In 1986 we established Amici americani della Mille Miglia. The Automobile Club of Brescia, in their official yearbook, published after the 1987 Mille Miglia, was so pleased to see out logo that they devoted two color pages to it.
It is also visible on the 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce lightweight that we ran that year.
In recent years there have been objections to our use of our trademark.
We don't think there's much chance of our arrow, with the prominent USA portion, being mistaken for the classical arrow. We also think its worth noting that for over 20 years, our symbol was widely exposed, and elicited no objections.
In 2014, we will run our 24th California Mille, equaling the number of original Mille Miglia events.
*** For general information: Martin Swig 415-990-9992
Press information: Ron Wren 415-433-1040 or
The First CARS, COFFEE & CONVERSATION (CCC) Was a Huge Success
February 6, 2012
The first Sausalito Cars & Coffee was held on 4 February. Planned for the first Saturday of each month, from 8 till 10 AM at Poggio, 777 Bridgeway in Sausalito (Calif). The first time was a roaring success. Over sixty special cars appeared. Our pal, Matt Kelleher snapped these photos. If you are in the area, bring a tasty car on the 3rd of March.
*** For general information: Martin Swig 415-990-9992
Press information: Ron Wren 415-433-1040 or
A Clarification The California Mille vs. The Mille Miglia Tribute
July 7, 2011
Many people have asked if there is a relationship between the California Mille and the Mille Miglia Tribute. There is no relationship.
In short:
The California Mille is a nonprofit event. The Mille Miglia Tribute is a commercial event.
For all its twenty-one years the California Mille has endeavored to preserve the spirit of the original Mille Miglia. The Mille Miglia Tribute has yet to demonstrate its understandingof the Mille Miglia.
The California Mille focuses on entries that could have qualifiedfor the Mille Miglia (l927-1957). The Mille Miglia Tribute has recently announced an “encore” classfor newer cars to bolster an apparent lack of interest by the historic motoring community.
The California Mille selects interesting back roads that recallthe Italian countryside. The Mille Miglia Tribute designers have apparently never driventhe Mille Miglia or similar events as their route includes traffic-congested highways that cross the San Francisco Peninsula -- not once but twice.
How did this confusion between our two motoring events occur? In the past, the MilleMiglia re-creation and the California Mille embodied the same spirit as the original race. A few years ago, a Genoa lifestyle marketing group called MAC bid more than 1,000,000,000 Euros per year to run the Mille Miglia for five years, through 2012.
MAC licensed Stratus Group (a promotion organization) of Santa Barbara to stage the Mille Miglia Tribute in – of all states – California, where the California Mille is headquartered. An interesting co-incidence. When the Tribute was announced, Stratus anticipated 15,000 applicants from which the group would choose 300 to make the drive. Accepted entries would pay an $8,000 fee. That was the plan.
When too few entries came in, Stratus added a class of car called "Encore". That meant cars built after the 1957 cutoff date became eligible. That also failed to produce entrants, so they added "value-pricing". This involves soliciting clubs to enter from 1 to 25 cars at discounts ranging from 28% to 37%. Draw your own conclusions.
The California Mille does not wish the Tribute ill, but it is sad to see such a proud and historic motoring event corrupted in a quest for cash over values.
Eleven ”interesting” entries ready to roll in Art Center’s Pasadena-to-Monterey Drive
August 14-15, 2011
July 6, 2011
New or classic, it doesn’t matter, as long as the car is of “an interesting design.”
That’s the criterion for entries in the first annual Art Center Pasadena- to-Monterey drive to benefit students at the college’s Transportation Design Department. The back roads tour will leave the Art Center’s Hillside Campus at 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, at 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 14, with cars traveling north some 507 miles to Palmdale, Gorman, Frazier Park, Taft and McKittrick. The drive will arrive at the Paso Robles Inn about 5 PM for the night. The morning of August 15, the drive will continue to Monterey by way of San Miguel, Indian Valley, Coalinga and King City, arriving in time for the weeklong historic races, shows and auctions on the Monterey Peninsula.
To date, eleven drivers will showcase their design-worthy cars, including:
Robert Cumberford: Resident of France, Art Center and lifelong car designer,
and design critic for Automobile Magazine. His car will be announced shortly.
Ed Pasini: Las Vegas resident and founder of the No-Frills Iron Bottom
Motoring Tour. Car to be announced.
John Clark: Santa Barbara collector will drive his 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
which will be featured at the Concours Italiano.
Ron Lee: Pasadena resident and well-known serious car collector. Car to
be announced.
Gary Wales: He’ll bring two spectacular l920s Rolls Royce motorcars.
Marshall Roath: Palm Springs resident and Art Center alumnus. Car to be
be announced.
Cory Youngberg: Newport Beach resident will drive a late l950s Lancia
Appia Berlina.
Stewart Reed: Director of the Transportation Design Department of
Art Center. Car to be announced.
Martin Swig: Sausalito resident and organizer of the California Mille
will choose between his Walter deSilva-designed Audi S5 or his
Giugiaro designed Subaru SVX.
Richard Messer: southern California collector and retired director of the Petersen
Auto Museum. Car to be announced.
The entry fee is $200 per car with a $1000 tax-deductible donation to Art Center’s Transportation Design Department’s scholarship fund. The drive is sponsored by Chubb Insurance.
For applications and further information go to our event page, or contact: Martin Swig, Amici americani della Mille Miglia at 145 Mitchell Boulevard, San Rafael, CA 94903, mswig@californiamille.com, or 415-479-9950.
The 2011 California Mille Goes the Extra Mile – and Then Some – For an Entrant
This year’s California Mille went north . But for Richard Mattei of Normandy Park, Washington, the big adventure was all to the south.
His drive started with a 1942 Alfa Romeo, then a 1957 Porsche 356, then a 1956 Austin-Healey – and ended with a ‘52 Jaguar XK120. In between it was semicontrolled chaos.
“I had a shop in Phoenix completely service my new Austin-Healey and deliver it to Burbank Airport, where I picked it up and headed north,” Richard says. “Almost immediately I noticed the clutch wasn’t right. I could barely get it in gear, and when I did, I couldn’t get it out. Eventually I limped the car to a hotel, and the following day headed north on 101, and then over to 280, to avoid the Friday afternoon traffic.
Highway 280 ends and becomes 19th Avenue in San Francisco just a few miles from the Fairmont Hotel. California Street was packed with traffic, and signals stopped commuters and expecially buses at every block. All stopped – except Richard who yelled to any who would listen: “GET OUT OF THE WAY. I CAN’T STOP!!!”
