Published on: 11/10/2023 Updated on: 20/02/2025

Targa Florio Classica 2023: the great "cursa" returns to the roads of Sicily.

From October 12 to 15, the roads of Trapanese and Palermitan welcome participants in the Targa Florio Classica 2023. We at Mafra are present as a sponsor of regularity champion Mario Passanante, competing in a 1937 Fiat 508 C.

From October 12 to 15, the Targa Florio Classica 2023, a regularity race for historic cars, flanked by the Ferrari Tribute.

The event commemorates the oldest race in the world: it was, in fact, the entrepreneur Vincenzo Florio who conceived it, tracing its route on a sheet of paper while he was in Paris. The first edition was held in 1906 on a very challenging route that touched on places that later became famous in the history of motor racing such as Cerda, Castelbuono, Campofelice. At the finish line, after 446 kilometers covered in nine and a half hours, only seven cars arrived, with Alessandro Cagno 'sItala winning at an average speed of 46 km/h.

Since then, the Targa Florio speed race has been held 61 times until 1977, the year of the last edition organized on the winding roads of the Madonie Mountains. Its roll of honor includes such great champions as Nuvolari, Varzi, Villoresi, Moss, von Trips, Rodriguez, Siffert and Sicilian specialist Nino Vaccarella. In 1977, the last edition scheduled on the road course was mourned by an accident, with two victims: later, the race was turned into a rally.

Today the Targa Florio Classica, so called to distinguish it from the rally, is one of the most important and challenging regularity races for historic cars.

The program of the "cursa" 2023

The Targa Florio Classica 2023 begins on Friday, Oct. 13, in Trapani, with the start from Piazza Giovanni Dupre Sculse.

The first day features the province of Trapani, with its breathtaking views and locations linked to theFlorio epic, such as the eponymous wineries. Passages of competitors are also planned near the famous salt pans and the ascent of Mount Erice, a famous uphill time trial.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, crews will tackle the classic Circuito delle Madonie, the scene in the past of challenges between great champions, starting from the grandstands of Floriopoli. The cars are scheduled to arrive, after a "power stage" organized in Termini Imerese, at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the University of Palermo.

Along with the Targa Florio Classica 2023 (for cars up to 1977) are the Legend (1978-1990), the Gran Turismo (since 1991) and the Ferrari Tribute (since 1991).

For all crews there is a chance to have an exciting experience in the streets of Trapani, just where the motor sport discipline of regularity was born. For fans it is an opportunity to admire unique cars, which have made the history of this race.

Targa Florio Classica: challenge at a high level

The prestige of the Targa Florio Classica means that all the stars of regularity take part in it, competing with extremely precise passes over the pressure switches.

Prominent among the big names are. Mario Passanante, former winner in 2022, in a 1937 Fiat 508 C, and Giovanni Moceri, in a 1937 Lancia Aprilia.

Mafra is present at Targa Florio Classica 2023 as Sponsor of its Brand Ambassador Mario Passanante, a multiple Italian regularity champion from Campobello di Mazara. For several years now, we at Mafra have been alongside Mario Passanante, with whom we share a passion for classic cars and historic motoring.

At Targa Florio Classica 2023 you can admire beautiful historic cars, such as BMW 328, Dino 246 GT, Jaguar XK 120, Lancia Aurelia B24, Porsche 356.

The Targa Florio Legend and GT cars are also spectacular: competing are Ferrari 308 and Testarossa, BMW M3, Mercedes SL, Lamborghini Huracán.