Page 104 - Cool Britannia

longest legs of the race. Roma to Parma, broken into fve gruelling stages, Roma to Radicofani, then onto Poggibonsi, Firenze and Anzola Dell’Emilia, each one with a time check point and one with lunch, which is something they didn’t have when the original race was run, before fnishing the stage in Parma. As today’s race is now a timed rally, each car has a time in which to complete the stages, penalties are applied if you arrive too early, much like a staged rally. My plan now was to meet the race in Parma, so after a mornings rest and a great alfresco lunch near Rome’s famous catacombs, I leave the 28 degrees of sunshine for my air-conditioned cab as I thread the Rebel through the narrow cobbled streets of Ancient Rome and follow my satnav north to Parma. I decided not to follow the actual race route as this was not the best way to do this for the frst time.Once out of Rome I cranked up the Hemi and as they say in the land of the Dodge Ram “hauled ass” the Rebel made short work of the Autostrada Del Sole, cruising in three fgures through some truly spectacular scenery. Navigating up the twisting mountain route of the autostrada it was more like piloting a boat through some of these bends. The high ride height and massive tyre walls gave the Rebel a two stage roll, frst the tyres, then the body, but despite this she was remarkably sure footed for a hulk of a car. The response from the 5.7ltr Hemi allowed great throttle to steering balance. The air suspension drops at speed to aero mode adding to the stability, even the faster cars in the left hand lane would quickly move aside at the sight of the huge matt black RAM lettering blazed across this bright red truck. As I took the exit for Parma I flled her up, so wouldn’t have to stop again until well into the last leg of the journey. I followed my navigation to the Piazza Duomo as I know the rally passed through the square. As I approached, the local police had road blocks in place, but my press credentials got me through and they allowed me to park next to the support vehicles. Once on foot, I checked out the surroundings. It was at this point I realised I had beaten all the cars from Rome to Parma by about 45 minutes.The city of Parma had done a fantastic job, the streets had barriers either side and were lined with people. As the cars entered the offcial time control area, they were held and checked in, then they proceeded in a large loop through the streets lined by the huge crowds gathered on the banks, around the Duomo past the main square and fnishing in a spectacular typical Italian piazza to line up for the gathered fans. In the centre of town, the local radio station held a road show, there was a display of luscious Lamborghini’s, including my personal favourite, a yellow Miura SV. Every street-side cafe or bar was rammed and the atmosphere was fantastic. This is what Mille Miglia is all about... It was also the frst time I’d really had chance to see the cars and meet some of the drivers. The Ferrari tribute run was as big as the actual rally - with all models represented, I saw a couple of F40’s and an F50, there was a beautiful Dino in the original colour of metallic blue with tan interior, a few ‘80’s Testarossa’s and even an early 308. There were 458’s, F12’s, one of which was F12 was in a fabulous chrome blue, which looked a lot prettier than it sounds, there were various Speciales and even an F12 TDF (although in Red which didn’t quite have the same impact as the yellow), the crowd loved them all and the drivers obliged by revving their engines as a form of Italian salute. As they fled in to the piazza and parked up, the old boys started to arrive. Mostly in open topped cars with their pilots wearing goggles and huge smiles. After driving a few classics over long distances, I tend to think the smile was relief at arriving with no mechanical issues. Everyone’s in great spirits, the drivers stopped for photos and paraded through Parma. The town was all out to welcome The Mille Miglia, which for me, is what gave it the edge over Rome. It felt like Parma really embraced the spirit of Mille Miglia whereas in Rome, it felt like the race was just passing through. 104