He made it to the Fairmont Hotel garage where the car quit completely. That night, Mark Ronfeldt worked on the clutch, and by the next morning everything was fixed. Everything – except for the clutch that failed again on a test drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. “Screw it,” said Richard who went to the North Beach Cafe for a dinner that night accepting the fact that the 2011 California Mille would leave without him.
But Plan B was forming. The Alfa wasn’t done in time. Neither was the ’57 Porsche, and now neither was the ‘56 Austin Healey. Maybe his ‘52 Jaguar could make the Mille.
“Who do you know who would go get my Jaguar in Phoenix?" asked Richard of Dan Radowicz, the organizer of the California Mille. "I’ll do it,” said Rick Hutchings, who contacted the Phoenix garage people, hopped in Richard’s truck, headed south, and met them outside of Bakersfield where Mattei’s Jaguar XK120 was waiting.
Then without missing a beat Rick turned around and sped north arriving back in San Francisco Sunday morning just before display time for the cars in front of the Fairmont.
Rick was none the worse for his all-night ordeal.. Richard was a nervous wreck, not knowing when or if he’d have a back up car. “The Jaguar performed beautifully. So did Rick Hutchings,” said Mattei. “The fun of the Mille is the unexpected. I didn’t expect a clutch problem – and I certainly didn’t expect the Mille crew to go the extra mile... or 700 miles – to get me a replacement car. That’s what I love about this event.”
What will Richard Mattei be driving for the 2012 Mille? I think I’ll drive my ‘45 Alfa 6C2500 SS – and make sure I have Rick Hutchings cell number handy just in case.”
21st annual California Mille salutes Italy’s most-famous
race with free Nob Hill car show and 1000-mile tour
70 Historic Race Cars on Display April 24 on Mason Street
The 21st annual running of the California Mille begins with a free preview atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill on Sunday, April 24, with some 70 historic race cars on display from 11 am to 6 pm. The following morning, the cars will depart at 8:30 AM for a four-day, 1000-mile back road adventure that will take them along little-known roads to time-capsule towns, challenging race tracks and a private auto collection.
The Mille (MILL-leh) honors Italy’s famed Mille Miglia (thousand mile) race that ran from Brescia to Rome to Brescia from 1927-1957. Only cars that could have qualified for the Italian event may participate in the California tour--not a race but a demanding drive.
The public is invited to see the cars and meet the drivers on April 24 when cars from Britain, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand and dozens of U.S. states will be displayed in front of the Fairmont Hotel on Mason Street between California and Sacramento Streets. At 2 PM, Mille organizer Martin Swig will greet auto fans with a presentation of dignitaries and a roving-microphone review of many of the cars being exhibited.
On Monday, April 25, the Mille will exit Mason Street through a special arch, turn right onto California Street and make its way to the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tamalpais, Bolinas, Olema, Petaluma entering the Infineon Raceway off Highway 37 for touring laps. The morning drive will conclude with a visit and lunch at a private collection of Mercedes-Benz considered to rival the factory’s own collection in Stuttgart, Germany. That afternoon, the Mille will cover some 50 miles of Highways 116, 121
and 29, end the day at Solage Calistoga.
Tuesday, April 26, will see the Mille heading to Geyserville, Lake Sonoma, Skaggs Springs Road, and Highway 1 wth a lunch stop at Little River Inn, a drive of just over 124 miles. The return trip to Solage Calistoga will take the Mille along Highway 128 toward Cloverdale, along Asti Road
and the Silverado Trail.
Day Three (April 27) will highlight a drive along the Silverado Trail to Winters, Esparto, Williams and Maxwell with a lunch stop and touring laps at Thunderill Race Track . Wednesday afternoon will see the California Mille driving Highway 162, 306, Danley Road, Freshwater, Highway 20 to Middledtown, and returning to Solage Calistoga for an overnight.
The final day of the thousand-mile drive will see the historic racers heading for Guerneville, Cazadero, Fort Ross Road, Meyer’s Grade Road, Highway 1, Bodega Bay, Chileno Valley Road to Wilson Hill Road, Hicks Valley Road, Nicasio Valleyl Road and a lunch stop at the colorful Rancho Nicasio. The Mille’s final 62 miles will take drive toward Fairfax, onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, to Bolinas Road to Ridgecrest Boulevard, and Mt. Tamalpais where a commemorative photo will be taken near Pantoll Road. The Mille will then continue down toward Mill Valley (renamed Mille Valley for the day), to Highway 1, l0l north and a final banquet and awards dinner at the Lodge at Sonoma.
For a list of particiapting cars, download the complete press release.
The California Mille is presented by Chopard Watches, Chubb Insurance, Bonhams auction house, The Fairmont Hotel, The Ironstone Foundation, British Motor Car Distributors, San Francisco Examiner, and KSFO-560.
New Year’s Day Anti-Football Drive Credited
with Moving Many Games to January 2
November 22, 2010
Twenty years ago, January 1st was the exclusive domain of football games on TV.
Then came the Anti-Football Drive -- older cars driven by even older drivers determined
to prove that there was more to life than stale beer, stale chips and the Parsely Bowl
on a 12-inch black and white TV set.
On January 1st, 2011, some 98 (possibly 99) cars at least 25 years of age will be displayed
on or about 777 Bridgeway, while drivers meet at Poggio Restaurant in Sausalito for
8 AM coffee, biscotti and snide remarks about football. To commemorate the event,
the Anti-Football Drive participants will don “ 1/1/11” sweat shirts, then depart at
9 AM for Petaluma -- the long, slow, scenic way.
“We’ll head north--the opposite direction from the Rose Bowl, the Gator Bowl and the
Fiesta Bowl -- to Highway l,” says organizer Martin Swig. “The Drive will cross Mt.
Tamalpais, head toward Bolinas and Olema, amble through Hicks Valley, and 66.9 miles
later, we’ll arrrive at the Petaluma Creamery for espresso and a much-anticipated plant
tour.”
The AntiFootball Drive will depart Petaluma via D Street, Nicasio Valley Road,
Lucas Valley Road, and 101 to Poggio Restaurant for lunch.
Is it true that the Anti-Football Drive forced many professional and college games to
move from January lst to January 2? “I think the evidence is clear,” says Swig. “When
we began New Year’s Day was synonymous with football played by obscure colleges
some place east of Oakland. Today -- especially in Marin -- the sound of cheering football
fans has been supplanted by the roar of unmuffled exhausts, mis-firing engines and the
intoxicating rhythm of out-of-round tires.”
