An Italian DramaThe Battle to Run the Historic Mille Miglia, Aug. 2006
The classic car world was shocked by the news last May that the Automobile Club (AC) of Brescia, owners of the Mille Miglia trademark, had revoked the licence held for over two decades by Costantino Franchi’s event organizing group Marva srl and had instead appointed a relative newcomer, Genova based Mac Events srl, to take over the running of the world’s best known classic car rally for the next five years.
Frantic negotiations had preceded this announcement following the AC’s decision to hold a tender before renewing Marva’s contract. Potential suitors were required to submit a detailed information pack together with logistic and financial proposals, to include an annual licencing fee of at least €180,000. Only two firms eventually bid for the contract, Marva and Mac Events, foreigners being apparently discouraged by the bureaucracy and potential complication of organizing such a major event on Italian soil. Few expected a serious challenge to Dr Franchi’s control of the Mille Miglia, which has flourished under his stewardship with a record number of entrants from around the world and lucrative sponsorship deals with firms such as Chopard, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Although a decision was expected shortly before the start of this year’s race, it was not until after the last car had crossed the finishing line that the surprise announcement was made, awarding the right to stage the Mille Miglia from 2007-2011 to Mac Events following a knockout financial bid which doubled Marva’s €525,000 offer. Many industry insiders wondered if the new firm would preserve the character of the race and whether it would be necessary to raise the entry fee or the number of cars allowed to participate, not difficult considering that each year over 800 applications are received for some 370 spaces.
Typically, however, it did not end there and after much recrimination last week the AC announced that they had revoked their earlier decision and would be renewing their agreement with Marva. Unsurprisingly Mac Events cried foul and a court date later this week has been fixed to settle their differences and to decide, once and for all, who will be in charge of the event with the precious red arrow logo for the next five years. Then again, the Italian legal system is not often cited as a model of speed and efficiency. Stay tuned…
(Illustration:
Costantino Franchi - Current Organizer of the Mille Miglia)