Tag Italy

Italy’s Mille Miglia 2015

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2015 Cars on display around town.

Last year, I came across Jay Leno’s Garage 2014 youtube video on his participation in Italy’s yearly Mille Miglia vintage car race. First of all, Jay Leno has a great sense of humor, we know he loves cars and then put him in Italy and you want to join the fun!

Map of Race Route

Map of Race Route

So, this year, I came to Brescia, May 14-17, 2015 where the Mille Miglia race starts. There are approximately 430 vintage car owners from around the world who gather here every year to enter the race. It’s a spectacular event to behold. Just look at the cars I am seeing. Really beautiful!

Photographers and journalists are everywhere. The road race starts in Brescia goes to Rome and then back to Brescia. You can view a map of the race. It’s a tough race, especially for those coming from abroad who are not familiar with the small and winding roads of Italy. Normally, an Italian wins the race, but maybe a foreigner will surprise us this year.

Wednesday the Italian Military had an Air Show, similar to our Blue Angles Air Show in the U.S., in honor of the Mille Miglia. Many of the vintage cars were on display at the air field. There were about 7,000 people viewing the show.

2015 Cars on display.

2015 Cars on display.

Around Brescia, the media was setting up, cars were being driven in to be put on display, people were at cafes, walking, taking picture – having fun!

If you are ever in Italy on vacation at this time, you will enjoy seeing the race.

Whether you are in Brescia for the start or end of the race OR you see the cars driving through one of the towns, you’ll share in the excitement for sure!

Calling ALL Inventors

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I was first introduced to the TechShop (www.techshop.ws) by Bret Jacoby. I met him at the manufacturing company where I worked.

Bret's Grill Tender

Bret’s Grill Tender

Bret was in the process of building a prototype charcoal barbeque grill that used a built in computer to control the temperature, so he could smoke meats. The smoked meats were delicious. I wanted to learn more.

I was helping Bret order the interior grills from China, that’s how I got involved. Through Alibaba we found three companies who made grills. I wrote asking for prices and samples.

Bret took me down to TechShop San Jose. This place was an inventor’s dream shop. The employees were so helpful. Even more interesting were the people. The folks who were making projects were so friendly and ready to show me “how” to use various machines and tools (i.e. woodworking, laser, welding, sheet metal, plastics, machining, fabrication, automotive, industrial sewing machines, sand blaster, vinyl cutter, etc.).

Techshop Cello Inventor

Luciano’s Bass Instrument

There was such camaraderie at the TechShop that you could learn from others. Take a look at Luciano Golia’s cello project in Detroit. Golia had immigrated from Italy and was looking for a place to build his artisanal cellos to continue his 24 year old business. Do you see? You get inspired by other people’s projects.

The TechShop was founded by Jim Newton and first opened in California. Now, they have expanded to Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Texas.

For fun, I wanted to make a leather bag. I used their industrial sewing machines. Was it photo worthy? Not this time, remember, I am a beginner, but I tried and plan to go again.

How about YOU?  What project do you have? Take it to the TechShop, they will teach you how to do it!