1000 Miglia Historic Rally Comes to Florida for the First Time

Miglia in the Sunshine State

People with more than one pair of driving gloves who smile when the sweet scent of high-test gasoline tickles their nose have heard of the 1,000 Miglia race. A road rally turned historic event that holds the title of the “Most Beautiful Race in the World,” given by Enzo Ferrari himself. The original 24 races boggle the mind by today’s congested road standards but could be summed up as the spaghetti Cannonball Run.

This historic road rally has reached the shores of the never-boring state of Florida. The first edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida will take place February 22-25, 2025, in Miami.

This fully booked event will see 80 crews consisting of 160 driver/navigators travel from the starting point in Miami across a 1,000-mile loop of the Floridian landscape, passing through the Everglades, Tampa, Cape Canaveral, and West Palm Beach before crossing the finish line in Miami.

Two original 1000 Miglia veterans, the 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza, and the 1953 Ferrari 250 MM, are among the hedge fund of cars expected to be on the starting grid.

The 1000 Miglia Experience Florida’s official website describes the event as “an unforgettable experience for a chosen few,” which holds true considering the class of vehicles and the $12-14,000 registration fee (plus tax). This is no Gambler 500 or 24 Hour of Lemons—it’s top shelf all the way.

Those competing in the race will be categorized among three classes:

• 1000 Miglia Original Class: Car that participated in the 1000 Miglia Speed race between 1927 and 1957. Car models produced before 1957 that, at the organizing team’s discretion, are of special historical or sporting interest, even if they were not entered into the 1000 Miglia Speed race.
• Classic Icons Car Class: Cars manufactured between 1958 and 1994.
• Hyper-Car/Supercar Class: Sports, Grand Touring, or Supercars manufactured from 1995 to the present.

What is the 1000 Miglia?

Imagine a race where the track is 1,000 miles across the most photogenic roads of Italy. The fastest race cars of the era wheel-to-wheel on public roads through town squares and vineyard-lettered countryside at 140 mph to beat the clock and the grid. The first 1000 Miglia race debuted in March 1927.

The winners, a pair of young Counts named Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi, completed the 1,000-mile marathon in 21 hours, averaging a speed of 47.8 mph at a time when most cars broke a sweat trying to reach 45 mph.

The 1000 Miglia was hosted another 24 times between 1927 and 1957 before retiring due to the increasing life-threatening risk of having 200 mph capable cars racing across the country on public roads. Nevertheless, the event experienced a resurrection in the 1970s and has lived on as a historic rally (and lifestyle brand) for enthusiasts to embrace and partake in a spiritual successor of the glory days.

It’s a wonderful excuse to enjoy these high-performance collector cars instead of keeping them parked in a museum or private garage.

Video: Stirling Moss Interview with 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

The video below is one of the best representations of the history and energy of this race. It shows the late-great Stirling Moss being reunited with the iconic #722 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR he piloted to victory in the 1955 1000 Miglia. If this video doesn’t stir your feelings, I suggest seeking pharmaceutical help.

1000 Miglia Experience Florida February 22-25

So, if you happen to find yourself on the scenic routes of South Florida from February 22 to 25, be on the lookout for a pack of vintage race cars and exotic supercars trying their best to obey the speed limit.