Iconic cars, breathtaking landscapes, and a past brought to life at every turn: this is the 1000 Miglia, the timeless race that passes through the artistic cities, hidden villages and unique scenery of Northern and Central Italy. First held in Brescia in 1927 as a high-speed road race, it is now a regularity competition for classic cars, recognised worldwide as a symbol of Italian automotive excellence.
The 2025 edition will take place from 17 to 21 June and, for the third year in a row, it will be following a five-day format. The route will echo the legendary pre-war editions, featuring a figure-eight layout, just like the original race’s first 12 editions. It will be a homage to tradition, blending sporting passion with historic charm.
The story of a legend
The 1000 Miglia was born from the vision and determination of Renzo Castagneto, then director of the Automobile Club of Brescia. From his office, he coordinated an unprecedented logistical feat: a 1,600-kilometre race along the Brescia-Rome-Brescia route, designed to test cars and drivers on Italian roads, with the aim of proving that even standard production vehicles could safely and reliably handle long courses.
By his side were three visionaries: Franco Mazzotti, Aymo Maggi, and Giovanni Canestrini, with whom he brought the legend of the Freccia Rossa to life. On 26 March 1927, Maggi and Bindo Maserati’s Isotta Fraschini launched the very first edition of the 1000 Miglia, marking the beginning of an epic journey defined by courage, passion, and innovation.
These 24 editions celebrated the triumph of mechanical ingenuity and the passion for speed. But the race came to a tragic end in 1957, when a Ferrari 335 S, due to a tire blowout near Guidizzolo in the province of Mantua, was involved in a serious accident that claimed the lives of the driver, co-driver, and nine spectators.
After many years of hiatus, the competition returned in 1977 and has been held annually since 1987. Since then, the 1000 Miglia has evolved while keeping its original spirit intact. Today, it’s much more than a competition: it’s a journey through automotive history, a unique showcase featuring legendary cars, passionate drivers, and unmistakable Italian style.
Stanguellini and the 1000 Miglia
With its tradition of motor craftsmanship and innovation, Stanguellini has also left an indelible mark on the history of the 1000 Miglia. Since the 1930s, the Modena racing cars have taken part in the race with agile, lightweight, and competitive models, often capable of surprising more renowned rivals.
In the 1930s, Vittorio Stanguellini dedicated himself to modifying Fiat engines for racing, and in 1936, at the tenth edition of the 1000 Miglia, he debuted a Balilla Sport driven by the Modena duo Righetti-Camellini, who set a record time on the Brescia-Bologna stretch and finished in fourth place in their category. The following year, it was the Balilla driven by the duo Rangoni-Cornia (a Stanguellini test driver) that set a record time for the same stretch, reaching 126.648 km/h in the pouring rain.
At the 12th 1000 Miglia, the duo Baravelli-Sola claimed first place in the 750cc class, while Marquis Lotario Rangoni, partnered with Cornia, finished fourth in the 1100cc class, driving an Alfa Romeo 2300 backed by the Modena manufacturer. At the 15th 1000 Miglia, Aldo Terigi and Mario Berti secured third place in their category with a Fiat-Stanguellini 1100 featuring Ala d’Oro bodywork, while the duo Scagliarini-Masi finished fifth.
In 1949, Vincenzo Auricchio achieved fourth place overall, and in 1955, he took first place in the 750cc class. Also worth mentioning are the successes of Paolo Martoglio and René Faure, who finished second and third respectively in the 750cc class in 1956.
Lastly, in 1984, a 1947 Stanguellini 1100 won the regularity competition with Palazzini and Campana behind the wheel.
Today, at the Museo Stanguellini, we safeguard these memories on four wheels: rare cars, documents, photographs, and stories that testify to the enduring bond between our history and that of the 1000 Miglia. We look forward to seeing you!