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MILAN
since its revival in 1982, it’s obliged to select its route from
the cities that featured in the first 30 years of the race. Thus,
some years Florence will be in and Bologna out, and vice
versa. Ditto Siena andMantua. The only absolute givens are
Brescia, where it still starts, and Rome, where everyone gets
some sleep before turning back. So, within historic limits, I’m
free tomake upmy own route.
That givesme free rein to explore – which is amust on
such amotoring tour of the Italian countryside. So, instead
of lunching in Florence, I drive up to the farmof Selvapiana
(
selvapiana.it
) in the hills above the city. Here, Federico
Giuntini Masseti is introducing a group of enthusiasts to the
wines his family have been growing for six generations. After
inspecting the cellars, we all troop upstairs for lunch. It’s a
perfect break and preparesme for the last part of my journey
– the drive to Rome – or so I thought.
At its height in 1955, 521 competitors took part in the
race, yet only 281 finished. It wasn’t uncommon for only half
the cars tomake it to the finish line, due to either technical
difficulties or simply because the driver had given up.
Appreciating the attractions of the local countryside,
I quickly realise why that might have been the case.
After several wrong turns, I findmyself heading over the
Appenines and down towards Siena. It’s easy to be seduced
by the landscape and the picturesque towns of Tuscany, so
I decide to spend an extra night. I’ma day behind but,
I have to admit, it’s a justifiable stopover. Parking outside the
historic centre, I buy some prosciutto and Tuscan pecorino.
The plan? To picnic inmy rather splendid room in a pensione
off the Campo, alongwith a bottle of fine Chianti.
Tomorrow, I will arrive in the Italian capital, but for the
evening I givemyself over to epicurean delights. What had
started as a private race has ended in something of a canter,
but then perhaps that’s in the spirit of what was once such
a gloriously unpredictable affair. I just hope the Counts of
Maggi andMazzotti will forgiveme.
It wasn’t uncommon for only half the cars tomake it to the finish line,
due to either technical difficulties or because the driver had given up
ALancia overtakes
British racing driver Reg
Parnell’s AstonMartin
in the earlymorning fog
of 1954’sMilleMiglia
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TRAVELLER