The Challenge....

Team Ferrari, Team Porsche, Team TVR and Team Maserati set off from the UK on 27 August 2009 and converge in Brescia, Northern Italy, on Sunday 30 August to start the greatest Road Race of them all. Over 4 days the teams battle mountain roads, city streets, Italian drivers and rubbish sign posts to complete the Mille Miglia. The Route takes us from Brescia down the east coast of Italy to Rome at which point we turn to the north again heading up the west side of Italy to finish in Brescia on 2 September.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for a view of the route

Monday, 31 August 2009

Mille Miglia 2009 – Day 5 Push to Rome

arly start again and drive south to Rome.  The roads are appalling plus we must follow the slowest Ford Focus in the world (ever) for mile after mile. The road is too narrow to overtake and the surface is potholed. Eventually the Ford turns off just as the road surface changes to billiard table smooth and off we go.  The road is fabulous, lots of switchback corners and terrific views.
End up in Sansepulcro where the whole team is wriggly and giggly after the drive. Full of success we find an amazing looking coffee shop and order odd coffees. Most of us asked for a Cappuchino Shakerata, which was a cold latte with banana according to the menu. However, on arrival it was nearly, but not quite, almost entirely unlike a cold latte with banana as is possible. Mmmm.
Drive on past Assisi (amazing buildings but not our cup of tea) and on to Reita for ham & cheese sandwich and excellent local ice cream. No chips (no, really).
Another hilly, switch back road section follows.  Paul drives the Tiv and chases the Ferrari all the way up the mountain. A stream of very tight corners and short blast straights. Mid way he says,in a very serious tone ‘hang on’. Wise words. Paul gets out at summit of pass (near Terminillo in Lazio) and says it was his best drive ever.
I take over Tiv (mildly peeved) and drive down towards Rome.
We are going to arrive mid rush hour so plan to whizz past Colleseum for pics and the on to the hotel. No major traumas and both objectives accomplished.
Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!
Our hotel is an ex-monastery and very old (just a good 3 wood from The Vatican says Ralph). Several well earned ice-cold beers were drunk.  Well earned because at Euro10 per pint it’s posh stuff.
NOTD? Well, it took Dom all day to ruminate and award Dan (Radio Five Live) as NOTD.
Tomorrow? Nominations are yet to be heard.
Walk to Pantheon for pizza dinner. I bought a CD……      
Eat top nosh (pizza) and then have coffee (helps me with the blog) at best coffee shop in the world (ever).                             
Tomorrow we aim north to Mananello and the home of Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Cheers
Peter


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