Targa Florio Classica

The Legend of the Targa Florio

Few Italian sporting events possess the history of the Targa Florio: conceived in 1906 by industrialist and patron Vincenzo Florio, it remains the oldest motor race in the world still in existence. The Targa Florio Classica is its modern re-enactment, reserved for vintage cars. It is a regularity event—not a test of pure speed—that retraces the legendary roads of Sicily, where drivers like Tazio Nuvolari, Achille Varzi, and the local Palermo hero Nino Vaccarella wrote unforgettable chapters in racing history.

From Marsala to the Madonie

The connection with Marsala, in the heart of the Trapani province, is one of the most evocative aspects of the event. The caravan travels through the Marsala territory along the "Salt Pan Roads," skirting the Stagnone lagoon and the historic Cantine Florio—founded by the same family that created the race—before pushing toward the archaeological site of Selinunte, nestled between ancient temples and the sea. The second part of the route leads to the hairpin bends of the Madonie, the famous "Circuit" that helped forge the myth of the "Cursa."

A Regularity Challenge for Historic Cars

• Vintage historic cars (pre-1976 models) divided into categories
• Timed regularity trials along the entire Sicilian itinerary
• Final stage of the ACI Sport Italian Grand Events Championship and the Italian Modern Historic Car Regularity Championship

More Than Just a Race

The Targa Florio Classica is also a culinary and cultural journey through western Sicily, featuring gala dinners, stops at iconic local landmarks, and a large public following along the roads of the towns involved. Organized by the Automobile Club Palermo and ACI Sport, the event attracts crews from all over Italy and abroad, confirming Sicily as a land of motors and history.