20th Running of California Mille April 26-29 Free Car Show and Mille Preview Atop Nob Hill April 25
February 27, 2010
The Lost Coast--rediscovered. The l5th visit to Honeydew (population 73). The majesty
of the Avenue of the Giants. These are among the highlights of the 20th running of the
California Mille, America’s salute to Italy’s famed Mille Miglia (thousand mile) open
road race, scheduled for April 26-29, 2010.
Some 70 historic race cars that could have qualified for the original Italian event
(1927-1957) will arrive at San Francisco’s Nob Hill on Sunday, April 25, from
England, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, Colombia and Italy and a dozen American
states. A free car show will introduce cars and drivers to the public from 11 AM
until 5 PM. KSFO Radio’s popular KSFO Motoring show with Brian Douglas
will broacast from in front of the Fairmont Hotel from l0-11 AM.
Monday morning, April 26, the Mille cars will depart for California Highway 1 and
little-known back roads traversing Tomales, Point Arena, Boonville, Comptche, Glen
Ellen, Calistoga, Oakville, Ukiah, Honeydew, Ferndale, Mendocino and Nicasio.
TheMille will stop briefly in Mill Valley where Mayor Stephanie Molton-Peters will
rename the city (for the day) Mille Valley. The 20th anniversary drive concludes in
Sonoma on Thursday, April 29, with a free car show starting about 4 PM at the Lodge at
Sonoma on Broadway at Leveroni and Napa Roads.
The California Mille was conceived after organizer Martin Swig drove the revived
Mille Miglia from Brescia to Rome to Brescia in l982. “Being a part of this historic event
got my motoring juices flowing,†said Swig, who persuaded the Italian Mille organizers
to authorize an American version of their drive---not as a race but as a fast tour.
“Northern California looks more Italian that Italy,†says Swig, “and it didn’t take much
thought to realize that our state was perfect for the re-creation of a great motoring
event.†Others clearly felt the same. When news of the California Mille reached drivers
of older Alfas, beautiful Bentleys of the past, and historic Lancias, Jaguars and
Mercedes-Benz, more than 50 signed up for the inaugural California Mille drive.
Since then, “auto season†has been official launched each Spring with a Mille drive
heading north or south from San Francisco with the objective of discovering littleknown
roads, time-capsule towns, and the best dining available. The 2010, 20th
anniversary Mille will be no different. “We’ll be re-visiting areas that have been
favorites with our drivers over the years--the fantastic Lost Coast (called “California’s
least-developed coast lineâ€), Honeydew (where the same bearded old-timers seem to
snooze on the same bench in front of the Honeydew Country Store on Mattole Road,
and the Avenue of the Giants with redwoods even older than our cars,†said Swig.
A video first seen on some one hundred PBS-TV can be accessed along with other
information on: www.californiamille.com.
Cars that will be participating in the 2010 drive include:
A detailed road plan and day-by-day itinerary will be announced shortly.
The 20th Anniversary of the California Mille is presented by Chopard Watches,
The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, The Wines of Lodi, Haute Living Magazine, The Nob
Hill Gazette, British Motors, Sports Car Market Magazine, KSFO-560 , and The San
Francisco Examiner.
(Possibly) 20th Annual Anti-Football Drive Scheduled for January 1, 2010, Marin Tour Hundreds Say “No” to College Games on TV
November 13, 2009
In an era when everyone feels an obligation to speak out against oppressive cultural pressures, several hundred drivers will take a stand against college football games airing on TV on January 1, 2010 !
For what may be the 20th (or 19th or 21st) annual Anti-Football Drive, owners of “interesting” cars at least 25 years of age or older will meet at Poggio Restaurant in Sausalito at 8:00 AM on New Year’s Day. After coffee and biscotti, the Anti-Football Drive will depart--returning at noon for lunch at the restaurant.
“This will be a peaceful demonstration of our basic convictions, “said auto community organizer Martin Swig. “There will be no angry signs, no verbal abuse of the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl or Outback Bowl, no snide remarks designed to inflame sports fans.
We will simply take a 113-mile drive through the back roads of Marin County confident that fresh air and a healthy respect for the open road beat the sedentary life of the average TV football fan -- and may, in fact, be the answer to the health care controversy (including the public option).”
The four members of the Swig family--wife Esta, sons David and Howard and Martin -- will each drive historic Alfa Romeos, in what some believe to be a sub-statement on contemporary values. “Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 100th anniversary as we celebrate our 20th (or l9th or 21st), “said Swig. “One of our Alfas is 81 years old and is bereft of smog devices, catalytic converters, disc brakes and a video back up monitor. Yet, it continues to out-perform hybrids, flex fuel vehicles and so-called green cars. We believe peace and prosperty can result from a return to drum brakes and the values represented by these cars.”
The public is invited to see the Anti-Football Drive cars and meet the drivers across from the Poggio Restaurant at 777 Bridgeway, Sausalito.
***
For information on the road: Martin Swig, 415-990-9992
For press information: Ron Wren 415-433-1040
Press is Pro Anti-Football Run
Read articles in the Marin Independant Journal, MarinScope and in the San Francisco Chronicle (Don't miss the hilarious comments at the bottom of the article from Chronicle readers who read the Anti-Football story!)
CHOPARD TO SPONSOR
20TH ANNIVERSARY RUNNING OF THE CALIFORNIA MILLE
November 5, 2009
Chopard Watches of Switzerland will be the prime sponsor of the 20th running of the California Mille, scheduled for April 25-29, 2010, Martin Swig, Mille organizer, and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele of Chopard, announced today.
A major sponsor of Italy’s famed Mille Miglia and other high-line motoring events, Chopard joined the California Mille in 2009 as the presenting sponsor. “It was an incredible experience that we just had to repeat, “said Marc Hruschka, President and CEO of Chopard USA. “Historic race cars, dedicated drivers from around the world and individuals with an acute appreciation of fine machinery--whether under the hood of an Alfa Romeo or behind the face of a Chopard watch; a passion for extreme precision and sporting elegance link the two.”
The 20th anniversary drive will feature a number of important milestones. “In addition to the thousand-mile, four-day Mille event over northern California back roads, we’ll be saluting Alfa Romeo’s l00th anniversary, “ said Swig. “Typically, our Mille will draw a dozen or so Alfas. Next year, we’re expecting perhaps twice as many--- including a special surprise or two from the Alfa Romeo factory and museum in Arese, Italy. Add to that the fact that Chopard will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and I think we can agree that 2010 is the year to celebrate the Mille, Alfa Romeo and Chopard.”
