Mille Miglia, participants go across the Emilian region that was hit by the earthquake
Company press release.Mirandola, Medolla, Moglia, Guastalla. These are some of the Emilian city centers most affected by the 2012 earthquake. Today – almost a year away – the Red Arrow visits the places hit by a tragedy that is still so felt by the Emilian population. Reggio Emilia, 18 May 2013 – It is the only real deviation from the traditional Mille Miglia race route, the one that the 24 historic speed editions followed from 1927 al 1957. About one year has passed since the earthquake severely hit Emilia, and some of its bordering territories. The Red Arrow wished to pay homage to the municipalities affected. They did so by altering the historic race route to include the passage through Emilian lands in order to show solidarity with the Emilian people. In this way, the memory of a tragedy that deeply marked this territory will be kept alive. Prior to Emilia was a Mille Miglia experience in Tuscany that really gave crews a tremendously warm welcome and a chance to see quintessential Italian landscapes. Entire families came to greet the festive Mille Miglia procession. In certain places, like Piazza del Campo in Siena, the cars actually had to struggle in order to get through the festive embrace of the people. The thrill unites the professional racers and the fans. For David Coulthard 'It's amazing, exciting. Up to now everything has been fantastic. I can not wait to see the race all the way to the end – even more so now, with the sun everything is even better.' For model David Gandy it is a bit of a surprise, 'I can not say it's what I expected. In order to understand how it feels to race the Mille Miglia, you really do need to just experience and live it. With the sun shining on us now, we are enjoying the breathtaking views even more.' He and Yasmin Le Bon, took turns at the wheel of a Jaguar XK 120 OTS and it is hard to say who is more of a fighter. Even for the British model, words are not enough to express the emotions she feels 'Moved, excited, magnificent ' is what she says when asked how she feels. It is the very car that Coulthard drives that has been eternally imprinted on Mille Miglia's celebration poster. It was created by Enzo Naso, a Neapolitan car designer, artist and mechanical engineer, whose passion for cars led him to begin painting the Mille Miglia's posters in 1977. After stopping for some time, this year Naso dedicated his 12th work of art to the most beautiful race in the world. 'I chose a noteworthy car for the poster, a Mercedes 300 SLR, once driven by Fangio and today by Coulthard. The setting of the poster is nightfall, representing a more heroic or challenging atmosphere, which is what the competitors face today. In the background I wanted to put Marzotto's Ferrari, not just because he recently past away, but so that we could celebrate the 60th anniversary of his second victory. Let's not forget though that the Mille Miglia is also a struggle. Crossing the Apennine Mountains to reach the Futa and Raticosa Mountain passes, really tested the stamina of the beautiful racing specimens. Afterwards, the Red Arrow entered Emilia, and in this very moment they are passing through Sassuolo, Guastalla and Mirandola, cities that signify the destruction done by the earthquake. In each of these locations a Passage Control is programmed. What Red Arrow has done in the Emilian territories is not only a symbol of affection. 1000Miglia Srl and Sixt - gold sponsors of the race – have created 'Wipe the little ones tears,' which is a charity project to help children who have been affected by the earthquake that hit during last year's Mille Miglia. A center for traumatized children affected by disasters will be built using the proceeds from the project. Every single penny will be used towards the project known as 'The Firefly' which is a therapy center for children between 3 and 18 with different types of disabilities. The therapy room of the center will be redone and fully- equipped. The organization building all of this is the Mille Miglia.
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Leaving the Emilian territory, crews pass the River Po this evening in order to enter the Province of Mantua. Then the Red Arrow will be directed towards Cremonafor a Passage Control, the last one before tonight's grand finale in Brescia. There are only 7 regularity stages to go, and the Argentinian Juan Tonconogy is still in the lead, behind the wheel of his 1927 Bugatti T 40. He is followed by Giordano Mozzi in a 1933 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport. In third place is Giordano Moceri in his 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans.