Although not a competition the 2009 Miglia Tour - so named as on the fourth day a visit to the Italian Mille Miglia Museum, at Brescia was planned - was to be a challenge pitting its crews against distance and difficult terrain whilst providing a backdrop of sometimes spectacular scenery. Planning had been carried out months in advance prior to the tour being advertised in Mascot Magazine.
Participating in the tour were crews from several Masc areas - three from Kent, five from Surrey, one from Sussex and one from Warks.
A breakdown of the cars entered was two Midgets; two rubber bumpered Midgets; three Austin Healey Sprites, two Frogeyes & one replica Sebring Sprite Coupe. No one had chosen to take part in a 948 or 1098 engined car.
There was to be a flurry of engineering activity in the remaining few months prior to departure with reports of engines and gearboxes being 'pulled' to rebuild or replace. John Clark, and I, replaced our cars clutch thrust bearing in the name of reliability. I am indebted to Vintage Restorations of Tunbridge wells for a quick turn around on an overhaul of the car's water temp / oil pressure gauge. Cars were being serviced & MOT'd in preparation. I wonder if any of the crews were on a fitness regime.
One Saturday morning Peter Gardiner, having amassed a collection of Michelin Maps, and I pawed over the maps amending the route Book where the French had 'kindly' re designated their roads. What we should find on the actual route direction boards remained to be seen.
Now to the Tour. Ladies and Gentlemen start your engines and let our tour commence.
Day 1. Dave Parker & Alan Corbett in Midget WWLl82K.Boulogne Sur Mer to Reims
We are off! The first day of the much look forward to Miglia Tour. It is very bad to start with a negative but sad to relate that one crew did not make the boat at the very last gasp. Colin & Jude who had strived to get their car fit for the tour brake down on the dockside at Dover. The body of the fuse box had split leaving them with a non running car. Offers of help via the mobile phone from Alan Anstead could not convince them to continue. Although I have never met Colin we share the experience of fitting a rebuilt engine to use on this run followed by knock-on problems from other engine bay components. Very sorry you could not make it. We crossed the channel on an Australian built alloy Speed Cat. It was very fast, taking just over an hour to get to Boulogne. I now understand why they give you a seat as standing, or walking, whilst at sea only comes with practise. The weather was fine for the axing and this was to continue all day. Today’s destination is Reims via Arras and Peronne for WW1 museum, some 170 miles. Following a re-group near the ferry port Alan Corbett and myself take the soft option and follow Alan Anstead / John Clark for the first part of the day my navigator Alan Corbett has never used the French Peage motor way system before. He did not know that the ticket must be kept safe and flat. When we tried to leave the motorway at an unmanned exit we encountered problems. The machine would not process the ticket. Seeing that we were struggling John Clark came back to help. He spoke to the control via an intercom giving the ticket number in French and up goes the barrier. We shoot, gratefully, forwards. John is rewarded for his help by the barrier coming down and striking him a glancing blow. Thankfully no harm to John, he escaped the French motor way guillotine to drive another Spridget. Back on the road, driving on mainly ’N’ & ’D’ routes. Very pleasant, quiet roads, bathed in sunshine. Arras for lunch in the main square. All the group are re-united for a social meal and after lunch stroll around town . Away again further south , rolling hills, long tree lined stretches of road - typical northern French countryside. Alan Corbett and I decide not to take in the WW1 museum as we are both a little tired. We go off route a little and take our time enjoying the scenery. Upon rejoining the route later we catch up with Alan Anstead and John Clark and the other cars. It is getting late, about 1900hr, and cold. We take a small section of motorway to get into Reims and find our first of many Campanile Hotels. Two cars join us at the Hotel. Linda & David Southcott, Sue & Jim Judd. So ends the first day with much more to look forward to. I hand over the next scribe to pen further reports but while I have the chance may I thank Alan Anstead for his excellent planning.- Dave Parker (Warwickshire).
Day 2 Sue & Jim Judd in Austin Healey Sprite Mk1V UKM878HFrom Reims to Mulhouse.
