1000 Miglia Expertise, UAE, traditional, classic vehicles, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Sir Stirling Moss, Tazio Nuvolari and Alberto Ascari are legends in their very own proper, however all of them have one factor in widespread: they’re winners of the Mille (1000 in Italian) Miglia, thought-about to be the best highway race on this planet.

Having participated in each earlier UAE editions – a regularity occasion for classic and traditional vehicles to rejoice the unique race – I nonetheless pinch myself after I take into consideration the experiences. On the very first version in 2022, I used to be driving a Mercedes-Benz 560SL (R107), one in all my all-time favourite vehicles. I used to be following Simon Kidston’s legendary Lamborghini Countach with its well-known license plate – 77 UFO – and had Jacky Ickx in his unique 1968 Porsche 911 – Bahama Mama – in my rear-view mirror. A second later, I used to be overtaken by Jochen Mass driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, and up forward was a useful 1961 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa cornering laborious round a panoramic highway. Simply one other day on the 1000 Miglia Expertise UAE.

Traditional Dinos (Ferraris) and a recent Lamborghini prepared for the flag-off on the Queen Elizabeth 2.

The who’s who of the traditional automotive and motorsport world, together with traditional automotive celeb Simon Kidston and Sandra Button of Pebble Seaside Concours, in addition to well-known racing drivers like Jochen Mass, Jacky Ickx, and Lamborghini’s famend check driver Valentino Balboni, are a number of the Huge names current on the occasion yearly. Actually, HK Engineering from Germany brings his entourage of Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs to the occasion yearly, taking the tally of 300 SLs to over 10 (sure, ten). I used to be additionally happy to see Jagmaniacs (traditional Jaguar specialists) convey a few of their Jaguars to the occasion. On common, vehicles collectively price $150 million to $200 million take part on this occasion.

Bugatti Veyrons, Lykan Hypersports, Porsche Marc Philipp Gemballa “Marsien”, Ferrari 250 Testa Rossas, uncommon classic Bugattis, Rolls-Royces and traditional Alfa Romeos driving facet by facet alongside scenic coasts and cliffs are simply regular views on the UAE version of the world’s essentially the most iconic motoring occasion.

Bugatti Veyrons and Ferrari 275GTBs are widespread right here.

The very best half is you can now simply take part within the upcoming 1000 Miglia UAE 2024 from December 1-5, in a automotive of your alternative, so long as it meets the eligibility standards. The occasion is open to traditional vehicles, up to date supercars, and fashionable classics. To present you an concept, you possibly can participate in an Indian-made Mercedes-Benz W124 sedan, a Ferrari, a Porsche supercar, or perhaps a traditional Fiat Millecento.

Trendy Classics driving down the coast alongside the Oman-UAE border.

The 1000 Miglia is arguably essentially the most iconic race within the traditional automotive world, and its UAE version might be essentially the most pleasing traditional automotive (driving) occasion you possibly can expertise anyplace on the planet.

The occasion within the UAE is hosted in partnership with Octanium Experiences LLC, UAE, and 1000 Miglia Srl, Italy. What makes this version actually spectacular and distinctive amongst motoring occasions worldwide are usually not simply the vehicles but additionally the breathtaking views as you drive across the United Arab Emirates. Aside from the enjoyable of driving for round 6 hours a day, dwell music by famend bands, champagne, gourmand delicacies, and luxurious accommodations with the very best hospitality make an already fabulous expertise much more memorable. Apart from the opening gala dinner and prize distribution night time, I’ve significantly loved dinner on the deck of the docked Queen Elizabeth 2 Lodge (an annual affair).

The legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is the most well-liked automotive on the 1000 Miglia Expertise UAE.

In 2023, the occasion prolonged from Dubai to Ras Al-Khaimah alongside a surprising rocky shoreline. It even had an unprecedented crossing into the Sultanate of Oman. One of many many highlights is driving to the height of Jebel Jais (over 1,900 metres), usually thought-about among the finest driving roads on this planet or the Pikes Peak of the Center East.

The five-day occasion consists of quick highways and mountain tunnels en path to Fujairah, in addition to some actually superb driving roads, such because the twisty routes by way of the Hajar Mountains. Imthishan Giado, head of selling at Octanium Experiences, mentioned, “In our second version, the 1000 Miglia Expertise UAE 2023 explored new roads, crossed borders and took contributors on a magical journey throughout the huge Arabian panorama. From the rocky coastal hamlet of Musandam in Oman to the majestic dunes of the UAE, we had been proud to take our rally contributors to locations a traditional automotive has merely by no means been to earlier than. I anticipate to see and welcome some superb autos and drivers from India – as now we have up to now – once more this yr.”

A variety of Indian entries have taken half and even gained on the occasion over the past two editions. (Amirali and Wendy Jetha gained the Jubilee Class in 2022 of their Fiat Millecento). For fanatics, comparable to businessman Yohan Poonawalla and myself, the 1000 Miglia UAE has grow to be an annual fixation and a splendid strategy to finish the (motoring) yr each December. See you on the Mille Miglia (UAE)!

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