In 1928 Alfa took first place in the Mille Miglia’s second year. “We’ll honor that ‘first’ with two ‘seconds’ of our own: Karl-Friedrich, the second generation of the Scheufele family (owners of Chopard), has been invited to co-drive a 1928 Alfa Romeo 6c 1500 Sport Zagato Spider with my son, David, the second generation heir to the California Mille. If that’s not a memorable ‘first’ I don’t know what is,” said Swig. Plans call for the California Mille to depart San Francisco’s Nob Hill on Monday, April 25, overnight twice in Mendocino, and return to Sausalito on April 29 for a gala civic celebration and awards banquet.
In addition to Chopard, other sponsors include the Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, the Lodi Winegrape Commission and KSFO Radio.
***
For information on the road: Martin Swig, 415-990-9992
For press information: Ron Wren 415-433-1040
Route of the 2009 California Mille: Carmel Valley, Mt. Hamilton, Mariposa and More
March 11, 2009
The 19th annual California Mille will break new ground when some 70 historic
race cars depart San Francisco’s Nob Hill on Monday, April 27, for a thousand-mile
(mille) back roads adventure.
After a full-day, free car show on Mason Street between Sacramento and California
on April 26, the Mille will depart on April 27 at 8:30 AM for Highway 1, then to
Highway 130 for the winding route to the 4,360 summit of Mt. Hamilton, home of the
University of California’s Lick Observatory. After a brief stop to take in the view of
Silicon Valley, the Mille will descend the eastern slope of the mountain driving through
Patterson, across Pacheco Pass and ending Day One at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley.
Day Two will see the the Mille drive west south on Highway 1, lunch in Cambria near
Hearst Castle, then return on Highway 1 to Quail Lodge for
an overnight.
Day Three will be a motoring marathon: from Quail Lodge over the l,300 foot Pacheco
Pass in the Diablo Range to Gustine, through the gold country to Mariposa for a catered
lunch at the Fairgrounds, then up historic Highway 49 to Jackson, ending the drive
at Le Rivage, a new luxury hotel on the Sacramento River in Sacramento. That evening
the Mille will take a charter boat trip to Old Sacramento, tasting the fine wines of Lodi
along the way.
Day Four will conclude the Mille’s salute to Italy’s Mille Miglia (thousand mile)
with a drive from Sacramento along Sacramento River levee roads through Rio Vista,
briefly on Highway 80 to connect with the Sonoma Highway to Sonoma., The Mille will
continue on Highway 116 to Petaluma and then enjoy lunch at Rancho Nicasio, across
the street from the Druid’s Hall and down the road from the Nicasio one-room school
house. After lunch, the final routing will take the California Mille up the picturesque
west side of Mt. Tamalpais, down through quaint Mill Valley (officially proclaimed for
the day Mille Valley) , arriving at the center of Sausalito in time for dinner at Poggio
Restaurant and accommodations at the Casa Madrone Hotel and Acqua Hotel in Mille
Valley. Cars of the California Mille will be on display the afternoon of April 30, and the
public is invited to meet the drivers and inspect the vehicles.
The California Mille draws its inspiration from Italy’s famed Mille Miglia that ran from
from Brescia to Rome to Brecia from 1927 to 1957. Cars that could have qualified for
the Mille Miglia--with a few notable exceptions--are invited to participate the annual
California event.
Chopard Watches of Switzerland is the Presenting Sponsor of the California Mille.
Other sponsors include the Fairmont Hotel; the Lodi Wine Growers; KSFO Radio;
British Motors Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley, Lamborghini and Lotus; Jesup & Lamont
Securities Corporation; and the Nob Hill Gazette.
***
For information on the road: Martin Swig, 415-990-9992
For press information: Ron Wren 415-433-1040
Mill Valley, California, renames itself Mille Valley
to honor 19th running of California Mille
February 19,2009
First, there was Hot Springs, New Mexico, that renamed itself Truth or Consequences
in the 1950s to meet a challenge offered by radio host Ralph Edwards.
Now, Mill Valley, California, at the foot of the Bay Area’s Mt. Tamalpais, will honor the
19th running of the California Mille by renaming itself Mille Valley.
Mayor Andrew Berman will greet the 75+ historic race cars of the California Mille on
April 30 with an official name change Proclamation. Mille drivers will be welcomed to
Mille Valley and invited to enjoy all that the town has to offer (largely redwood trees)
for the entire duration of the name change: one day.
California Mille organizer Martin Swig will receive the Proclamation on behalf of the
Mille, and present the Mayor with a variety of Mille pins, logo sweaters and trinkets
equal in value to the Proclamation.
The public is invited to meet the drivers and see their cars atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill
on April 26 at the largest free car show of its kind in the U.S. The Mille departs on April
27 for a four-day, one thousand mile (mille) back road adventure through northern
California, concluding with another free car show in Sausalito, California, on the shore
of San Francisco Bay, on April 30.
For further information: Ron Wren 4l5- 433- l040, ronwren@aol.com
Drivers say “Motoring Yes, Environment Yes, Football No!” 19th Annual Anti-Football tour departs Sausalito Jan. 1
December 3, 2008
Some fifty dedicated contrarions are set to reject conventions and living room couches,
when they take to the back roads of Marin County on January 1st to drive scenic back
roads instead of watching college football games on TV.
The 19th Annual Anti-Football Drive is expected to showcase a line-up of “interesting”
(at least 25 years old ) cars and somewhat interesting drivers who wouldn’t know the
Salad Bowl from a dish of fresh arugula.
“We have nothing against college football,” reveals organizer Martin Swig. “It’s simply
a matter of priorities--and, of course, protecting the environment. It’s true our older
cars spew a few hydrocarbons into the air but it’s nothing compared to the dangerous
emissions exhaled by hundreds of thousands of cheering football fans and scores of
players. We’re just doing what we can to save the planet.”
In clarifying his environmental message, Swig quoted Chris Goodall in his book, How to
Live a Low-Carbon Life. “It makes more sense to drive than walk, if walking means you
need to eat more to replace the energy lost.” If you walk 1.5 miles, Mr. Goodall
calculates, and replace those calories by drinking about a cup of milk, the greenhouse
emissions connected with that milk (like methane from the dairy farm and carbon
dioxide from the delivery truck) are just about equal to the emissions from a typical car
making the same trip. And he’s just figuring walking, not running back and forth
on a football field!
“If I understand Mr. Goodall, our l25 mile drive--the equivalent of 1833 football fields
(NCAA rules)-- in an old Alfa Romeo, for example, is actually helping cool the planet, “
said Swig modestly.
Anti-Football participants will meet at Poggio restaurant at 777 Bridgeway in Sausalito
at 8 AM for coffee and a rousing environmental pep talk by Swig. At approximately
9 AM the tour will depart to to “the north”, rambling through back roads before
returning to Poggio for lunch at 12:30.
For press information: Ron Wren 4l5-433- l040.
