectable in a straight line, but turning corners at high speeds is like turning a supertanker.

Then there’s the fact that more than a few of the many thousands of supporters lining the route and cheering enthusiastically appear to be driven by substantial amounts of a high-octane fuel of their own.

While there are regular checkpoints, marshals and police, it seems like anything goes; anyone can join in the race  – while it’s called a time trial, the Mille Miglia is for all intents and purposes a Gumball Rally-type road race.

As night progressed (and it progressed quite a lot before we were through), normal traffic diminished, which was fortunate really because all of the competition cars were flying through the near-deserted streets of the villages, towns and cities along the route as though the roads were closed to general traffic. And the roads are not closed to normal traffic.

Mille Miglia fuel stop - it's not like this in F1

Mille Miglia fuel stop: it’s not quite like this in Formula 1!

In fact, virtually none of the roads are closed for the Mille Miglia at all. And while the race director and the race rules clearly state that everyone participating in the Mille Miglia must respect normal road rules, I have the distinct impression that’s for the (international) audience only. It’s obvious to everyone on the ground here that from start to finish it’s pedal to the metal, all traffic lights are green no matter what their actual color, and road signs such as “Stop,” “Yield,” etc.  are for decorative purposes only.

And the police seem okay with that.

The Roland Iten Porsche 356 one hour into the 2014 Mille Miglia

The Roland Iten Porsche 356 one hour into the 2014 Mille Miglia

One other thing being in close proximity to high- (and low-) powered, 70-year old sports cars teaches you is just how clean modern car engines and exhausts are. The Mille Miglia air is continually thick with petrol fumes.

And naturally, this is Italy after all, smoking is de rigueur.

It does add to the historic ambiance, though.

The end of stage 1 of the 2014 Mille Miglia in Padova, Italy

The end of stage 1 of the 2014 Mille Miglia in Padua, Italy

We arrived in Padua around 2:30 am; however, we then spent another couple of hours looking for spare parts and checking a few of the team Roland Iten cars that required attention.

Finally, we hit the sheets around 4:30 am and set the alarm for 7:00 am . . . and day 2.

Day 2 (Friday): Padua/Abano Montegrotto to Rome – 757 kilometers / 470 miles

Time check on Day 2 of the 2014 Mille MigliaTime check on Day 2 of the 2014 Mille Miglia
Time check on Day 2 of the 2014 Mille Miglia
Time check on Day 2 of the 2014 Mille Miglia
1927 Lancia series VII crossing a time trial line in the 2014 Mille Miglia
1927 Lancia series VII crossing a time trial line in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Time check Day 2 of the 2014 Mille Miglia
Time check Day 2 of the 2014 Mille Miglia
1951 Jaguar Alta 2000 Sport in the 2014 Mille Miglia
1951 Jaguar Alta 2000 Sport in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Pitstop for new battery for a 1957 Lotus Eleven Climax Le Mans in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Pitstop for new battery for a 1957 Lotus Eleven Climax Le Mans in the 2014 Mille Miglia
1954 O.S.C.A. MT4 1100 2AD en route to Rome in the 2014 Mille Miglia
1954 O.S.C.A. MT4 1100 2AD en route to Rome in the 2014 Mille Miglia
1934 Aston Martin International in the 2014 Mille Miglia
1934 Aston Martin International in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Winding mountain roads on the 2014 Mille Miglia
Winding mountain roads on the 2014 Mille Miglia

Another very long day with light rain late afternoon making for uncomfortable conditions for all of the coupes. The arrival in Rome around 1:30 am was enthusiastic, but hard to appreciate due to lack of sleep.

Day 3 (Saturday): Rome to Bologna – 505 kilometers / 314 miles

All roads lead to (and from) Rome in the 2014 Mille MigliaAll roads lead to (and from) Rome in the 2014 Mille Miglia
All roads lead to (and from) Rome in the 2014 Mille Miglia
All roads lead to (and from) Rome in the 2014 Mille Miglia
2014 Mille Miglia: Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle stopping to top up the oil in their 1956 Jaguar D-Type
2014 Mille Miglia: Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle stopping to top up the oil in their 1956 Jaguar D-Type
Four, count them, four, Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss models in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Four, count them, four, Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss models in the 2014 Mille Miglia
When you wave a motorbike past you in the 2014 Mille Miglia, this is what happens
When you wave a motorbike past you in the 2014 Mille Miglia, this is what happens
Welcoming crowds at Siena for the 2014 Mille Miglia
Welcoming crowds at Siena for the 2014 Mille Miglia
Team Roland Iten's Wim and Achile van Gierdegom driving a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder RS in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Team Roland Iten's Wim and Achile van Gierdegom driving a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder RS in the 2014 Mille Miglia
The stately architecture in the old town of Bologna puts the frantic pace of the Mille Miglia in context

Day three was yet another long day, but the scenery and reception along the route was exceptional. The crowds in Tuscany’s Siena were particularly enthusiastic and numerous.

