For over 70 years the month of May has been synonymous with two of the most historic and challenging motor races the world has ever known – the Indianapolis 500 and the Mille Miglia. Both events are steeped in history – having seen some of the world’s greatest drivers and finest cars compete in their respective spring classics. Similarly, both events have come to encompass the very racing soul of their respective countries. In the case of the Mille Miglia, from 1927 to 1956, all of Italy would come to a grinding halt for a day, as drivers such as Fangio, Moss, Nuvolari, Ascari, Biondetti and Varzi, would storm the 1000 miles from Brescia to Rome and back to Brescia. To win the Mille Miglia was to become an international star – and an Italian hero.
And so with all this history, tradition and national pride in mind, we consider it a true honor that the organizers of the Mille Miglia Storica named the Vintage Racecar Journal, “Historic Racing Magazine of the Mille Miglia.” High praise from such a revered institution.
In recognition of this honor and to pay tribute to the men and machines that built this legendary event, we have devoted this May issue to the glory of the Mille Miglia – past, present and future.
Our regular monthly columnists Pete Lyons and Tim Considine, have put together a pair of outstanding articles on two of the Mille Miglia’s lesser celebrated champions, Denis Jenkinson and John Fitch.
“Jenks”, a celebrated English journalist, was the gnomish navigator for Stirling Moss when the pair won the 1955 Mille Miglia. His detailed pace notes enabled Moss to set a pace so ferocious that it was never to be beaten.
Noted American racer John Fitch, won the 1955 Mille Miglia GT category despite driving a showroom stock Mercedes Gullwing and having a navigator who spoke little English and had never been in a racecar before the event! Fitch recalls that the only input his frazzled navigator could contribute during the 11-hour event was, “My God!!”
Next, our European editor Ed McDonough, looks into one of the great cars and great mysteries of the Mille Miglia – the 1950-winning Ferrari 195S. Like an archaeologist searching for evidence of a lost civilization, Ed makes sense of the car’s uncertain history and gets a chance to sample one of the cars that helped build the Ferrari mystique.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible effort of our Italian Bureau Chief, Robert Newman, who has been instrumental in both the organization of our involvement with this year’s Mille Miglia Storica and in the creation of several exceptional articles for this issue. Of particular interest is his round-table discusssion with some of the greatest legends of the Mille Miglia. In their own words, hear what Fangio, Nuvolari, and the commendatore himself, Enzo Ferrari, had to say about the challenges and rewards of the Mille Miglia. If you’re asking yourself, “How’s this possible?” Read on, you will be amazed!
A Special Welcome
Each participant in this year’s Mille Miglia Storica (May 25-28) will have received a complimentary copy of this Special Issue in Brescia. To all those competing in this year’s event, I want to extend a warm welcome from the staff of the Vintage Racecar Journal and congratulate you on taking part in one of the finest historic motoring events on the international calendar. We hope you enjoy this special issue and will join our international audience of vintage and historic racing aficionados. Forza Mille Miglia.
