The second edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience Italy ended in the picturesque setting of Piazza Maria lmmacolata in Taranto. The crews crossed the finish line in the City of the Two Seas after three intense days of racing, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd that celebrated the passage of the 54 crews through the heart of Puglia.
After covering over 630 kilometres entirely within the Puglia region, through iconic landscapes and technically demanding challenges, including 63 Time Trials and 6 Average Trials, it was Matteo Loiudice and Beatrice Mora who claimed victory in the classic cars category in their 1954 Porsche 356 Pre A. In the modern category, the winning crew was Gianluigi and Federico Smussi in a 2004 MG TFwith 545 penalty points.
Completing the podium for the classic cars were Girardi-Mastellini in a Porsche 356 Pre A in second place and Gessler-Gessler in a Lancia Fulvia Sport 1600 in third. As for the modern cars, Vergamini-Bertolucci took second place in a Ferrari SF90 Spider, followed by Macario-Di Costanzo, also in a Ferrari, but a 488 Pista.
THE STORY
The event kicked off on Thursday in Bari, where bright sunshine bathed the seafront, providing a unique setting of light for the start. After completing the first technical challenges, the participants immersed themselves in the magic of the Trulli of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before concluding the leg amongst the cliffs overlooking the sea in Polignano, with a breathtaking aperitif facing the famous Lama Monachile.
On Friday, the convoy set off for Sa lento. From the "Citta Bianca" of Ostuni to lunch at the Castello Svevo in Brindisi - the venue for the G7 in 2024 - the route combined prestige with sporting commitment. The day drew to a close in Lecce, where the local Baroque architecture provided the backdrop for the Salento Trophy - J.P. Morgan, the thrilling 1-on-1 challenge won by Fabio Vergamini and Maurizia Bertolucci in a Ferrari SF90 Spider.
The final leg, the longest at over 280 kilometres, was a true tribute to the diversity of the region. Setting off from Lecce, the crews passed through the archaic charm of Marta no, amidst dolmens and menhirs, before reaching Otranto. Here, the Experience offered a moment of rare beauty before the descent towards Santa Maria di Leuca. At the Finibus Terroe shrine, where the land gives way to the meeting of the two seas, the engines caught their breath for the final climb towards the finish line, passing through the Pista Salentina in Ugento and the splendid Gallipoli.
The grand finale in Taranto marked the success of a format that continues to set the standard for Italian Style. The 1000 Miglia Experience Italy 2026 was not just a race, but a journey through history and beauty.
