Chris Johnson’s father, John Johnson, began dreaming of co-driving the Mille Miglia with his son when Chris was a child. Now, Chris at 21-years of age with track experience was ready. John, however, no longer was. John had stage four colon cancer. A born fighter, John had lived ten-years beyond the doctor’s first dire predictions. He has also, now, lived beyond any benefit to be derived from traditional chemotherapy. He has moved on to new protocols. While the picture of health, John understands that he could not endure the physical demands of running Italy’s renowned Mille Miglia thousand mile challenge. Knowing this, he set out to find the man he would trust to take the co-driver seat with Chris. That man would be veteran Mille Miglia driver and restoration master Bruce Amster.

The following brings to life the five-day Italian backroad adventures of Bruce and Chris.

Mentor and Mentee Take on the Mille Miglia (Parte Uno)

Last year I enjoyed the good fortune of experiencing the excitement and living history of the Mille Miglia as a spectator. Amazingly, this year I was invited to be part of a four-man team campaigning a vintage car in the event. The car, a 1948 Fiat 1100 S featured a proud history of running and finishing the actual race in the 1950s. I soon came to learn how that respected Fiat would serve as the vehicle responsible for delivering a once in a lifetime driving experience for John’s son, Chris, and the fulfilling John’s long held dream to witness his son experience the Mille Miglia.

Our team’s first day in Brescia, the perennial launch point for the Mille Miglia, found us luxuriating on the grounds of the glorious Villa Fenarilo Palace Hotel. Originally an aristocratic 17^th century private estate, it now attracts those seeking a living-in-a-palace experience: Think of an Italian Baroque Downton Abbey. For our crew, it would clearly mark the high point as to the level of accommodations we would experience for the remainder of the event, by far.

Speaking of team, this would be as good a time as any to meet the crew led by Bruce. Bruce has legendary status as the consummate driver and car builder. To get a sense of his persona think of Obi-Wan Kenobi as a warm-hearted curmudgeon with a Boston accent. Should one look to cast an actor to play Bruce, think Tommy Lee Jones.

Jeff Krikau, a savvy player in the collectible car marketplace is Bruce’s business partner as well as my fellow support team member. An inveterate worrier, his predilection for spotting a dark lining in every silver cloud finds balance in his eager sense of humor.

Me? Well, if you have been a Drivin’ News reader for the past decade you have a sense of me. And finally there is Chris, whose qualities will reveal themselves over the coming days of driving the back roads of Italy.

The morning before race day found our team gathering to pick up the Fiat. Chris and I being first to the lobby sat outside the Palace Hotel watching the bustling activity. Like proud thoroughbred race horses disembarking before the Kentucky Derby, spectacular cars slowly eased out the back of immaculate white transporters. As drivers, technicians, crew and onlookers buzzed around the wide sun bleached gravel expanse enclosed by the Villa’s finely manicured greenery, I had the opportunity to speak at length with Chris.

Twenty-one years old and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado, Chris comes across as measured, forthright and quietly self assured. Unlike some characterizations of his generation, I find him to be a young man not a boy. Over the coming week I will enjoy our conversations.

When asked about his interest in classic cars Chris, laughing, says, “I really like cars. I think they’re cool. In particular I find vintage cars more meaningful. I think they have more of a soul than modern cars.” In particular the hands-on satisfaction that you get, when you can mechanically revive a classic car and make it continue to work the way it used to, I think is pretty incredible.”

When asked if he has always had an interest he says, “I’ve been around a racetrack for most of my life. As a kid my dad and I would go to Lime Rock Park in Connecticut for the Labor Day race weekends. I remember the cars were loud and we’d watch them go around and it was always a great time. It was then when I was younger that my dad got into racing. He did it as a bucket list thing after he got sick.”

In discussing his father’s illness Chris says, “At the age of 50 my dad got diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. At that point he wanted to do things with his life so that he wouldn’t end up regretting anything on his deathbed. That was ten years ago.” Chris continues on saying, “My family has been in a state of panic for those 10 years, which is a really strange feeling to express. It’s a miracle he’s still alive. It really is, but it’s due to his determination to be proactive about it. Some people get this disease and they kind of give up. I don’t blame them. I mean, faced with the reality of death? That can really do something to some people, but not my dad.”

When asked about his relationship with his father Chris says, “I think we got closer because of the illness. It’s hard to explain but I think because of the constant reality of, you know, the shortness of his life that I try to treasure my time with him. As a family it certainly makes us less prone to arguments. So we get along quite well, because, you know, there’s no real point in fighting.” Chris just shrugs acknowledging the brutal reality.

