Chopard

An event sponsored by my favorite brand Chopard, and I always wondered what it would be like.

Would there only be cars with Chopard registration?

 

2016 was the year to find out!

 

Time to bring a former participant back to an event,…

…when the historical city of Brescia with its UNESCO world heritage sites…

…turns into the 1000 Miglia final arrival stage.

 

Wait, does anybody know where to go to?

Follow the arrow?

Or this one?

 

 

It can’t be far, so please check for upcoming parts as reply to this thread 

Part 1 – Heritage and style

Part 2 – An event for friends, couples and family

Part 3 – Invent, celebrate and have fun

Part 4 – Loyal customers and first-hand contact

 

==> Continue to part 1

 

Looking for ward to more!

For heritage

First up, a winner…

…and some of the contestants

This Jaguar supposedly participated in 5 of the major race events in 1950 and is still going strong.

 

Time for authentic style

 

==> Continue to part 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friends

 

Couples

 

Family

 

==> Continue to part 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No message body

Really fantastic and unique.
I mean, I have been to other old timer events but nothing compared.
Have you been to a MM?

Thanks for watching.

Invent things like:

New aerodynamic kits

Sun shades

New way of painting

Anti-theft protection

Temperature indicator

 

Once you reached the finish line, it is time to celebrate!

Some celebrate with champagne (empty bottle on the roof)

Or the goodies that were given on the finish ramp (medal and a Mille Miglia spirit in red box)

Others enjoy celebrating with their cigars

Or again others by pleasing their ladies

But really everybody seemed to have fun

 

 

==> Continue to part 4

No message body

Is that a requirement for environmental protection and noise pollution?
Or were those cars "unwell"?
Regards,
MTF This message has been edited by MTF on 2016-06-01 19:48:22

But approaching the finish line on the ramp, the cars had to line up in Viale Venezia. The pushing we see on most of the pictures is certainly a result of people wanting to avoid overheating their engines while in the queue. Not like this guy here who lost some liters of coolant.

Why a pity? - Because the engine sounds was a concert, of course, which you could mainly here at another point in town when the cars were still driving. As far as I can say, eventually all cars were driven over the finish line with their own engine power. Best regards, kolosstt

Some of you might be regular visitors. For these two examples pictured below, I count at least 6 or even 12 participations.

Now, what do I bring home after my first time attending the event? – The experience was certainly special to see so much history and class united in such an event upholding memories of past times. Besides the fact that many cars are museum pieces and unless “you are Mercedes” like she is…

… you will hardly get an invitation to drive their inventory around.

I really like the fact that these antiques are brought out and some actually act really serious about the race portion of the event. Also note the dirt on most of the cars resulting from first day of the race in rain.

Let’s face it, 1000 miles in four days will by far not be any comfortable like in most of the cars we would be driving around. On some of the days, the cars started as early 6.30am and only arrived at their destination around 9.00pm.

This needs and in fact, I could sense the passion in the atmosphere of the event. Passion equally from those guys that most likely employ their own team of mechanics to maintain their cars, but also from a bit more regulars that put loads of sweat, money and time into this hobby just to relive a moment of the past.

Going there, you will certainly find purists and as this is watchprosite.com , I also spotted nice things concerning watches. Arranging a GTG in the aftermath of the 1000 Miglia event, would certainly bring some nice pieces together. Maybe here in the Classic Racing Club?

Of course, Chopard had the overwhelming majority in terms of wrist presence, but seeing classics like Rolex’ Paul Newman, PP’s Nautilus and AP’s Royal Oaks and even Richard Mille in action, it certainly shows that cars and watches have a strong connection.

Counting one and one together, the latter and the special passionate atmosphere would make me proud to sponsor such event (and no, I only dream of owning a watch manufacture … ..). Let's not forget the volunteers and all other supporters. May there be lots of oil left, so even if we all drive around in electric cars, but this event shall never vanish.

Will I go back? – Yes, I will, and especially to see more action like this:

Caption: See the cheeks in the wind?

Caption: That looks like much more than just fun to me.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading / watching.

 

Kind regards,

Kolosstt

from Città di Brescia

 

==The end==

Great posts!

Glad you liked it.

Thank you for sharing this event!

Best
Blomman

It's one of these occasions, which you can't really capture on pictures but I tried.

This was fantastic in every respect. Great photography! Great commentary! Thank you so much for sharing it. Really, really great stuff.
Best,

Thank you for your reply Jed. I'm glad if you enjoyed it.
Best regards, kolosstt

Kolosstt,

Thank you for your words MTF. It was actually my most favorite picture in the "action" category, as we can see how he reaches out of the car, still trying to be protected by the windscreen maybe because his cigar should be safe. I didn't see this guy's arms, hence maybe the difference in arm size is a little bit like Nadal's?

Cheers, kolosstt

That is such a special event. Love it that all those cars are being used for exactly the purpose they have been build for: driving/racing!

Would love (and will do some day) to attend this rally. All the spectators also really go nuts over this. The Italians simply love the Mille Miglia.

I've done the route myself a few years back in 5 days in my (replica) Porsche Speedster.


(on my way to Brescia)

And even when you explain that your car is a replica the still love it that it has got the Miglia decals and that you are driving the route with it. I could even park it in a no parking zone in the hart of historic City of San Marino under the eye of 2 police officers who gave me a thumps up and guarded my car until I came back

The passion for the Miglia is almost as strong as their nation football team.


Again: great report and lovely pictures!

You are a lucky man seeing your car on Flüelapass since this year most of the roads are still closed. When I drove home on Monday, I was briefly wondering if RWD and summer tires are good combination in this conditions.

Great story of yours and keep this goal of participating in the focus. Cheers, kolosstt

Although I will gladly offer myself as a driver if somebody would need one

As I offered myself further below as qualufied co-driver, and you now volunteered as driver, all we need is somebody volunteering a car.
As easy as that. Let's keep looking.
...smiling...

No message body

Thanks for sharing these really cool shots of the event. Met someone two days ago, who has participated this year but we somehow did not get to pictures (was late in the evening).

Spectacular is all I can say So are you planning on being in one of the cars in 2017?

I mean, I have a flyback chronograph, which should qualify me enough as a co-driver. Anybody looking for one can contact me via PM.

No message body

Counting on you.

As for participation, well that may take longer. And if and when I'm that far will definitely let you know

MTF