On the road: Martin Swig 4l5-990-9992
19th Annual California Mille
to tourCoast, Delta and Gold Country
April 27-30, 2009 Nob Hill Salute to Italian Culture Precedes Mille April 25-26
October 1, 2008
Some 75 historic race cars – those that could have qualified for Italy’s famed Mille Miglia race – will take an entirely new route in 2009, traversing the majestic Pacific Coast, California’s legendary gold country and the picturesque Sacramento River Delta.
The Mille will depart San Francisco’s Nob Hill on April 27 on colorful back roads for two nights in Carmel Valley, one night in Sacramento’s newest river bank hotel, and a final night at Cavallo Point, beneath the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge. A day-by-day itinerary will be released soon.
Preceding the Mille’s departure will be a two-day festa Italiana in front
of the Fairmont Hotel, with a Dolce Vita day of Italian food, wine and culture
on April 25, and a free display of California Mille cars and Palo Alto Concours classics on April 26.
The California Mille salutes Italy’s Mille Miglia (thousand mile) race that
ran from Brescia to Rome to Brescia from 1927-1957. It is one of a series of nonprofit drives presented by Amici americani della Mille Miglia, headquartered
in San Rafael, California.
For further information: Martin Swig (415) 479-9950,
The 2008 Mille Autunno: The “No Freeway Route” from Pasadena to Sausalito
September 11, 2008
Reversing a dangerous speed-over-scenery, Highway 5-type trend, the 2008 Mille Autunno will focus on transiting California on colorful back roads instead of bland freeways when it departs Pasadena for Sausalito on October 23.
More than a dozen cars, the newest at least 36 years old, will defy current custom and take three times as long and travel twice as far as necessary in a quest to “really see California”, according to organizer Martin Swig.
“It’s no accomplishment to get from northern to southern California in a matter of hours with today’s super freeways, “said Swig. “The trick is to do the same thing without doing it on six lanes of concrete highlighted only by fast food restaurants and generic service stations.”
With most of the Mille Autunno (Autumn One Thousand) cars built before most of the freeways, the annual event will see California’s picturesque small towns and virtually unknown roads as they was meant to be seen: “As fast as these old crocks will go--short of blurring the scenery”, according to Swig.
The tour will depart the Langham-Huntington Hotel in Pasadena at 8:00 AM on October 23, via city streets and country roads that lead to Angeles Crest Highway, then to Palmdale, Gorman, Frazier Park, Taft (for lunch and a tour of the West Kern Oil Museum), McKittrick, Atascadero and Morro Bay. The first day--some 270 miles--will conclude at the Inn at Morro Bay for an overnight.
Day 2 will take the Mille Autunno to Cambria on Highway 1, Paso Robles, then north along Indian Valley Road to Highway 25 to Bitterwater, King City, Hunter-Liggett Military reservation, and over the coast range to Highway l , with an overnight scheduled for Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley.
Day 3 will see the historic auto tour heading to Greenfield, Mission Soledad, Chualar, Santa Nella, Gustine, Newman, Crows Landing, Patterson, up the east side of Mt. Hamilton (site of the University of California’s Lick Observatory), then to San Jose, Saratoga, along Skyline Boulevard to Half Moon Bay to San Francisco’s Great Highway and across the Golden Gate Bridge. The annual event will conclude with a dinner and overnight at the spectacular new Cavallo Point lodge at Ft. Baker, below the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
“We’ll have less than 40 miles of actual freeway during our 826-mile drive, “reveals Swig. “If there’s a more beautiful, more historic or longer way to get from Pasadena to Sausalito,”, he says, “ I don’t know it.”
Swig’s Amici americani della Mille Miglia produces the Mille Autunno, as well as the California Mille, the Anti-Football Drive on January 1st, and other events as the spirit moves him and his organization.
Applicants to any of these events may obtain further information by calling 415-479-9950
75 Historic Race Cars & 50 Palo Alto Concours Classics Highlight 18th Annual California Mille April 27
Free Car Show Atop Nob Hill Precedes 4-day, 1000-mile Back Roads Tour
April 2008
One of the largest assemblage of historic race cars in the 18 years of the California Mille will be on display atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill between Mason and California Streets on April 27 from 11 AM- 6 PM. In addition, some 50 Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance classics will be around Nob Hill’s Huntington Park as a preview of the Palo Alto show scheduled for June 22 at Stanford.
The California Mille (MILL-ay) salutes Italy’s famed Mille Miglia (thousand mile) race that ran from Brescia to Rome to Brescia from 1927-1957. Cars that could have qualified for the original event are eligible to apply for entry in the California Mille.
This year’s cars will include some l5 Jaguars, 11 Alfa Romeos, 9 Mercedes-Benz as well as such rarely seen and exotic makes as Talbot-Lago, Nash Healey, Allard, Aceca-Bristol, Hudson Hornet, Kurtis, Cisitalia, Cunningham, and Delahaye. Participants are expected from l5 U.S. states and six nations: Australia, Colombia, Switzerland, the U.K., Canada and the U.S. Three 2008 Mille entries completed last year’s Peking-to-Paris marathon.
On Monday, April 28, the Mille cars will line up on Mason St., with the oldest vehicle, a 1926 Bentley 6.5 litre from Switzerland, nearest the departure arch. At exactly 9:00 AM a giant Blancpain clock will strike the hour and the green, white and red Italian flag will wave the California Mille through the arch. The 1000-mile route will take the Mille west on California Street, into the Presidio, and across the Golden Gate Bridge, then northeast to Rio Vista, Walnut Grove and a lunch stop in Lodi., the heart of California’s wine industry.
The tour continues on Day 1 on Highway 88 through Jackson to Lake Tahoe and Incline Village for the night.
Day 2 will see the Mille passing through historic Grass Valley and Nevada City, then on to Yuba City and a lunch stop at Williams. That afternoon, the group will follow Highway 20 to Nice, Lucerne, Ukiah with dinner at the Little River Inn in Mendocino.
On Day 3, the Mille will depart at 9:00 AM for Fort Bragg and Westport, through the Avenue of the Giants to Honeydew and lunch at Curley’s restaurant in Victorian Ferndale. In the afternoon, the California Mille will drive to Rio Dell, onto Highway l01 to Leggett and a return to Mendocino for dinner and overnight with half the Mille group staying at the Little River Inn and the other half at the Mendocino Hotel.
