BRESCIA, Italy � Fiat has signed on as a sponsor and is entering the Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo brands in Mille Miglia 2008, a re-enactment of the famous rally once dubbed the "finest race in the world" by Enzo Ferrari.
The official Fiat team is made up of Giuliano Bensi and Paolo Monferino driving an ancient 1954 Fiat 8V equipped with a 2.0-liter V8 and independent suspension. Lancia is represented by Mario Rigotti and Alfredo Altavilla, CEO of Fiat Powertrain, riding in a 1957 Aurelia Gran Turismo B20. The Alfa Romeo team is captained by Luciano Viario in an Alfa Romeo 6C1500 SS, similar to the Alfa that won 11 Mille Miglia trophies.
"The most prestigious traveling museum in the world," will be comprised of 371 teams, among them a gorgeous limited-edition Alfa 8C Spider derived from the Alfa 8C Competizione. A total of 11 Alfa Spider Mille Miglia cars will be available for hire, all outfitted with an exclusive Rosso 8C body color, special black leather interiors with red trim and 260-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engines.
A brand-new Lancia Delta will join the ranks of these historic vehicles as part of the festivities accompanying its official June release date. A procession of new Fiat 500s will precede the historic vehicles at various points in the event.
The Mille Miglia Storica will leave Brescia on May 15 and return to the same city two days later, after crossing Italy and passing through many of the country's most famous historic cities.
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