The Mille Miglia 2010 is at the starting line. The crews are anxiously awaiting the “Via!”, ready to emerge themselves in this exciting adventure.
This year two Brescians, Massimo Bettinsoli and Giovanni Carpi, are going to make their first entrance into the race in a 1954 Porsche 356 speedster 1500. Giovanni Carpi, the co-driver, explains the reasons why he chose the Mille Miglia for his first debut into the world of car racing.

You are new to car racing. What about your driver, Massimo Bettinsoli?

Well, Massimo has participated in the Eighth Historic Revival of the Coppa Milano-Sanremo, but generally speaking, I think you can say that this will be a first experience in the world of regularity racing for both of us.  

What sort of tests are you doing to check out your car so that you will be prepared for the start?

We haven’t really subjected the car to any real test. But we have really worked on ordinary maintenance, which is essential for a jewel of a car like this. My driving companion and I have been trying to get in shape by doing time-tests.

We’re just a few days short of the start of the Mille Miglia 2010. What are your expectations?

Speaking sincerely, the first thing we want is to have fun. Lots of fun. We aren’t really ambitious. We obviously though don’t want end up at the bottom of our class, of course. A position right in the middle would be just fine.

You are from Brescia, just like the winners of last year’s race. So of course, you are playing in house. How does it feel to take part in the race that is the symbol of your hometown?

Zurich: first stop on the International Roadshow

After Geneva, which first hosted the International Roadshow in 2008, the Mille Miglia has chosen for this year’s first stop on its globe-trotting itinerary, Switzerland’s most populous city: Zurich. Switzerland’s many collectors and lovers of classic cars grabbed the opportunity to show their passion. On Wednesday, April 21, an exclusive group of guests were invited to the multimedia presentation of that very Italian symbol, the Mille Miglia 2010, at the Dolder Grand Hotel of Zurich, which was followed by a cocktail where Italian specialties were served. The race has thus become more than “just” one of the most important rendezvous in the classic car world, but has also become an occasion where Italian culture and its atmosphere is celebrated and enjoyed. The International Roadshow will proceed with its program, promoting the Mille Miglia, while remaining always a privileged moment for international visibility of the Made in Italy theme.

The whole city of Brescia is getting ready to welcome the Mille Miglia 2010. The excitement is building up. Just a few days left until the start of the race, but Brescia is preparing, with a night where the sun never sets on the city, filled with culture, art and spectacle.
     The Notte Bianca della Mille Miglia is a joint project between the Mille Miglia and its city, and now celebrates its first anniversary. On April 30 the piazzas and the streets will fill with a rich cast of artists, actors and singers ready to entertain all present. Its most picturesque places will serve as a backdrop. Piazza della Loggia, symbol of the city, will feature concerts with Noemi and the Rino Gaetano Band with Marco Morandi. At the museum, the Museo di Santa Giulia, jazz will ring out in the night, featuring, among others, Marco Lo Russo and Luciano Michelini. There will be many other street artists as well, with traveling shows in suggestive corners of the old city, and museums, shops and cafès will stay open until the wee hours of the morning.

After 24 historic races and 27 successful revivals, last year’s Mille Miglia drew four million spectators along the roads, and media from across the world. Not only does the Mille Miglia manage to keep its incredible appeal, which makes it so unique in the world of motoring events, but it also keeps growing and renewing itself, year after year, holding high the name of Italy in the world.

As a symbol of Italy, the Mille Miglia continues to attract the great names in design and industry of our country. The race is an occasion for them to link their fame to the Mille Miglia’s prestige. Following on this track, among the new features of the 2010 race is the business sponsorship between the Mille Miglia and Fred Mello apparel.
Fabio Castelli, the creative and marketing director of the brand, is a great lover of classic cars and has taken part many times in the race as a competitor. So now he has decided to become a business sponsor of the event.