We spent the night in Bologna. After so many nights with so little sleep, the hotel bed looked better than the stunning architecture in Bologna.

Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle arriving in Siena in the 2014 Mille MigliaBruno Senna and Martin Brundle arriving in Siena in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle arriving in Siena in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle arriving in Siena in the 2014 Mille Miglia
The Roland Iten Porsche 356 at a time check in Siena during the 2014 Mille Miglia
The Roland Iten Porsche 356 at a time check in Siena during the 2014 Mille Miglia
Jay Leno driving through Siena in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Jay Leno driving through Siena in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Marc and Charlotte Newson driving a 1952 Ferrari 225 S Spyder tuboscocca in the 2014 Mille Miglia
Marc and Charlotte Newson driving a 1952 Ferrari 225 S Spyder tuboscocca in the 2014 Mille Miglia
2014 Mille Miglia: Wolfgang and Ferdinand Porsche in Siena
2014 Mille Miglia: Wolfgang and Ferdinand Porsche in Siena
Trinetta bas van Oisen and Ant bas van Broek driving a 1955 Triumph TR 2 Sports into Siena during the 2014 Mille Miglia
Trinetta bas van Oisen and Ant bas van Broek driving a 1955 Triumph TR 2 Sports into Siena during the 2014 Mille Miglia
Welcoming crowds at Siena for the 2014 Mille Miglia
Welcoming crowds at Siena for the 2014 Mille Miglia

Last day tomorrow (thank heavens!).

If you missed it, please check out Quill & Pad At The Mythic Mille Miglia and Snapshots from the 2014 Mille Miglia for some background to the event and stay tuned tomorrow for our Mille Miglia day 4 update.

6 replies

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. The Carrera Panamericana Begat The TAG Heuer Carrera | Quill & Pad says:
    June 5, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    […] Thanks to Roland Iten, I had the pleasure of following the 2014 Mille Miglia in a high-speed support car. To be more accurate, we weren’t actually following the race, we were following the five cars we were supporting as closely as possible so as to be on hand quicker if something went wrong. Which meant we were usually racing right among the competitors. Please see Quill & Pad At The Mythic Mille Miglia and The 2014 Mille Miglia Day-By-Day. […]

    Reply
  2. Quill & Pad | Quill & Pad: Our First Year says:
    January 1, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    […] have taken part in automobile races and […]

    Reply
  3. Quill & Pad | Reflecting On The 2014 Mille Miglia says:
    May 22, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    […] more of our coverage from the 2014 Mille Miglia, please check out:  Quill & Pad At The Mythic Mille Miglia,  The 2014 Mille Miglia Day-By-Day, and Snapshots From The 2014 Mille […]

    Reply
  4. Quill & Pad | Quill & Pad At The Mythic Mille Miglia says:
    May 20, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    […] Throughout the course of the race, we updated Quill & Pad with (near) live Mille Miglia coverage. For more, please read Snapshots from the 2014 Mille Miglia and The 2014 Mille Miglia Day-by-Day. […]

    Reply
  5. Chopard And The 2014 Mille Miglia | ClassicVintageCars.co.uk says:
    May 20, 2014 at 1:47 am

    […] Naturally, as my colleague Ian Skellern of Quill Pad relates, this is not at all as easy as it sounds. You can see his original photography and read his first-hand experiences following this year’s Mille Miglia in a support car here. […]

    Reply
  6. Quill & Pad | Snapshots From The 2014 Mille Miglia says:
    May 19, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    […] Throughout the course of the race, we updated Quill & Pad with (near) live Mille Miglia coverage. For more, please read Quill & Pad at the Mythic Mille Miglia and The 2014 Mille Miglia Day-by-Day. […]

    Reply

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