Lecture on 17 August: the grand tour of a small British race car

Louwman Museum lecture on 17 August at 3:00 PM by Velja Mijatovic & Rob Janzen.

How big must the ambition be to compete in the greatest road race of all time with a small British race car?

In this lecture you are taken back to 1931, the year in which a small Austin, driven by an inexperienced 21 year old Englishman, Charles Goodacre, bravely competes in the Mille Miglia of Mussolinis Italy. The Austin and its driver go up against big names such as Nuvolari, Campari and Varzi, who dominate the field in powerful Alfas, Maseratis and Bugattis. However, the small, fast Austin manages to put up a fierce fight in the race and makes a deep impression with its performance. Even on Enzo Ferrari! In this lecture you witness a grand adventure on challenging, dangerous gravel roads, where driving skill is essential. A race you had to finish if you wanted to count, but above all a race where winning brought you eternal fame. We also reflect on the dark side of the Mille Miglia: how this race was used as a propaganda tool by the fascist regime led by Mussolini, intended to demonstrate superiority to the world.

This story shows us how far a small and fragile racing car could get in the legendary Italian 1000 miles, competing against Teutonic and Romance thoroughbreds. We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday 17 August at the Louwman Museum. The lecture will start at 3:00 p.m. The hall will open from 2:45 p.m.