Emirates to host 'Mille Miglia' style classic car road race in December

The UAE announces a new 1,000km cross-country road race for December 2013 that will encompass all seven emirates in five days and not focus on speed.

The UAE's version of Italy's Mille Miglia hope to attract personalities such as Stirling Moss, with British motor sports writer Denis Jenkinson beside him, and classic road-going racers such as thesilver Mercedes-Benz roadster Moss drove to victory in the 1955 edition the famous Italian rally.
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DUBAI // The UAE will host its own version of Italy's world-renowned Mille Miglia classic car road race this December when 150 vehicles compete in a five-day cross-country contest that weaves through each of the seven emirates.

The Ageless Mythical Cars Tour 2013 will start inside Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit before embarking on a 1,000km journey that will incorporate stages in Al Ain and Dibba as well as making a final stop at the foot of Burj Khalifa in downtown Dubai before heading back to the capital.

The event, which will run from December 9 to 13, will be open to cars manufactured in or before 1970 and will be contested by celebrities, prominent international figures and classic car collectors from around the world, organisers said.

Participation is by invitation only and, according to Claudio Barro, the operations directors for DM Cube, "the selection will be made by those who understand the ins and outs of these cars, thereby ensuring quality in the selection process".

The race, which will take place on public roads, does not focus on speed but rather averaging specific times on a predetermined route, earning itself the moniker of Time Speed Distance Rallying.

Manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Ferrari, Jaguar and Porsche are expected to feature.

"We are used to seeing the fastest cars on our track, and it will be a novelty to see such a different take on speed and record times," said Richard Cregan, the CEO of Yas Marina.

"Certainly, the juxtaposition of classic cars on one of the most advanced circuits in the world will be something not to be missed."

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