The 81st Mille Miglia drew to a close on 17th May – the first running of the event under its new management. The major change was the emphasis on genuine Mille Miglia-type cars of all shapes and sizes (not just Gullwings and Ferraris), ensuring an even more outstanding array of metal than usual.



The 2008 run accepted 375 of the 1000-plus applications for entry and, despite the wet weather which plagued much of the Brescia-Rome-Brescia journey of endurance, the sheer variety of cars contributed to an immensely successful year. The organisers tell us that 800 people worked on the event, 8620 meals were served, and 147 resorts were crossed – in a total of 31 and a half hours of driving.

Outright winner of the 2008 Mille Miglia was Luciano Viaro, from Trieste, accompanied by his son and co-driver Antonio Viaro, at the wheel of a 1928 Alfa Romeo 1500 Super Sport from the Alfa Romeo Museum of Arese. Antonio Viaro also received the prestigious UBI Banca di Brescia trophy, given by the title sponsor. The Viaro/Viaro team achieved 29,057 points, with just 210 penalty points. In second place overall, with 27,874 points and 261 penalty points, was another Alfa Romeo: the 1930 6C 1750 Gran Sport of the Argentine duo, Fernand Sanchez Zinny and Juan Bartolomé. Third was the Italian team of Gianmaria Aghem and Rossella Conti, driving a 1938 BMW 328.

But this is truly an event that is less about winning, and more about the sheer privilege of taking part. We bring you a gallery of images which aims to capture some of that unique atmosphere…

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Mille Miglia