I take a moment to ask about his mom. Does she support Chris driving in the Mille Miglia? Chris with a raised eyebrow and a slight tilt of the head says, “No, no, no.” He continues on saying, “She’s very worried actually. This I think is due to my dad’s illness It makes her worry about losing us both, right? Moms, they get worried and with something like the Mille Miglia, which is not the safest thing in the world, but even more so racing. Actually she is much more on board with this than going to the racetrack.”

When describing what he anticipates over the next five days, Chris says, “We’ve all seen footage of the Mille Miglia. I think it would be amazing to actually be in the driver’s seat. I drive stick, but I know shifting this Fiat will be far different. I am looking forward to figuring it out.” Then he shares his greatest concern, Chris says, “I am most nervous about embarrassing myself in front of Bruce. You know when starting on a hill or stalling it.” In reflecting on the awaiting adventure Chris says, “I feel really fortunate to be here. I feel so lucky. It is extraordinarily meaningful.”

With the team assembled, we set off for the Brixia Forum Paddock, a sprawling warehouse on the outskirts of Brescia. Inside, arrayed wall to wall, can be seen some of the most desirable vintage cars in the world and all in their fully operational glory. Each car contributing to this orgy of automotive pulchritude awaits its turn for scrutineering. Scrutineering, at least for the Mille Miglia, requires rigorous vehicle and administrative checks. Cars must undergo chassis and VIN authenticity inspections. A valid FIVA card must be presented. All required chassis stickers must be affixed. Crews must present valid driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and sports/medical documents. Walking on to the floor one enters a grand arena show of breathtaking classic cars surrounded by swarms of properly credentialed onlookers, officials, drivers and support crew.

It also afforded us the opportunity to meet Rutger Houtkamp who oversees the Houtkamp Collection located in the Netherlands. As a longtime sponsor of the Mille Miglia, the Houtkamp Collection can provide a full support package including vintage car for participating in the Mille Miglia. In our case the 1948 Fiat 1100 S we would campaign came from the Houtkamp Collection. Our experiences through the coming week would provide our team with a genuine appreciation for Rutger’s commitment to making Chris’s 2026 Mille Miglia a memorable experience.

Finally our turn came for scrutineering. Now, with our credentials approved, our car number (156) affixed and the critically important road books that detailed the route to be followed each day in hand, Chris drove the Fiat out into the bright midday sunlight…and stalled. All that can be said is “Thank God” he got that insignificant concern out of the way. In a race that would see a 1956 Alfa Romeo slam into a motorcycle policeman, a 1954 Talbot Lago T26 GSL flipped on its roof in a drainage ditch and a 1930s Alfa Romeo swing wide on a hairpin turn and T-Bone a parked BMW; stalling the finicky Fiat seems meaningless, which it is.

As part of the Houtkamp Driver package, Houtkamp kicks off race week for its family of Mille Miglia participants with its traditional festive pre-race dinner at the Museo Auto Storiche Bresci (Once known as the Mille Miglia Museum). Here Houtkamp support staff, drivers and crew get to mingle and talk about tomorrow. For me this provided my first opportunity to speak with Chris’s Parents John and Amy. Both are good company, good people and, based on Chris, good parents.

Before the dinner, I had the opportunity to speak with Bruce and gain his perspective on the coming week. With this being his 12^th Mille Miglia, he understands what awaits young Chris. He says, “The Mille pushes you to the max. As it progresses day after day it challenges just how much more gas you’ve got in your tank. Not your car’s tank, your tank.” When asked if he has ever been called upon to shepherd a new driver, Bruce, being Bruce, responds in his signature blunt New England fashion. He says, “I have been involved with people who I quickly came to discover had no idea what the hell they were doing. I won’t make that mistake again.” In assessing Chris, Bruce says, “I have a good feeling about Chris. He runs formula Vee. He has experience with cars that go fast on tracks. He respects cars that go fast. My job is to prepare him each day for each leg of the event. I will let him learn on his own and provide guidance when necessary. Above all I will emphasize rule number one which states; ‘Don’t break the car and finish the race. And that, my friend, is what victory in the Mille Miglia looks like.”’

After a delightful dinner at the Museum, the day ends. We return to the Palace Hotel tired from the day and eager for tomorrow. Everyone retreats to bed and a sleep filled with dreams and concerns. For all, Day 1 of the Mille Miglia awaits.