Get up early (well for a holiday), at 7.15. Down to breakfast at 8 where we meet John & Pte equally early types. Soon joined by Alan & Dave. I am tasked with leading everyone to the old motor racing pits from the Reims Gueux circuit on the D47 toward Gueux. As Jim and I had been the previous afternoon this was fortunately a simple task. The idea is that we leave at 9 am does not happen because I, the leader, am not ready (nothing unusual in that - Alan). 9.05 ish off we go in a Spritely (well Spridgetly) convoy. Beautiful Sunday morning, bright blue sky, barely any cars about. We form an orderly line in front of the beautiful white newly finished pits facing the old stand. Tripods are set up, photos taken, timed shots cause amusement with the long distance running involved. Eventually all is accomplished and we set off in convoy for Mulhouse or we started that way. In the end Alan leads three cars - himself & John Clark; Dave Parker & Alan Corbett & ourselves. Apparently we discover later that after the coffee stop Alan leads the little group through some beautiful scenery completely off route. Everyone else has followed the Route Book. Some of the group go to the motor museum but Alan, John, Jim & I go to the Cite du Train. Well worth the visit! In the evening all turn up for dinner & a good claret in the Campanile. I look forward to the Stelvio tomorrow! As a foot note we learn that Ron’s car has been struck on the roundabout luckily they are fine and the car is driveable.
Day 3 Pete & Hils in Frogeye WAS217Mulhouse to Bormio (Italy)
Beware of the bears.
Unknown to me whilst listening with great attention to Alan’s wise words of the Bears & cows, with big bells, that I was to be presented with the daily diary for this amazing drive over the Stelvio Pass. We set off with Alex & Jess, the only other Frogeye drivers for our epic journey out of France, across Switzerland and into Italy to ascend the Stelvio Pass. We crossed the border into Switzerland with our Vignette carefully placed inside the windscreen by an admiring border guard. The sky was grey but still dry, traffic was manageable, and we stayed on route. All went well until Zurich - they were ‘digging up’ Zurich, but again excellent navigational skills and we came through unscathed to be greeted with ‘Lake Luzern’ as a travelling companion. Outstanding views of the lake and good driving roads took us closer to our journey end. A pit stop or two allowed these amazing old cars - and the crew - time to catch their breath & regain composure for the next leg of the journey - Italy.
Fluellapass - now this is just the start of the mountainous terrain we were to encounter today. Gentle slopes and hairpin bends were a good tester for car and driver. The weather was slowly getting wetter but not to be beaten by a grey damp day we carried on with the hoods stowed up and over the pass. Next on the itinerary Offenpass and more road works - where did the road surface go? This was not as demanding on the cars but equally as exciting with stunning scenery and cows with bells - no bears yet thankfully. The cars are still running well but a slight lack of performance is noted and taken into account. A pit stop at Fuel at Mustair and hoods up as the snow and rain was now getting the better of the driver & navigator . We are now ready to claim this infamous road as our own. With the first hairpin under our belts we passed our other Masc drivers hastily stowing their hoods, so not to be outdone a quick stop at the next pull in had the roof’s off and we’re on the road again. Now this is a road you have to drive to understand. The different emotions you go through range from panic as the car slips around the next bend to hysterical laughter as you realise your beautiful little car is pulling for all its worth to get you up to the next hairpin bend & ever upwards into the clouds. The weather just gets worse with no views to speak of the driver and the car are the main focus to keep both on the road. A slip here and a quick gear change there see us almost to the top so we stop to catch up with the rest of the Masc cars. A photo shoot is called for in front of the last bend. The sight of snow on the ground was too much to resist so a snowball fight was on the cards. With casualties we continued our journey through the clouds to the top of the pass and already we’re on our way down, descending the other side. Slowly at first the clouds break and then the full view of the mountains reveal the most amazing scenery ever. We stop again to take in the terrain and are in awe of the route ahead laid like a ribbon across the valley. After many photographs and stops we descend into Bormio to locate our luxurious hotel for the night. I cannot imagine a more fitting end to a spectacular day than a meal with friends to exchange driving tales of the Stelvio Pass - You have to drive it !!!!
