La Festa Mille Mille Miglia 2017

Report

【Day1】13 Oct 2017

La Festa Mille Miglia 2017 kicks off, marking its 20th year

In 1997, the present form of La Festa Mille Miglia was born. This event is held annually in autumn as a sister event to the Italian Mille Miglia, and this year marks its 20th year. More than 100 cars have entered this 20th anniversary event. They start from Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, Tokyo at noon on 13th and run the entire route of approximately 1,100 km over four days.

Although it was raining this morning, the starting venue was full of excitement, and every team set off briskly for the race, with Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko watching. Despite the rain, many spectators gathered at Jingu Bashi to cheer the entrants.

After leaving Meiji Shrine, the entrants participated in a PC competition (a measurement competition to drive a designated section in a designated time in seconds) at DAIKANYAMA TSUTAYA BOOKS and the results were announced on the spot. Some of the entrants were satisfied with their time and the others disappointed. After finishing the competition, they left Tokyo to the next destination. It is said that the results of the first competition in the four days greatly affect mental state because it is shown on the spot. To win in a classic car rally competition requires both techniques and a strong spirit just like in other sports.

The entrants left Tokyo and traveled north to a stamp point in Akagi-kogen S.A., Gumma Prefecture. In Gumma prefecture, they got three stamps in total including at Michi-no-eki Agream-showa in Showa Village and Lockheart Castle in Takayama Village, then headed to the Gunma Cycle Sports Center in Minakami Town. A consecutive competition in a challenging setting was scheduled here, however, it was forced to be canceled because of a thick fog.

In La Festa Mille Miglia, competitions are of course important, but in addition to that, competitors must have their sheet stamped at all stamp points. If they miss even one of the stamps, they will lose the qualification to be ranked in the final rankings, even if they complete the four-day rally. It is more important than anything else to get their sheet stamped at designated places.

When the entrants arrived at Naspa New Otani, the finish line for day one, in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture, it got quite dark and the air was chilly. As the entrants got the final stamp for day one here, they showed a little fatigue from approximately 270-km traveling in the rain, but still they responded to the cheers of people waiting for the arrival in front of the hotel with a smile.

The Italian Mille Miglia is described as the most beautiful classic car festival in the world, but at the same time known as the toughest race. To run nearly 300 km in a day in a car manufactured more than 90 years ago is not an easy thing. Even on the first day, mechanics were maintaining the cars late into the night in the parking lot in the hotel, helping each other, for example, sharing necessary tools. They were doing everything they could, hoping as many cars as possible could finish the rally safely.

On day two, the entrants will travel approximately 330 km from Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture to Karuizawa Town in Nagano Prefecture. Weather is still a concern.

(text & photo:Mika Iwamoto)
With H.I.H. Princess Akiko watching, STANGUELLINI 750 S starts from Meiji Shrine
With H.I.H. Princess Akiko watching, STANGUELLINI 750 S starts from Meiji Shrine
Open-top cars waiting for start under umbrella
Open-top cars waiting for start under umbrella
Praying for road safety before start
Praying for road safety before start
Entrants in STANGUELLINI S1100 get stamp at Naspa New Otani
Entrants in STANGUELLINI S1100 get stamp at Naspa New Otani
Mechanic working on BUGATTI T13 BRESCIA
Mechanic working on BUGATTI T13 BRESCIA
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