Saturday 28th September - Brescia to Ravenna Breakfast
in Brecia and the start of the 190 mile Prima Tappa of the 1955 Mille
Miglia. Stepping into the shoes of Stirling Moss felt good as the cars
roared into life and headed out of town towards Verona, passing the
southern end of Lake Garda. Now I'm sure Stirling Moss and Denis
Jenkinson in their works Mercedes 300 SLR had to keep up a good speed
to cover the round trip of 1000 miles in 10 hours! The Trans Italia
crews have a bit more time for the journey. 
Just as well as heavy traffic out of a now built up Brescia, and
multiple road works kept the average down to no more than 30mph for the
first 3 hours.
Overcast
to start but the temperature soon rose to 30 degrees, which encouraged
Donald and Margaret Campbell in their 1989 Ferrari 328 to remove the
targa top. Now this does not happen to often so the picture may be a
rare opportunity to see this event. Behind them Roddie Main makes up a
baugette for a quick snack in the back of Dave Spence Sierra Crossing
the Fiume Adige at Verona the route continued east to Vicenza, and on
to near the east coast at Padua. The temptation to turn left and
drive to Venice had to be overcome, and the turn south toward the
Renaissance city of Ferrara was the Mille Miglia route. Final sprint of the day was cross country, missing Bologna to reach Ravenna for the overnight stop. Tomorrow
hugs the east coast of Italy for the 185 mile Seconda Tappa to Pescara.
There might even be a slight detour into another state ! More tomorrow.
Sunday 29th September - Ravenna to Pescara Today's
run of some 185 miles hugs the east coast of Italy looking out to the
Adriatic Sea. The seconda tappa routes down to Rimini, founded by the
Romans in 268 BC, and a favourite tourist destination. Some crews took
time out to head up to the  Republic
of San Marino, which claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state
and constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the
monastic community founded in 301 (pretty old then!). See map of this
mountain top city. Time for a quick look round then back on the route
to Ancona and the final overnight in Pescara. Weather
started wet and deteriorated on route, forcing a picnic in the
rain. Thunderstorms forecast for overnight. I'm sure Moss and Jenkinson
didn't have this sort of weather in their open top Mercedes 300SL.
Lots of fun though. The
Ferrari crew decided to use one of the automatic parking facilities in
Pescara. Reverse the car into a lift, lock it and press the button. The
car disappeared backwards into the depths somewhere. Will it appear
tomorrow morning. Don't lose the swipe card overnight! Monday 30th September - Pescara to Rome  The
morning started with early thunderstorms of Pescara, but that soon
cleared and the Ferrari managed to once again take the roof off.
Retrieving the car from the automatic car parking system was trouble
free. As Margaret Campbell reported "Pressed the button and the car
appeared like a can of coke from a vending machine".
Heavy
traffic out of town kept the speed down on the Terza tappa over to
Rome. The temperature rose to over 24 degrees, so plenty
sunscreen applied as the cars headed south west for Popoli, a castle
fortress town since 1016 and heavily bombed during WW2. The
skies darkened as the road turned towards Rome. With thunder
threatening the Ferrari roof was quickly refitted. Just as well as forked lightning crackled above the crews heads.  On
the last leg into Rome the weather cleared and once again temperatures
rose for the rather slow approach due to a traffic congested Rome.
Time to celebrate and pop the cork on a good bottle of Italian wine. Made
it to the half way point round the Mille Miglia route, and a rest day
tomorrow for a bit of sight seeing in the eternal city. Tuesday 1st October - Rest day in Rome  Time
for a bit of R & R in the eternal city before starting the trip
north to Brescia. The crews worked out that driving in Rome is perhaps
not a good idea. Best left to the locals who to us folks look suicidal
as they nip around some of the narrow streets. Zebra crossings are
interesting. My observation is that if you are walking over a crossing
then traffic will stop, but if you dither part way then you
are fair game and traffic will buzz in front and behind you. Best to
follow a local and keep close to them.
The
crews took in the popular sights, as you can see from Roddie Main and
Margaret Campbell at the Colloseum. A few took to the open top bus in
the warm sunshine to get their bearings. Spot the Automobile Club
D'Italia where you can find everything you need to know about driving
in Italy.  No
visit would be complete without a real Italian pizza so time was taken
to enjoy a meal in the shade out of the sun. Richard and Andrew
Bartniczek look to be enjoying their meal, a change from driving their
Mini over the mountain roads. Dave Spence about to tuck in, whilst
Roddie Main and Donald Campbell are sampling the wine.
