1000 Miglia Srl – the Italian company that organises the 1000 Miglia, also known as “The Most Beautiful Race in the World” – and Octanium Experiences LLC are proud to announce the return of the highly-anticipated 1000 Miglia Experience UAE classic regularity rally with an expanded roster of drivers and an exciting new route, taking place from December 3-7, 2023. Here are the latest news on the event.
This event is supported by the UAE Ministry of Interior and the UAE Government Media Office.
After a highly successful 2022 edition which drew more than 7,000 visitors and reached over 24 million people on social media, the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE is back with a remixed route that includes an all- new destination: the Sultanate of Oman. This year’s event will be the first classic regularity event to complete a stage under the magnificent Gate Building, the crowning centrepiece of the Dubai International Financial Centre, and conclude with a magnificent finale on Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi.
The 2023 edition has drawn an incredibly robust response with over 50% of the participant drivers coming from around the globe (up from 35% in 2022). Vehicles are currently en-route to the UAE from a wide range of international destinations including Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In total, participants come this year from 31 countries.
Highlights from an outstanding lineup of classics include:
- 1931 Alfa 6C 1750 GS “Aprile” – Unique, multiple-awarded coachbuilt example from the vault of one of the world’s most appreciated collections
- 1969 Aston Martin DB6
- 1968 Ferrari 275GTB4
- 1956 AC Ace – the car that became the legendary Shelby Cobra
- Four stunning Ferrari Dinos, the most that have ever raced together in the UAE
- An impressive fleet of 11 legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings and Roadsters
- This year’s event will be attended by a number of international celebrities including:
- Jodie Kidd, international supermodel
- Corrado Lopresto, famous Italian collector
- Dieter Quester, legendary Austrian DTM and Formula One driver
- Stefan Johansson, Swedish Formula One driver and 24 Hours of LeMans winner
- Valentino Balboni, famous Lamborghini test driver
- Thierry Boutsen, former Formula One driver
- Jochen Mass, racing legend from Formula 1 and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner
This year, the popular Opening Day on December 3 – free to the public – moves to the Apron Views at the Meydan Racecourse , home of the famous Dubai World Cup horse race. At this iconic setting the public can enjoy an exciting stay at the 1000 Miglia Village and view all the participating vehicles in one extraordinary location while teams train for the challenges ahead. The event will once again be supported by the most influential car clubs and communities in the UAE with a car display of truly blue-chip quality.
On December 4 the rally teams will flag off from the racetrack of the Meydan, commencing their epic 1,600km journey across the UAE. Leaving Dubai, teams head straight for the Ras Al Khaimah border where their first challenge awaits: the rocky outcrop that comprises Oman’s breathtaking Musandam Peninsula. Following this unprecedented international expedition, the teams retire for the evening at a five-star Intercontinental Resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
From the sunny coasts of Ras Al Khaimah, the rally charts a course upward to return to one of its favorite tests: the Jebel Jais mountain, a test of precise driving and preparation, with a dizzying climb that would test a modern vehicle – let alone cars that are nearly one hundred years old.
After a relaxing stay in Fujairah, the rally returns to Dubai via the charming hamlet of Hatta before diving headfirst into the towers of power at Dubai International Financial Centre with a signature stop under the world famous Gate Building, before concluding at the Queen Elizabeth 2 liner for the evening.
On the final day of the event, the teams enjoy a traditional lunch in the desert before heading to Abu Dhabi and the high octane thrills of Yas Marina circuit. Finally, they arrive to the cheers of a welcoming crowd at the ADGM square at Maryah Island and the Trophy Ceremony at the Park Hyatt Hotel Saadiyat Island.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President said: “We are delighted to continue as the official timekeeper of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE, extending a tradition that originated in Italy to the UAE. The partnership between Chopard and 1000 Miglia, established in 1988, stands as one of the longest in history between a watchmaker and an automobile event, reflecting Chopard’s well-known affinity for classic cars and its passion for motorsport.
We have no doubt that the 2023 UAE Experience will bring a sense of style and mechanical excellence, values that Chopard proudly embodies. Competitive spirit and sense of camaraderie, energy, dynamism and distinctive elegance — the essence of the celebrated 1000 Miglia classic car race — have been artfully expressed by Chopard through the Mille Miglia watch collection for the past 35 years”.
1000 Miglia Srl CEO Alberto Piantoni said: “I am proud to represent 1000 Miglia here again for the second edition of this event. I would like to extend my warmest thanks in particular to the participants who are the real protagonists in all events organised under the Red Arrow banner.
“1000 Miglia has a history that is almost a hundred years old, with deep roots that over time have led the Red Arrow to be universally recognised as the most important regularity race for historic cars in the world. Since 1977, the historic commemoration has been transformed into a regularity race for classic cars and, remaining faithful to the traditional route from Brescia to Rome and back, today the race travels across Italy, passing through places that are unique in terms of beauty and reviving the challenge of the original idea. During the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE, the crews will be introduced to the world of classic Italian regularity racing with intensive training on the rules and the use of timing instrument, an opportunity to enjoy the fun and competition in a fascinating and unusual territorial context. My wish is to be able to see the names of these new enthusiasts soon in Italy, included in the list of participants in the 1000 Miglia. “
“It is a source of great pride for us at 1000 Miglia to bring and admire unique cars to the roads, both historic and latest-generation Supercars and Hyper cars, jewels of design that in some cases have written the pages of automotive history and its evolution. Narrating, sharing and bringing to life the spirit of the Red Arrow through our events also in territories outside Italy is a great pleasure before being a great commitment: the more than one hundred crews that will take the start in the second edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE are the confirmation that the format has great appeal also in new lands.”
Mr. Shehab Gargash, MD & Group CEO of Gargash Group, said: “Gargash have been associated with the automobile in this country since the earliest cars cut a path across desert sands. We are proud to be a part of Mille Miglia once again this year, celebrating the heritage of the automobile in a rally of grace and elegance that winds across the seven Emirates.”
Octanium CEO Martin Halder said: “After an extremely successful launch in 2022, we are proud and honored to return with a fully-booked second edition. The response from participants from around the world has been absolutely overwhelming, and we look forward to welcoming many new faces to this great nation.”
“I would also like to thank all of our partners, without them such an event would be simply impossible. Please allow me to mention just the ones who have been with us from the onset of this great journey– our friends at Chopard which has had an extremely long association with the 1000 Miglia, the team at Gargash Enterprises whose Mercedes-Benz vehicles and technical support have been pivotal to our operations, and lastly Carrera for their stunning eyewear which has been always appreciated by our participants.
“With over 120 teams and an stunning new stop in Oman, spirits are running high as we build towards the launch of the premier classic car event in the region. We are confident that the Opening Day on December 3 will be the landmark event in the local automotive social calendar as members of the public arrive in their thousands to witness the world’s rarest and valuable vintage autmobiles begin this unmissable event. With the continued support of the UAE Ministry of Interior, EMSO and the regional Tourism Authorities, we expect this year’s edition to set a new benchmark for classic car events in the Middle East.”
Report by 1000migliaexperience.ae