Day 4 Peter Gardiner and David Horn in M.G. Midget Mk3 1500 XUB251VBormio to Turin
Today Sue & Jim Judd left us for their tour of the Alsace. Pete & Hils Stevens and Alex Bowers & Jess Smale went via (where did they go? - Alan), David & Linda Southcott did the Gavia Pass which is marked on the map as dangerous as it has no barriers. With the obvious exception of Sue & Jim all were headed for the Campanile in Turin (Torino) and after various adventures with lunatic Italian drivers all arrived in one piece.
David & I set off from Bormio at about 9 am and quickly found ourselves in convoy with Dave Parker & Alan Corbett in their grey M.G. Midget. We took the S38 through a series of tunnels and galleries to Tirano where road works had caused a long tailback of traffic the upside of which was David got photographs of the Basilica whilst I wondered how long it was safe to hang about on the railway x-ing waiting for the traffic to clear.
After Tirano the route climbed through a series of switchbacks to Aprila the torquey 1500 romped up hills using 3rd / 4th on the straights and 2nd for the tight bits. At some point David & Alan split off from the planned route but we saw them again at the Mille Miglia Museum. Around Endelo the rain arrived so we grudgingly put the hood up for a bit. We then followed the S39 and S42 to Brescia through a series of tunnels and galleries along side lake Iseo. In between each long tunnel there was a brief glimpse of daylight and the lake. Some (Pete & Hils) even managed to find a turn off and visit the lake. The last few tunnels before Brescia had long climbs which brought the lorries down to 30 mph and caused a lot of smog. At Brescia we had no trouble navigating the ring road or finding the monastery which now houses the Mille Miglia Museum. The museum is well worth the 7E entry fee as it tells the history of the race and has a large collection of cars that competed including Aston Martins, Gull wing Mercedes, a Riley 9 and an M.G.J.2. There was also a Beatles memorabilia exhibition although this might be temporary (was anybody’s Italian good enough to work that out ?) Several people spotted pictures of George and Paul in a Sprite! Just as we were heading for the exits we realised John Clark & Alan Anstead; Ron Edwards & Peter McCarthy: Dave Parker & Alan Corbett had arrived - eventually we moved on alone as Tom Tom was already forecasting a 6.30 arrival at our hotel. We then had around 170 miles of the A21 motorway to do to position the group for the next day’s trip to France suffice to say the Italians drive too fast, too close although at least they seem to be able to judge how fast traffic is travelling before changing lane.
On arrival at the hotel in Turin it seems virtually all our tired crews were fooled by the outward opening doors on the bedrooms. The evening meal was loud and fun as usual with tales of lunatic Italian drivers and ever more lurid tales of shoulders and feet being required to exit rooms.
Day 5 Ron Edwards & Pete McCarthy in Austin Healey Sprite JML955BTurin to Nice
The day started on a low. Our Sprite had a flat battery due to the alternator being defective and not charging properly. After a push start in the pouring rain we started our journey south to Nice where we were to collect our new alternator which had been flown out to DHL Freight thanks to
Mark at Fisher M.G. Sydenham. We made the journey with Alan Anstead & John Clark as our back-up, as they had been for the last three days since our Sprite was rear - ended by a V.W. Golf. Having the new alternator fitted we set off for Monte Carlo with a walk of the G.P. Circuit a few beers on the promenade and an envious look at the Yachts and even a sighting of Jenson Button’s dad. The evening was rounded off by a meal, much as the day had started, in the pouring rain but nobody’s spirits were dampened and we looked forward to some more great days ahead. Writing this at 11.40 pm due to torrential downpours.
P.S. Feel really bad about leaving Alan A broken down in Monte Carlo. (another blonde hair found to be keeping the carb needle valve from seating - fixed in a jiff - Alan).
Day 6 David & Linda Southcott in M.G. Midget DKH754LNice to Bollene
Woke in Nice to a beautiful morning - sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Had a good breakfast then David left to retrieve the car from the car park. Loaded outside the Hotel - not easy with traffic screaming past.