Day 4 will conclude the thousand-mile adventure with a surprise. After departing the Little River Inn, the Mille will take Highway 101 to Pt. Arena, Gualala, Valley Ford, Pt. Reyes Station, with lunch scheduled at Rancho Nicasio. At 2:l5 PM, the Mille cars will take a loose parade formation for “the best road of the entire tour”: a drive along Ridgecrest Boulevard with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Mt. Tamalpais on the other. After a group photo atop “Tam”, the California Mille will drive toward Mill Valley and their ultimate and secret destination. According to organizer Martin Swig, “We’ll be the first guests at the most spectacular new lodge in the area...one that combines California history, stunning views and world class accommodations.”
That evening awards will be presented and special guests introduced at at a deluxe dinner at the new lodge.
The California Mille, a not-for-profit event presented by Amici americani della Mille Miglia, is one of series of motoring tours under the direction of Martin Swig, including The Anti-Football Drive on New Year’s Day (for car enthusiasts would would rather drive than watch football on TV) and The Mille Autunno, a fall drive from Los Angeles to Sausalito --on non-freeway roads only.
The Mille is sponsored by San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel, Blancpain Watches, the Lodi Wine Growers, British Motors Jaguar, KSFO 560 AM Radio, Symbolic Motor Car Company, the Nob Hill Gazette and UBS Switzerland.
The Cars of the 2008 California Mille
1926 Bentley 6.5/8 litre LeMans
1927 Bentley 3 litre
1928 Bentley 6.5 litre
1935 Ford Zephyr
1936 Delahaye 135 S
1938 BMW 328
1939 Jaguar SS-100
1940 Buick Roadmaster
1947 Cisitalia 202
1949 Jaguar XK-120
1949 Talbot-Lago T-26
1951 Siata Gran Sport
1952 Jaguar XK-120 fhc
1952 Cunningham C-3
1952 Jaguar XKC-type
1952 Aston Martin DB2 Roadster
1952 Siata Daina Gran Sport
1952 Hudson Hornet
1953 Allard K3
1953 Kurtis 500S
1953 Bristol 401
1953 Fiat 1100
1953 Jaguar XK-120
1953 Alfa Romeo 1900
1953 Studebaker
1954 Fiat 8V
1954 Fiat Nash Healey
1954 Jaguar XK-120 OTS
1954 Jaguar XK-120SE ots
1954 Porsche 356
1954 Jaguar XK-140 SE
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1955 Maserati 300S
1955 Ferrari 225S
1955 Porsche Speedster Carrera GT
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1955 Jaguar XK-D
1955 Jaguar XK-SS
1955 MG Magnette
1955 Austin-Healey 100M
1955 Jaguar XK-140MC
1955 Lancia Aurelia GT
1956 Jaguar XK 140MC
1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS
1957 Alfa Romeo 1900
1957 Lancia B20 Convertible
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
1957 AC Bristol
1957 AC Bristol
1957 Alfa Romeo 1900
1957 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
1957 Maserati
1957 Porsche Speedster
1957 Porsche 356
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1957 Jaguar XK-140
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1958 Alfa Romeo Guiletta Sprint
1958 Alfa Romeo Guiletta Spider
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1958 Lancia B24 Aurelia Spider
1959 Porsche 356
1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
1959 Lancia Appia
1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE
1960 Ferrari 250GTE
1960 Porsche Carrera
For information: Amici americani della Mille Miglia, 154 Mitchell Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94903
For general information: Martin Swig 415 479-9950.
18th ANNUAL “ANTI-FOOTBALL RUN” JAN. 1
Proof that a 40-yard drive from scrimmage is no match for a country drive in an old car
December 1, 2007
With some half a dozen Bowl games on television on January 1, it’s a good bet that most American will be glued to TVs. Not in Marin County. There, an expected l00 drivers and their passengers will have their eyes glued to back roads instead.
The 18th annual “Anti-Football Drive”, celebrated by owners of interesting cars at least 25 years old, is designed to prove that the aroma of beer and burgers can’t compare with the intoxicating smell of exhaust, that the excitement of a 40 -yard drive from scrimmage is nothing when put against a two-lane drive up Highway 1.
“In eighteen years, our drivers have learned nothing of the Rose Bowl (A retail flower shop?), the 49ers (those gold diggers?) or a touchdown (sexual harassment)”, reveals organizer Martin Swig. “And while they may be totally ignorant of football , they do know how to keep a ‘41 Buick moving mostly forward, nursing a ‘56 Alfa Romeo into a full 5,000 RPMs, or avoiding drum brake fading on a ‘39 Packard.”
The 18th annual Anti-Football Drive begins at Poggio restaurant ( 777 Bridgeway) in Sausalito at 8:00 AM for coffee and route directions for points north. Qualified cars are those that by general agreement would be called interesting .”
In a moment of quiet reflection and candor, Swig said, “We really have nothing against --is it called football? We’re simply making a statement that there’s more to life than a 70-inch HDTV with colorful images of people running into each other. Besides, football is dumb.”
The tour will start promptly at 9:00 AM--rain or shine--for a four-hour drive, concluding at Poggio for lunch and a car display.
The nonprofit event contributes nothing to charity, does not send kids to camp nor support an old drivers’ home. Says Swig, “Everything we take in goes out for the enjoyment of our participants--usually at a rate that exceeds income.”
For more information: Martin Swig 4l5 479-9950 or Ron Wren 4l5-433-1040.
8th (or 9th) Annual Double 500
to Challenge 24 Hours of LeMons
Rolling Wrecks Take to the Roads and Race Track
September 18, 2007
In what critics – and there are many – have dubbed the “greatest assemblage of rusted, dented and smoking iron” in the Western Hemisphere, the 8th (or maybe 9th) annual Double 500 will meet the 24 Hours of LeMons on October 19-20.
The “500 x 2”, as regular participants and junk dealers affectionately call it, challenges vehicles not worth more than $500 to complete – or at least start – an arduous 500 kilometers drive. Historic note: The event was originally to be 500 miles, but neither entrants nor their vehicles had the strength to drive that far, so it was recast as 500 kilometers saving cars and drivers some 150 miles of pain.
The 24 Hours of LeMons picks up the pieces, so to speak, and ups the ante requiring some of racing's most unlikely beaters to circle the Altamont Speedway until either drivers or cars give out. The team that completes the largest number of laps will be proclaimed the winners. Those that don’t will be proclaimed the losers.
Participants in the Double 500 will gather at Altamont on Friday, October 19, at 11 AM to taunt early arrivals for LeMons. Then, an estimated 50 rolling wrecks will depart for Murphys, California. “We feel quite confident that most of our entrants will complete the first phase of the drive – the down hill coast from the 1009-foot crest of Altamont to the I-5 intersection a few miles below,” said organizer Martin Swig.
