If you would like to revive your interest in history, then come on down to London! There is something about the city that brings back the enthusiasm you once had for history. You'll see the city in its full iconic automotive glory when you visit the annual event of Regent Motor Show. This vintage car rally flags off from London all the way to Brighton. The Regent street's classic architecture and the victorian garb of the revered car owners, complimented the theme of the motor show. The event was my personal European time portal.
Before you read on, you must first understand that although I am a 90's kid by birth, I'm more of a 60's guy when it comes to movies, music and CARS. I would rather own a Lamborghini 350 GT than any of the current lineup of them bulls. So then, what happened on the 10th day of August in 2014 is a memory of a lifetime. Through the likes of Morris, Lotus, Studebaker, Fords, Jaguars, Mercedes, MGs and so much more, I was instantly teleported to the golden era of the automotive history. And all of this happening in my own hometown, Bangalore, makes it a bit more emotional.
The time is 8am in Brescia, Italy. Augusto Turati, secretary of the national fascist party officially inaugurated it. 77 drivers battling head to head and at the end of 1628km, only 55 drivers made it to the finish line. As the race commenced, Aymo Maggi, the local talented favorite, along with Bindo Maserati (one of the 5 Maserati brothers) took the lead in a ISOTTA FRASCHINI 8A SS, a luxury Italian carmaker back in its ripe days. But then just 30 minutes into the race and the ALFA ROMEO RL SS took a whopping 14 minute lead against the Isotta .The ALFA even passed Fernando Minoia’s OM 123, an unparalleled legend of his time. After 587km, Brilli-Peri in his ALFA still held onto the lead averaging a 106.8kmph. But Peri stretched it too far and had to retire mid-way through due to a blown engine. This sent 25000 viewers ecstasic as they screamed louder than Minoia’s OM 123 as it swooshed past the overly-dominant ALFA. 6 tyre changes, heavy competition from LAMBDAS of Strazza and even the Isotta of Maggi and after a gruesome 21hr 4min and 48s, averaging a 77.68kmph, Minoia’s victory made the Brescians go wild- literally showering flowers on the cars which overlooked the track and crowding around the OM to get a share of the victory lap with the Schumacher of their era. If you’ve come this far reading my rather “exciting” commentary, (presumably at the edge of your seat) , then you just re-lived the 1st edition of the “THE WORLD’S GREATEST ROAD RACE”, MILLE MIGLIA! |
crewMinx :
Official content editor. Grammar Nazi. Adores the Ferrari 458 and Alfa 4C. Lover of all Spyders. Froyo junkie! Kartik Kulkarni : Author, yours truly. Lazy late night blogger. Archives
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