Left Nice on the Promenade des Anglais and headed out ( Thank goodness - Midget no like driving in Nice!!!). Started heading up into the hills through villages with more humps. Passed through Grasse - the home of perfume manufacture and drove upwards with magnificent views of the valley. Stopped at the top for a coffee and met Dave & Alan and Ron & Peter - place was called Col de la Faye - incredible views. Stopped at Castellane (Ancienne route de Grasse). Very pretty river with a huge rock tower behind. Great photography opportunity! Lost David & camera for a while - I was left in charge of Midget. Continued on Route Napoleon through the national Park of Verdun below the peaks of the mountains - spectacular scenery. Cutting the corner to by-pass Digne Les Bains we reached Chateau Arnoux St Auban where we stopped for coffee and patisserie. On leaving there we met up with Peter and Dave and a couple of miles later Ron & Peter joined us. With Sisteron in the distance we traversed the boundary between the Vancluse and Barronies below Mont Ventoux with the medieval towns of Brantes and St Leger du Ventoux towering above us. The hillside town of Vaison La Romaine was an incredible sight on the cliffs above the river Ouveze.
We then arrived in the Cotes du Rhone wine country with vineyards both sides of the road. We were then heading for Bollene - our sat nav then sent us via roads with grass down the middle. Eventually we found the Campanile Hotel but then had to find ours - we travelled the roundabout five times before managing to find the right hotel. Thank Goodness - over to you Alex & Jess!!!!
Day 7 Alex Bowers & Jess Smale ( the Froglodytes) in Frogeye Sprite 409AXUBollene to Aurillac
With every intention of starting the day with a visit to view the Barry Troglodyte village only 2 km N of Bollene our idea was put to one side as from 8.15 am the sky turned grey and the heavens opened. The thunder and lightening rolled and the usual phrase ‘ its just a clearing up shower ‘ just did not fit. we therefore set off at about 9.45 am towards Aurillac with hoods up and lights on. We seemed to suffer only a few minor leaks no more than expected.
we made our way through the Rhone valley which seemed so flat from our previous days of stunning mountain travels. The many vineyards along the roadside and the light scent of wine fermentation was all very pleasant. We were following our travelling companions Hils & Pete Stevens in their gorgeous old English white Frog WAS217 as they expertly navigated us toward Aurillac. The long straight tree lined roads were lovely and Pete told us these trees were ‘London Planes ’. He also told us the long and unpronounceable Latin name for them which escapes me now (Platanus Hispanica - Alan). Alex was continually singing and whistling ‘Here comes the sun’ in the hope of bringing in better weather which luckily he did manage before I gagged him!. We are approaching Ales and the landscape changes again and we start weaving amongst the hills covered in trees and rocky outcrops. We drive for about 40 miles and as Alex has brought better weather we stop and put the hoods down - wonderful. We are on the lookout to locate some brake fluid which eventually brings us via a tip from a local to a place called DMO racing, a mini specialist at St Christol Les Ales. We pull into this homely looking site of a workshop with finished and unfinished projects mostly minis. Two enthusiastic French chaps though unable to supply us with exactly what we need show much interest in the ‘Frogs’., bonnets are lifted, photo’s are taken as they admire the cars. we also have much to admire of theirs. They have a beautiful Le Mans racing Healey
100 / 4 lurking in their workshop with an oil seal problem to sort out after a mini in ‘prep state’ for the Monte Carlo rally. We left without brake fluid but with the memory of a great 20 min interlude to our journey. By 1.30 pm the weather had changed again (the singing now not working!) . Tops back up! we climbed steeply into the mountains again and even though the weather was wet it lended itself for dramatic views across the landscape. Behind us appeared Ron & Pete in their M.G. We pulled over and had a quick exchange of news, we had wanted to break for lunch but it was too wet We continue and at Alzon go through a tunnel, of 800 mtrs, and pop out into better weather and enter the Regional National Park. We make our lunch stop & as if by magic the skies clear, the sun appears so does a roadside picnic bench and all this at exactly 109 miles halfway. Tops down!
We set off fully fed and watered and head towards the famous Millau Bridge. What a stunning sight it is, an amazing design achievement. Costing £272 million to build, highest point is 1125 ft, vehicle height 885 ft and it is taller than the Eiffel Tower! In the now brilliant sunshine we had a great crossing and got some great photos.
