To this writer, Sir Stirling Moss will always be associated above all with the Mille Miglia.
Moss famously won the great Italian road race in 1955 and did so in record time with journalist Denis Jenkinson by his side in what would be one of the final contemporary runnings of the event. It was a clear highlight of Moss’ illustrious career and formed the basis for one of the most significant pieces in motorsport journalism history: “With Moss in the Mille Miglia”, which was published by Motor Sport Magazine.
To complete the Mille Miglia in 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds is an astonishing feat, and would still be a tough time to beat today if the Mille in its current form was an all-out speed run.
On the 60th anniversary of his famous win back in 2015, DSC was lucky enough to be on hand for the Mille Miglia as part of Jaguar’s effort, for what was easily one of the most memorable trips this writer has ever embarked on.
Moss was there with Mercedes and did indeed drive his original 300 SLR. To catch a glimpse of him at the start of the event in Brescia was surreal for that very reason.
But this reflection isn’t about the DSC Deputy Editor, it is about one of Moss’ friends: Derek Bell, who was also on the trip that year, and like DSC, was planted in the Jaguar camp.
DSC documented Bell’s story of what was his first run in the event at the time and noted back then the significance of Moss being present that year to celebrate his ’55 win, as it was Moss’ victory that helped plant the Mille Miglia firmly on his motorsport bucket list.
“(The Mille Miglia) Is been something I’d wanted to do for a long time,” Bell told DSC over a drink in a loud and dingy bar in Brescia after the finish.
“I remember growing up and following my childhood hero Stirling Moss in the race on crystal radio, because back then it wasn’t really covered by the BBC or anything.
“I would stay up all night, turning it up just enough so only I could hear. That’s what got me going, I wanted the challenge. But at that time I didn’t know I was ever going to race.”
The event is a different animal now. It’s far more of a high-speed parade than a competitive event. While it’s safe to say that the 450 or so cars which take part each year don’t in any way obey local speed limits, and are routinely encouraged to push by members of local law enforcement, nobody can touch Moss’ time. The cars complete the route in stages, over a number of days and are only up against the clock in pre-planned time trial segments.
It’s all about the experience, and the opportunity to feel like, even if just for a split second, you’ve travelled back to a time for motorsport which seems unrecognisable for those of us who follow it in the current era.
“The thing with the Mille Miglia now, is even though it’s on your bucket list as a driver, there’s no real reason to do it,” Bell admitted.
“It isn’t the race it once was, it’s still got much of the craziness that made it special, but there’s a reason that not many professional racing drivers do it now.
“It’s not something you need to do. My wife asked me: ‘why are you doing this, driving around Italy at high speeds?’ and I almost had no answer.”
Despite holding little significance in modern motorsport, the modern Mille Miglia has not lost its soul, heritage or purpose. It still draws huge crowds of locals, who line the streets for much of the route and fill town squares at the start and end of each day’s running. And much of Italy hasn’t moved on since the glory years of the race either. Anyone who has visited Italy recently will know, a good portion of the country is still stuck in the past, but in the best possible way.
“The route is amazing, events like this must be treasured because of this,” Bell pointed out. “When we drove past Monza, for instance, it brought back many fond memories. We went past Enzo Ferrari’s old house, which I remember being invited to when he asked me to drive for Ferrari in Formula One.
“It brings together so many great roads and such an enormous amount of fans. It’s great to see such passion for the event still in Italy. It’s fast too. The first leg was like a Formula 3 race, I was so surprised at the driving, I didn’t think I’d be able to keep it up! ”
Bell was left in awe. Experiencing the scale and varied nature of the route for yourself gives you a sense of just how tough the event would have been during the 50s when it was a round of the World Sports Car Championship and had a lot riding on it.
“All my life, I’ve been wanting to do that, I’ve been wanting to do the Mille Miglia. And now after doing it, it makes me wonder just how they used to do it back in the day, at such speeds, in one go, driving for so long?
“When I crossed the line at the end and went over the ramp,” Bell recounted, “I looked over and saw Stirling walk across the road in front of me with his wife. He was my hero and now we’re good friends, that moment didn’t mean anything to anyone else, but it was just fantastic, to me, it meant a shit load.”
In reaction to yesterday’s sad news, Derek had this to say:
“He really was ‘Mr Motor Racing’. A hero since my school days. An Icon of our sport, I’m so fortunate to have known him as a friend and the epitome of a champion and gentleman.”
Photo credits: Daimler & Jaguar
