The origins of the myth
An old motto claims that fuel runs through the veins of the people of Brescia instead of blood.
This is an indication of the passion for engines inscribed in the DNA of this territory and its inhabitants since the end of the 19th century, when Brescia’s motoring tradition began.
From the first races to the Mille Miglia Cup
March 14, 1899 | Verona-Mantua-Brescia-Verona
A racing car made its first appearance in the territory of Brescia. A race won by Ettore Bugatti who, driving his Prinetti & Stucchi three-wheeler vehicle, ignited the passion for motor racing in Brescia.
September 10-11, 1899 | Brescia and the first races
The people of Brescia decided to organize a race of their own. On Sunday, September 10, Brescia held the first-ever “Speed Race”, a 6 km automobile race on the ring road of the city. On the following Monday, the Brescia- Mantua-Verona-Brescia 223 km race began.
September 5, 1904 | The Brescia Circuit
The Brescia Circuit was prepared along the roades of the Brescia-Cremona-Mantua-Brescia route for a total of 185 km to be repeated twice. The first race took place on the occasion of the Brescia Week, repeated on September 9, 1905 with the first Coppa Florio race.
September 4, 1921 | The 1st Italian Grand Prix
Thanks to Arturo Mercanti, the city of Brescia had the possibility of organizing the Italian Grand Prix, included among the events of the International Automotive-Air Circuit. In addition to the “Chilometro Lanciato” and other races for the minor categories, the attention was focused on the new Brescia Circuit, known as the “Circuito della Fascia d’Oro” name of the town of Montichiari, that on September 4 kicked off the firts Italian Grand Prix.
From the following year, the Italian Grand Prix would be transferred to the Monza Circuit, inaugurated in 1922.
November 14, 1926 | The founding of Brescia Automobile Club
After the Automobile Club was set up in 1906, Brescia Automobile Club was officially founded under the new rules of the Royal Automobile Club of Italy, officially instituted by the law-decree of November 14, 1926 with the introduction of the Public Register of Motor Vehicles.
January 18, 1927 | The organization for the first Mille Miglia Cup
Thanks to the intuition of the four founders Franco Mazzotti, Aymo Maggi, Giovanni Canestrini and Renzo Castagneto, the Mille Miglia Cup came to life. The opening of the headquarters in Corso Magenta in Brescia, marked the start to the organization of the first Mille Miglia Cup.
Brescia Automobile Club: a partnership of passion and sport
Circuito di Brescia, Circuito del Garda, Brescia-Edolo-Ponte di Legno, Colle S. Eusebio, Trofeo Lumezzane and Cronoscalata del Monte Maddalena: these are just some of the races organized by ACI Brescia, which continued the direction set by Renzo Castagneto.
A rich heritage, through which Brescia Automobile Club preserves Brescia’s motor tradition and its sports, cultural and human heritage.