Tomorrow
the cars head north out of Rome to Florence, by way of Siena,
unfortunately too late for the annual Polio horse race round the city
square.
Wednesday 2nd October - Rome to Florence
Having
taken in all the sights that Rome has to offer it was time to head
north on the return leg to Brescia. The quarto tappa of the Mille
Miglia route started by joining the usual gridlock on the Rome ring
road, just like the M25 on a bad day! Once clear the cars
headed toward Vetralla, passing Lake Bracciano on the way. Driving
through the Tuscany countryside we passed through Montefiascone and
alongside Lake Bolsena.  Passing
the famous wine region of Montepulciano, one of my favourite italian
wines, some of the crews stopped off at Buonconvento where Roddie Main
met up with his sister in law who just happened to be on holiday in the
region. What planning!
After
refreshments it was north to Siena. The tour was just too late to see
the famous for the horse race through the town in July and August. So
it was press on northward to Florence and the overnight stop.  Tomorrow heads back to Brescia so completing the 1000 mile tour of the Mille Miglia.
Meantime
there might even be a little time to see some of Florence before we
depart, including the Ponto Vecchio which is lined with jewelers shops.
Maybe a bargain for the ladies to find. Must remember to leave
time for the visit to Modena and Ferrari tomorrow..
Thursday 3rd October - Florence to Brescia
The
fifth, Quinta tappa, or fase finale, final stage, of the Mille Miglia
taking the crews back to the start town of the event in Brescia,
completing the 1000 mile race route as close as possible to the 1955
event. This is one of the longest stages of the tour at round 260 miles.  The
weather was bright and sunny as the crews headed north out of Florence
towards Bologna then turned north west to Modena, famous for the
manufacture of supercars. Everyone thinks rightly of Ferrari, but
Maserati and Lamborghini also build cars in the same town. However
as the tour had a Ferrari crew it was obvious that Maranello had to be
visited. The other crews thought is a good idea too.
A
tour of the museum allowed time to catch a glimpse of some of the
famous Ferrari cars, including the P3 pictured, and engines of the
past. Donald and Margaret Campbell spotted a great engine replacement
for their 328 but had nothing more than a reusable Tesco carrier bag,
and the engine, no matter how they tried, would not fit inconspicuously
in it! A tour of the of the factory and test track allowed a
peek at the latest cars the company are working on. Unfortunately no
photos were allowed. With
ego's suitably satisfied it was time to continue on route to Brescia,
passing the town of Parma, famous for its prosciutto and cheese, and
one of the oldest universities in the world. Reaching Piacenza the
route turned to Cremona where the cars crossed the river Po. Rather
than take the direct route to Brescia the cars stuck to the 1955 route
taking a dog leg to Mantova crossing the land bridge with Lake
Superiore on the left and Lake di Mezzo on the right that split the
city. Home stretch now to a cool beer in Brescia and celebrate the completion of the Mille Miglia part of the Trans Italia tour. Final section tomorrow drives back across to France to Menton to see the Nuit du Mentonnais. Friday 4th October - Brescia to Menton
With
the Mille Miglia route complete it was time to head back to France for
the start of the Nuit du Mentonnais rally. some 250 plus miles away to
the west. The route took us back on the more direct route
to Cremona and Piacenza before heading due west  for
Asti, whose name is derived from the Celtic word for 'Hill'. So the
Scots were here even before this tour! As in Siena the city
celebrates a horse race, the Palio di Asti, but this time bareback
horse riding. From
Asti the route passed through Alba, reminding all the scots of their
homeland, and to the foot of the Italian Alps to start the climb from
Borgo San Dalmazzo. Choice then was take the hairpin road La Ca Canelle
over the border, or under the peaks through the Galleria de Colle di
Tenda. For most the tunnel won,and was a good choice as rain was
starting on the Italian side and over the top, but sunshine awaited the
arrival in France and the visit to the village of Tende, clinging on to
the side of the Alps, see photo left.  A
nice easy run south to Menton passing through regional favourites at
Sospel and Castillon. With everyone safely at the destination it was
time to brush up and celebrate with what else? A good meal and a bottle
or two of red wine.
Saturday will see the Nuit du Mentonnais before the the long hike up through France to home.
Checkout the early part of the tour, UK to Brescia - click HERE
Ceckout the final part of the tour - The Nuit du Mentonnais HERE 
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Picnic in the rain overlooking the Adriatic Sea
Vineyards on the hillsides crossing over to Rome