In deference to the mechanical condition of the Double 500 cars, roads with no more than a 1 degree rise have been selected--wherever possible--to transit the meandering 250 Kms to Murphys. A festive dinner at the Murphys Hotel will celebrate the arrival of those who have completed the first half of the drive--followed by a minute of silence for those who did not.
The following morning, the Double 500 will depart for the Altamont Speedway arriving by noon--more or less-- in time to see the start of the 24 Hours of LeMons.
“The 500 x 2 drivers who wish can end our tour with a ceremonial spin around the track,” revealed Swig, “and demonstrate to the LeMons drivers that there’s more to competitive driving than speed, elegance, motoring provenance and overt silliness.”
California Mille to discover northern California
time capsule towns in 17th running April 30
Thousand mile, 4-day drive salutes historic Italian race
March 7, 2007
Some 65 historic race cars from five continents and 6 states will depart April 30 for the
17th running of the California Mille.
The California tour recalls Italy’s most famous road race, the Mille Miglia (thousand mile) that ran from 1927 to 1957 and is restricted to cars that could have qualified for the original event. Organizer Martin Swig reveals that the route is designed to capture the feel of the Italian race. “In designing our route, we look for colorful towns, little-known passes, interesting back roads and inns reminiscent of those in the Italian country side. Ours is not a race, but a brisk drive through the most memorable parts of northern California,”he added.
The 2007 version of the Mille will begin on April 29 with a day-long Preview atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, billed as the biggest free car show of its kind in America. New Audis, including the R-8 will be on display at the Fairmont Hotel, and will accompany the “racers” all week on the road.
The next morning, April 30, will see Alfa Romeos, Ferraris, Porsches, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benz, a ‘52 Cunningham C-3, a ‘36 Auburn and other well known and obscure marques from racing’s history roar west of California Street, bound for the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway 101. The 2007 California Mille will ascend the rugged road to Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, skirt the ridge line toward Fairfax, pass through Petaluma and arrive in Sonoma for lunch.
That afternoon, the tour will drive to Lake County, pass Hub Cap Ranch, and spend the night at the Vintage Inn in Yountville, where Blancpain Watches will host a dinner at Domaine Chandon.
On May 1st, the Mille will blur by Calistoga, Middletown, Lakeport, and Ukiah arriving in Mendocino in time for lunch. The tour continues on Highway 1 to Leggett with dinner at the historic Carson House in Eureka, the destination for the evening. Elapsed miles: 491.1.
On Day 3, the group will depart at 9 AM for Victorian Ferndale, flash by Petrolia, and make a brief stop at Honeydew where a plaque in front of the Post Office commemorates this regular stop by the Mille. The Avenue of the Giants is next, followed by lunch at Richardson Grove Park near the Benbow Inn, with overnight planned for the Little River Inn.
The final day of the 2007 California Mille will bring the racers to Pt. Arena, Anchor Bay, Gualala and Geyersville for lunch at the Clos de Bois Winery. That afternoon, the route will include a drive through Healdsburg, Oakville, Glen Ellen, and will conclude with a banquet and awards dinner at the Sonoma Mission Inn.
The public is invited to meet the drivers and see the cars along the way and enjoy an informal car show at each stop.
For further information: Martin Swig 415-479-9950
Press information: Ron Wren 415-433-1040
17th ANNUAL ANTI-FOOTBALL RUN
OUT TO PROVE REAL LIFE IS MORE FUN THAN 70” HDTV
They think the 49ers are the original gold diggers. That the Rose Bowl is a retail flower store. That a touchdown is something that could be cause for a sexual harassment suit. Or at least that what they profess...
They--are the anti-football drivers who will take to the back roads on January 1, 2007, ignorant of college football games on TV but knowing in every hair pin turn from Sausalito to Tomales and back.
The 17th annual Anti-Football Run begins at Poggio restaurant ( 777 Bridgeway) in Sausalito at 8:00 AM for coffee and route directions for points north.
Qualified cars are those that by general agreement would be called “interesting” and be at least 25 years old. “We’re looking for a few Alfas from the ‘50s, perhaps a 1941 Packard Super 8, and a handful of cars that recall happy memories and induce a few smiles,” says organizer Martin Swig. “We really have nothing against -- is it called football? We’re simply making a statement that there’s more to life than a 70-inch HDTV with colorful images of people running into each other.”
The tour will start promptly at 9:00 AM -- rain or shine -- for a four-hour drive, concluding at Poggio for lunch and a car display.
The nonprofit event contributes nothing to charity, does not send kids to camp nor support an old drivers’ home. Says Swig, “Everything we take in goes out for the enjoyment of our participants --usually at a rate that exceeds income.”
For more information:
Martin Swig 415-479-9950 or Ron Wren 415-433-1040.
17th Annual California Mille
to feature historic race cars from around the world
October 13, 2006
4-day, 1000-mile event begins April 29 with free Nob Hill show
More than 65 historic race cars will salute Italy’s famed Mille Miglia in the 17th running
of the California Mille April 29-May 3, 2007.
The four-day, 1000-mile event begins Sunday atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill with the largest free car show of its kind in north America. Historic Alfa Romeos, Porsches, Ferraris and Jaguars will be among vintage race cars that could have qualified for the famed Italian Mille Miglia (thousand mile) that ran from 1927-1957.
Cars will be lined up by year along both sides of Mason Street in front of the Fairmont Hotel from 11 AM-6 PM. The public is invited to meet the drivers and see the cars. In addition scores of classic luxury cars that could have graced the entrance to the Fairmont from its turn of the century beginning will be on display around Huntington Park, from California to Taylor to Sacramento Streets.
On Monday morning, April 30, the waving of Italy’s green, white and red flag at the Partenza (departure) arch will signal the beginning of the Mille, with cars driving west on California Street to the Golden Gate Bridge and north to Willows, Eureka, Little River and Sonoma, where the tour will end on Thursday with an awards banquet.
Two surprise entries will highlight the 2007 Mille, according to organizer Martin Swig. “We’ll see a 1931 Plymouth, 4-cylinder sedan, an exact replica of the one that set an endurance record in 1931 with a San Francisco-New York -San Francisco nonstop dash of 132 hours and 9 minutes, averaging 48 miles per hour. The famed Blue Train Bentley, that challenged and beat the Cannes -Calais Le Train Bleue, managed just 43 miles per hour over a much shorter route in 1931.
“In addition , the Mille will feature a 1953 Fiat 1100 sedan, like the Racer-for-the-Day, family-sedans that ran in the Mille Miglia,” revealed Swig. “These sporty little Fiats, with just 36 hp. and a top speed of 75 miles per hour, embodied Italian sports car breeding, and aced mountain curves and straight-aways with the best of them.”
