The 23rd edition of the 1000 Millas Sport Argentina took place this month; the most important event in the South American historic regularity racing calendar, it is an event that is growing in international stature as it brings the thrills of "Mille Miglia" legend cars to the region. It is the glittering jewel of the Argentine Sport Motor Vehicles Historic Regularity Championship.

This international event was created by the Sport Automobiles Club of Argentina (CAS), and is now part of the FIVA (International Federation of Ancient Motor Vehicles) world calendar. It gathers annually the lovers of classic cars, featuring FIVA Sport vehicles manufactured between 1920 and 1982, grouped as follows: Sport, Grand Touring and Touring – approved by FIVA – which will travel over a distance 1000 km around the Patagonia lakes, valleys and mountains, fighting for the first position in teams, divided into competitions by brand, capacity, ladies, journalists, personalities, newcomers, and habitués awards.

The Mil Millas is an occasion where friendship is more important than competition, and where the main interest is the enthusiasm of driving these historic vehicles in a fascinating environment among more than a hundred participants. It also means the possibility of standing by the road to hear the sound of a roaring Ferrari, to appreciate the avant garde technology of an Alfa Romeo from the twenties, the exquisite presence of a Mercedes from the fifties, the delicate parts of a Bugatti 35, the soft and elegant lines of the Jaguars or a powerful Gran Turismo from the sixties or seventies.
 

Spectators were also be able to enjoy the performance of the glorious National Sports Prototypes from the late sixties and early seventies, as the Liebres, the Baufers or a Huayra, or even those baquet Studebacker, Gardner or Packard from the twenties. This year as well as in past years, the 1000 Millas took place in the Patagonia. The roadmap for 2006 included cities and towns such as San Carlos de Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, Villa la Angostura, Junín de los Andes, Circuito Chico, Villa Catedral, El Bolsón, and the Puyehue Hot Springs, in Chile. The impressive Llao Llao – Hotel & Resort – was the start and finish for each stage. At the end of each day, the drivers and their cars rested there.

The 2006 edition was won by Juan Tonconogy, driving a 1956 Austin Healey 100/4 M, with the best Italian racing machine finishing in second place: a 1934 Maserati 4CS 1100 driven by Martín Súcari. Fourth overall went to another Italian car, a 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider with Rodolfo González at the wheel, who was placed just behind the third placed Ford Thunderbird of Don Segundo Sombra. Other notable Italian finishers included Leopoldo Boulin (Alfa Romeo GTV2000) in 15th; Alejandro Oneto Gaona (Maserati 3500 GT) in 19th; and Giullermo Acevedo (Fiat 1500 Coupé) in 23rd.