European Rally Championship (ERC): Rally 1000 Miglia 2009 preview

basso2 European Rally Championship (ERC): Rally 1000 Miglia 2009 preview

The first round of the European Rally Championship (ERC) 2009 takes place in Italy for the Rally 1000 Miglia. Known more famously around the world as the “Mille Miglia”, this famous race was first run in 1927 to 1957 from Brescia to Rome and back, and now it is run as a stage event, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN.

Organised by the Automobile Club of Brescia, this event was run for the first time in 1977: since 1993 it received FIA accreditation, and only in 2001 was it incorporated into the European Rally Championship calendar. After two years in Brescia and another two in Montichiari, the heart of the event for 2009 heads to Desenzano. The ceremonial start and the podium finish (together with the prize-giving ceremony) will take place in Lungolago Anelli along the shores of Lake Garda, just outside the historic town centre of Desenzano.

Edition 73: http://rallyehq.com/handbrakes-and-hairpins/H&H-73.pdf

Entered into the Italian Rally Championship in 1985, the Rally 1000 Miglia attracts some of the best rally drivers in Europe and boasts more than 100 crews. Past winners of this prestigious event include Dario Cerrato, Fabrizio Tabaton, Gianfranco Cunico, Piero Longhi, Andrea Dallavilla, Renato Travaglia, Miguel Campos, Giandomenico Basso and Paolo Andreucci.

The race is run through one of the most picturesque parts of Northern Italy, and all the stages set on smooth tarmac roads. The rally will consist of two days with seven different stages (all to be run twice), plus one SuperSpecial. This will add up to a total distance of 960 kilometres, of which 265 will be competitive kilometres.

Rally 1000 Miglia is one of three rallies comprising the prestigious “Trident Trophy” events (the other two being the Ypres Westhoek Rally in Belgium and the Rallye Antibes in France). This event is a spectator-friendly event, and to illustrate this the 2008 running of the event attracted more than 90 000 fans, and over 120 media representatives!

To enlighten you to the cultures of the world, this rally is run in the Italian province of Brescia. Near to the mountains (many ski resorts are within one hour’s drive), the area is surrounded by three lakes and is internationally renowned as a holiday destination for its swimming, sailing and surfing. Also it boasts some of the best wines (red, white and sparkling) produced in Franciacorta.

Rally 1000 Miglia 2009 takes place 17 - 19 April.

Article supplied by EVAN ROTHMAN / HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS

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