From NASA: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/27may_approachingmars.htm

By the time you finish reading this sentence, you'll be 25 miles closer to the planet Mars. Earth is racing toward Mars at a speed of 23,500 mph, which means the red planet is getting bigger and brighter by the minute. In October, when the two planets are closest together, Mars will outshine everything in the night sky except Venus and the Moon.  (You're another 50 miles closer: keep reading!)

(But not as close as in 2003.)

Jim