Five California Mille entrants, which will be judged “best of the best”, will journey to southern California later in the year, to be placed on display at the Art Center College of Design hill campus in Pasadena. “This is an important first for the Mille,” said Swig, “and a very high honor.
Our winners will take their place alongside a handful of cars selected by the College as exemplifying extraordinary design qualities. In their behalf the California Mille will make a $5,000 donation to the College and become a Patron of this world-renowned design institution.”
For more information:
Martin Swig, organizer 415-479-9950
Ron Wren, press relations 415-433-1040
Some 15, maybe 17 (some think 18-20) junkyard rejects toured a torturous 500 kilometers September 30 -October 1 in the World Premiere of the two-day Double 500.
The event, scheduled to depart from Sausalito at 10:30, took to the road at 11:37 AM bound for Ft. Bragg. One Renault 16 entrant failed to make the start, the victim of a drive shaft that decided to self-destruct.
Highlighting the event was a Yugo racing team car, modified to include a roll bar which many felt was overly optimistic. Other cars included a VW that had suffered several serious fires but finished the event; a Mercedes that heralded the benefits of biodiesel fuel with carrots and celery attached to the outside of the vehicle; a 1981 Datsun that illustrated the problem of cars of that era with printed reviews covering its body; a Fiat X/19 that mysteriously disappeared during the event; and other unmemorable vehicles.
The Double 500 was welcomed (more or less) at the Super Eight Motel in downtown (sic) Ft. Bragg. After viewing the age and condition of local cars driving the town’s Main Street, organizer Martin Swig said, “ We could have quadrupled our participants by simply inviting many of Ft. Bragg’s drivers to join us.”
On October 1st, an award ceremony, conducted by Jay Lamm in a parking lot reserved for Double 500 cars--kept well away from the Sausalito Classic C ar Show vehicles--honored the following:
BEST IN SHOW
The Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. Grand Prize for Environmental and Aesthetic Devastation
VW Beetle
MEL GIBSON MEMORIAL CORKSCREW AWARD Yugo
ISADORE DUNCAN CUP Fiat X/19
I SAT ON MY ASS DRINKING COFFEE AT POGGIO ALL DAY AWARD Toyota Corolla GTS (that didn’t actually take the drive)
DONE WITH FLAIR FLARE AWARD Honda Civic Si
GENERAL MOTORS ASTRO-VENTILATION AWARD Buick Electra
MAGNETTI-MARELLI TROPHY FOR RAPID FAILURE AWARD Renault R16
MOST LIKELY TO GET THE FINGER FROM A PISSED OFF SOCCER MOMAWARD Mercedes-Benz W123 Diesel
NEVER ENDS AWARD Geo Metro
For further information: Ron Wren 4l5 - 433 - l040
or Martin Swig (on the road ) 4l5 - 990 - 9992
Entrants warned of disasters in 7th annual dreaded “Double 500” Sept. 30-Oct. 1
500 kilometers in a car not worth more than $500
The Bay Area’s salute to rolling wrecks and misguided artistic endeavors will take place over the weekend of September 30-October 1, when the seventh annual dreaded Double 500 roars to half life with the cry, “Gentlemen, start your clunkers!”
Some 50 cars rescued from junk yards and failed eBay sales are expected to assemble in front of Poggio Restaurant in Sausalito between 9 and 10
AM on Saturday, September 30, prior to attempting a 500-kilometer drive over North Coast back roads to Ft. Bragg--and yes, back!
Each driver may be asked to prove through documentation or --at the very least-- flimsy evidence that his vehicle has not cost more than $500. There are no minimum cost requirement in the Double 500 verbal by laws.
In addition to a hand-drawn route map, drivers will be provided with a Potential Disasters Work Sheet prepared by Conrad Stevenson, Official Support Technician, that includes hints on dealing with the mechanical problems most likely to be encountered.
Excerpts from the Work Sheet:
Under-inflated tires and Over-inflated egos. Positive thinking will not patch leaking tires with l50,000 miles on them. All vehicles must have four tires with measurable tread-- on at least one.
Tetanus Exposure Cars are apt to be well-rusted. Drivers are advised to get tetanus shots in advance of the event, and avoid touching anything made of metal.
Exhaust Exhaustion Drivers should be aware that leaking exhaust systems can be hazardous, and carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to a cheap drunk: headache, loss of orientation, red face, etc.
Smog Shmog It is a given that all entrants’ cars will not have passed a smog test in more than a decade. If smog police are noticed in a rear view mirror, consider accelerating (if possible) to lay down a “smoke screen” to obscure your exit path.
Rodent Damage Field mice, rats and wild birds are often attracted to older cars. Make a thorough search of likely nesting spots before beginning the event and call the SPCA if any are found.
Belts and hoses These optional original equipment items may leak or have been lost over the years. Don’t worry about it.
Bio Diesel It’s true that modern diesels can burn cooking oil, however Double 500 entrants are warned that their engines may not to perform to full capacity with kerosene, cleaning fluid or cheap wine in the gas tank.
Brakes Many drivers find them useful. Consider testing yours before putting your vehicle in motion. For safety, however, the old saw-- one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the brake--still applies.
Distress Signals Other drivers will be eager to assist you when a breakdown occurs. Remember: the International Distress Sign is the extension of five fingers, not just the middle one.
Speed Kills Try to reach minimum speed limits where posted.
At precisely 10:00 AM (or maybe 10:30 AM), those vehicles that are able to start will leave Sausalito’s Poggio Restaurant bound for Fort Bragg by way of Highway 1. According to organizer Martin Swig, “Our rules are strict and may not be bent or manipulated unless untraceable payments are made to the Organizing Committee. For example, it is prohibited to have a participating vehicle towed over the entire Double 500 route. Further, in the interest of contributing to a clean environment, any parts that fall off of vehicles must be picked up--and not left beside the road.”
The public is invited to view the cars, meet the drivers and scoff at the concept in Ft. Bragg on September 30 at the Super 8 Motel, and in Sausalito on October 1 from 12-3 PM during the Sausalito Classic Car Show.
Sunday will see an award presentation when (and if) all cars return. Prizes will be for:
Most artistically decorated car with (or without) Brahma bull horns on the hood.
Completion of the event by a car not expected to have even started.
Car with an odometer in still working condition.
Car considered by the Judges as being a “real piece of junk.”
The Double 500, a nonprofit event, is one of a series of motoring activities presented by Martin Swig’s Amici americani della Mille Miglia, that includes the California Mille, the Anti-Football Run, the Mille Autunno and the Great San Francisco to Santa Monica Open Road Race.
For further information: Ron Wren 4l5 - 433 - l040
or Martin Swig (on the road ) 4l5 - 990 - 9992
