The historic 1000 Miglia has taken an unexpected step toward the future without abandoning its heritage. The 2026 edition became the setting for the 1000 Miglia Gran Turismo Experience, an initiative created through a collaboration between Polyphony Digital and the organizers of the Italian event that allowed sports cars built after 1957 to participate officially for the first time.
The result was a landmark occasion that brought classic motorsport and digital simulation together. Among the main protagonists were Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the Gran Turismo series, and Mikail Hizal, a world champion in sim racing, who tackled the nearly 2,000-kilometer Italian route in a 1993 Toyota Supra A80.
Rather than serving as a simple exhibition, the event once again highlighted the enormous demands of the Mille Miglia. Unlike a conventional race, the objective is not to be the fastest, but to maintain the precise average speeds established by the organizers throughout the various regularity stages.
Before the start, Yamauchi had already warned that “this is not a parade,” a statement fully justified by five demanding days of driving, open traffic, narrow roads and the constant pressure of meeting every timing reference.
For Hizal, who is accustomed to the controlled precision of racing simulators, the experience presented an entirely different challenge. The combination of navigation, real-world traffic and strict timing turned the event into a serious test of concentration, adaptability and teamwork.
Toyota’s involvement extended far beyond the Supra. The Japanese manufacturer entered a collection of vehicles representing six decades of automotive development: the Toyopet Crown RS, Toyota Sports 800, legendary Toyota 2000GT, Supra A80 and exclusive Lexus LFA.
The lineup demonstrated how the company’s sporting philosophy has evolved from its early postwar models to some of the most recognizable performance cars of the modern era. Success also came in the final standings. The Toyota 2000GT, driven by Ryotaro Shimizu and Jari-Matti Latvala, claimed victory in the 1000 Miglia Gran Turismo Experience category. The Sports 800 finished second, while the Lexus LFA completed an all-Toyota podium.
I’ve successfully completed the Mille Miglia.
Five days, around 2,000 km, 60 hours of driving, and tens of thousands of different corners and road surfaces.
The history of motor racing began with road races, and the Mille Miglia is a unique event that brings those origins to… pic.twitter.com/lnbGKkog9w— 山内 一典 / Kaz Yamauchi (@Kaz_Yamauchi) June 14, 2026
Yamauchi’s presence at the Mille Miglia reflects the philosophy that has guided Gran Turismo for almost three decades: introducing automotive culture to new generations while preserving its historical legacy.
The new video documenting the event captures that connection between two worlds that once appeared separate. From the historic roads around Brescia to Rome, with stops through Pisa, Siena and Tuscany, the journey demonstrates that the passion for driving can transcend generations, technologies and formats.
The 1000 Miglia Gran Turismo Experience proves that tradition and innovation can coexist, offering a fresh perspective on one of the world’s most iconic motoring events while strengthening Gran Turismo’s role as a link between automotive heritage and the future of performance driving.
You can purchase Gran Turismo 7 by clicking here for the PS4 version and here for the PlayStation 5 Pro and PS4 versions. Additionally, there’s the 25th Anniversary Edition available for PS5 and PS4.
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