We later pull over to change drivers and Hils & I take the wheels. The Frog is a pleasure to drive & great credit to Alex, however prizing him out of the driving seat is not so easy so I have found a great new use for my sharp elbows in budging him over. We drive on and stop in the beautiful town of Estraing with glorious medieval architecture, narrow cobbled twisting and winding walkways, we soak up the ambience and refreshments.
From here we follow a lovely river and the Gorges du Lot a winding road with high sided mountain walls. As we approach Aurillac the skies darken, we think we can make the last 2 km top down, how foolish we were, torrential rain falls we scrabble to achieve an impressive pit stop of putting up the hood in 3 mins flat -who said it takes 15 mins? This brings us to the end of another wonderful day on this Miglia Tour. Thank you Alan Anstead for organising it!
Day 8 Nay & Col & Phil “Rubber Bumper Tours” M.G. MidgetAngouleme
We are the only couple to meet up, at Angouleme, with the rest of the group. We set off alone on Wednesday morning catching the 7.45 am ferry following ‘Tom Tom’ and Alan’s return route. We set off. Initially the journey started well, but it wasn’t long before we heard a strange noise coming from the rear end of Phil a wurring clonking type of noise. Hoping it would go away we continued - upon investigation we feel it due to the way the wheels are held onto the car, and having being over tightened in time have become distorted - something to be investigated upon our return. We travelled via smaller roads and our first stop was at Le Mans Campanile - following “Tom Tom’s” shortest route gave us much amusement - via height barriers and underpasses . The next day we continued to Angouleme once again via small roads and came via Chinon where we were due to stop in on the way home visiting a vineyard we visited last year. Upon arriving at Angouleme we were met with a wide variety of old cars and now filled with expectation for the days ahead .Mostly people have been welcoming and friendly! On the Friday we drove all the way around Angouleme in and out of many small villages which was fantastic. We stopped for lunch and via hand signals and the odd broken French word ended up with a fab lunch & wine etc. On Saturday we had a great morning looking at all the cars and drivers in the town centre. The hustle and bustle of setting every thing up was magical. we bumped into Alan & John (literally) in the town centre which was the start of bringing our group altogether. We then started to hear all the ‘ins & outs’ of the various adventures we had missed. We have had a great time at Angouleme the people and the cars have been brilliant (the pizzas are quite good too!!).
Angouleme is a great place, The Classic is an experience not to be missed. We would love to come again!
Nay & Col & Phil (Phil is the car - Alan) ( Not Sid (the dog - Alan) he is in holiday camp. Poor boy)).
Day 9 Sebring Sprite Coupe (rep) 577DNX Alan Anstead & John ClarkAngouleme ‘Circuit Des Remparts’
Weather prospects for the day were not hopeful with heavy rain all round. A long wait in the car park until our French guide arrived to take us on an Anglo / French convoy to the display area in Angouleme town for the day.
(A big thank you to Michel Lebigre of L’Amicale Spridget for organising a joint meal on the Saturday night of our stay at Angouleme and for arranging for us to display, with L’Amicale, in the town on race day. I should also mention that The President of L’Amicale - Guy Taton has invited Masc to twin with L’Amicale - Alan)
There we were provided with cardboard to lay under the cars to protect the Square - as if! Sure enough the rains came and we dodged the showers all day taking shelter in the many pavement cafés. Despite everything a good time was had by all. A minor fault in Alan’s car had been rectified with the use of a borrowed wrench and it’s owner did in fact track one down for Alan at the meeting manufactured in high tensile forged chocolate. This proved unsuitable for use and was later consumed. The race meeting is dealt with elsewhere but on the subject of food an evening meal had been booked at a town restaurant where the whole party were booked in. Suitably booted and suited and protected from the elements the party walked to town only to find the restaurant locked and bolted for the weekend! The party disintegrated some eating pizzas & beer in a bus shelter with others running food back to the hotel. Some surprise was expressed when we find some of our number back in the supposedly closed hotel restaurant. These members were suitably chastised for the evening………………………………........John Clark.
