Every year in May, car enthusiasts from around the world gather in Italy to drive 1,000 miles across the country. The event, known as 1000 Miglia, has extensive qualifying requirements for eligibility to participate (luxury car included).
But now, locals can get a taste of 1000 Miglia stateside, as the organization is holding a qualifying event in Middleburg from Wednesday Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 26. The 1000 Miglia Warm Up USA 2019 will also take place in and around Creighton Farms, Summit Point, West Virginia, and other points in the DC region and will cross more than 500 miles.
Highlights of the event include one full day of training and three days of racing in true 1000 Miglia style: More than 50 time trials will be held and each will finish on Italian soil at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in DC on Oct. 26.
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1000 Miglia Warm Up is divided into two classes and is open to 25 cars. The 1000 Miglia Era Class includes 1,000 Miglia-eligible car types, built between 1927 and 1957, as well as significant sports and ground touring cars built during the same period. The Post-1000 Miglia Era Class is open to select sports, grand touring and supercars built from 1958 to present day.
The race will begin in Middleburg on Oct. 24, and the town is hosting a morning send-off where cars will line up at the start line on North Madison Street and will proceed across the start line at 8:30 a.m. Spectators are welcome to cheer the cars on, as it will take about 30 minutes for all of the cars to pass through.
On Friday morning, the cars will leave Middleburg at 9:30 a.m., but will return for an evening street festival from 5 to 7 p.m. on the block of North Madison Street. Cars will be on display for guests, and there will also be food trucks and a street festival.
The cars will also be on display on Saturday morning for a Cars and Coffee event from 6 to 9 a.m. (the cars will begin departing at 8 a.m.). They will then head to The Club at Creighton Farms to be put on display for the Cars & Cappuccino event, including a continental breakfast buffet and an auto showcase of rare, historic cars and luxury vehicles.
Spectators at Creighton Farms can also watch the official 1000 Miglia Warm Up USA time trial event from 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $50 per person and include the breakfast buffet. Note that tickets must be purchased prior to Sunday, Oct. 20.
The winner of the warmup will be awarded the first Coppa USA and the eight best crews will qualify for the 1000 Miglia 2020 in Italy in May.
For more information, visit destinationmiddleburg.com/mm2019 and 1000miglia.it/warmupusa. // North Madison Street in Middleburg and Creighton Farms: 22050 Creighton Farms Drive, Aldie; most events free, time trial event $50
