1000 Miglia Experience: On the diidian end but known for its glitz and glamour the sunny winter morning was Dubai on its best this morning with the return of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE. Walking into the Emirates Golf Club was a sight any automotive enthusiast kill to be able to see.
My eyes bounced around, like ping-pong balls, unsure where to focus first. At the Sotheby’s auction floor, millions of dollars’ worth of cars were strewn about the lawns like spare change. I was in automotive heaven. There were Ferraris, McLarens, Aston Martins, Pagani Zondas – all of them. One caught my attention: the gorgeous Jaguar XKE — the most beautiful car in the world, according to Enzo Ferrari. The scene was crowded with admirers, the windows flashing with the clicks of cameras, and the townspeople with jaws agape.
Fuerther into the golf course, I was whisked back in time the another gorgeous selection of cars. It was here that the participants in the 1000 Miglia showcased a wealth of classic and vintage vehicles. The range was overwhelming: Mercedes 300 SL Gullwings, Porsche Carreras, Ferraris and Lamborghinis. I had my personal favourites too – the 1928 Le Mans Bentley, the 1938 Le Mans Lagonda, the Ferrari 288 GTO and of course the car I would eventually beDriving the iconic Lincoln Continental owned by noted car collector Yohan Poonawalla – this a particularly special car thanks to its interesting back story.
This Lincoln was initially imported for the Pope’s India visit and later donated to Mother Teresa, who auctioned it for charity. The car remained regal in its original white livery, red seats and fluttering flags. There was an added bonus, that I’d be driving alongside India’s first F1 driver, Narain Karthikeyan. It was a little intimidating, though, to pilot a rally that’s all about managing your pace — especially because I was competing agains a pro rally driver. But I’m getting ahead of myself — the rally itself.
The participation from India at 2024’s 1000 Miglia Experience UAE, with people flying in from around the world, proved robust. There were five teams. Yohan brought two cars to the event, the Lincoln Continental Narain and I were in, and a beautiful red 1974 Jaguar E-Type Roadster which he drove himself—this was the third consecutive year he attended. Other Indian participants included Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee, the eldigserial мониторерks, vintage carie, and autos road from a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9, Arshad Jasdanwalla and Shapur Kotwal with a Porsche 911 Carrera S 997, and two auto journalists, Hani Mustafa and Sudeep Koshy. There would be stiff competition with 85 other cars at the rally, but this contingent had a friendly side bet.
The Mille Miglia was a legendary 1,000-mile endurance rally held through Italy from the 1920s until the 1950s; in the years that followed, it evolved into one of the most prestigious vintage and classic-car events, even with editions outside Italy, like this one in the UAE. This idyllic amalgamation of car heritage and recent excess was on fine display on Day 1 at the Emirates Golf Club.