Day 10 John Clark continuesAngouleme to Arnage (Le Mans)
Following the trials of the previous night the day started slowly with conditions grey and misty. Venturing from Rally H.Q. we found visitors and competitors drifting away. Having fuelled the previous night a fast route up the auto route was planned (a) to catch up with the rest who were earlier away and (b) enable Alan to spend longer at the Vineyard visit with wine tasting (only joking officer!). This was a visit planned by Nay & Col. I noted with interest road signs bearing silhouettes of spanners and wrenches and realised that they gave locations of chocolate shops. Not service centres as previously thought. Alan was already planning our next Continental Trip and a stop at Richelieu was made to be included in the itinerary. The town, home to the Cardinal, of the same name in Medieval times + of Three Musketeers fame proved well worth a visit. The party re grouped at Chinon in the Loire Valley then travelled on to the tasting . The vineyard now owned by an apparent rebel from California was worthy of its reputation . His production methods seemed to go against the Church who appeared to lay down the harvesting rules. A competition was run to see how many bottles can be fitted in a Frog (a car that is!). On a technical note it was suggested that the boot of a rubber bumper was better constructed for this purpose. That said a full crew, luggage, and 10 days of dirty washing imposed severe limitations. Our own picnic to be taken on site soon to be taken by Alan on the roof of the Sebring but by the time I reached the car we were on our way in a cloud of bread crumbs to our next destination , Parcay Les Pins the planned base for our Classic Le Mans Tour (5-16 July 2009) next year. Refreshments taken with our hosts, long time friends, in long awaited sunshine proved pleasant with a newly adopted, 3 legged, cat providing entertainment - a very passable impression of a Meercat. Then onwards to visit more ex pat friends who regularly marshal at various racing events who gave us more ideas for motoring trips abroad. A fast run then followed along well worn paths up to Le Mans for a final night dinner at the Hotel with the usual speeches in an alcohol laden atmosphere - well gently laced. It was agreed that a good time had been had by all despite the interventions of the Organiser! Thanks again Alan
Day 11 - Arnage (Le Mans) to Boulogne.Homeward bound for Boulogne. Our trip had taken a circuitous route; Reims via Arras & Peronne (WW1 Museum); To Mulhouse for either the National Motor Museum (Schlumpf Collection) or Train Museum (Chemin de Feu); through Switzerland past lakes and over mountains to the awesome Stelvio Pass at Bormio Italy; then more mountains, galleries and tunnels, to the Mille Miglia Museum (Mille Miglia Italian Road Race 1927-1957) at Brescia; more mountains and the Tende tunnel route out of Italy to Monte Carlo; along Napoleons Highway to Bollene; more mountains, hills and gorges, and the Millau Bridge to Aurillac; then to Angouleme for the Circuit des Remparts motor race weekend to meet with L’Amicale Spridget and also to watch Masc member Martin Ingall race his Sebring Sprite rep (see www.sebringsprite.com) ; via Chinon (for a wine tasting) to Arnage (Le Mans). I fail to mention the many interesting places & roads we have travelled in between. Some have taken the ‘off route options’ such as the Gavia Pass and the Village of Martyrs ( a village whose occupants were executed by SS Das Reich 22 Panzer Division - the deserted, and destroyed, village remains a monument to civilian dead of WW2 ) at Oradour sur Glane. But our tour is not over yet as the Medieval castle towers over us at Les Andelys . We stop to find Ron & Pete foraging for food whereas John & I picnic, on Roquefort cheese & baguette, by a deserted, & derelict, homestead outside Gournay en Bray. A coffee stop at St Riquier, beside the Abbatial de St-Riquier, and just as we are about to depart Dave & Alan drive into town. We leave before them en route to our next stop at Montreuil, passing through the medieval battle site at Crecy-en-Ponthieu (Battle of Crecy 26/08/1346) , where we stretch our legs on the ramparts that surround the town. A 24 mile drive then brings us to the dockside at Boulogne where we all meet for the ferry home having not seen those not mentioned all day. David & Linda Southcott are absent having chosen the Newhaven / Dieppe Ferry route.
My own mileage door to door was 2438 miles
Anyone interested in doing it, or something similar, again?…………………………….....Alan Anstead
Alan Anstead
Area Rep Kent / Surrey
mailto:alan.anstead@btopenworld.com
Tel: 01322-384050
