TARGA FLORIO Race. The Targa Florio race is the oldest rally race in the world, and it is the most f
The Targa Florio race is the oldest rally race in the world, and it is the most famous and well-known in Italy. We are learn here why it has this name, and the history of this great event for cars and competition. This rally has millions of viewers that get together from all over.
History of the Targa Florio race in Sicily
Targa Florio was the last competition in open road. For so many years it was one of the most important World Championship race. After the Mille Miglia stopped running after the tragic 1957, Targa Florido race became the unique race where could be seen the most amazing cars. The race was held each year in the month of May in Sicilia, Italy.
The Targa Florio race’s first edition was in 1906 and it had 22 enrolled. The circuit had 200 km. and the drivers should go around three rounds. From the 22 just ten decided to participate, the winner was Alessandro Cagno, an Italian competitor that surprised all the audience with his performance.
To elevate a higher level, Florio asked the participation of local pilots and he participated in the race as well, losing for one second against the Spa Di Ciuppa in 1909 edition.
In 1912 the run race had 1,000 km route, it kept the pilots more than 20 hours driving. So next year the race was divided in two stages, it was a great thing for Ascari, Targa, Masetti, Varzi, Nuvolari and Divo, who were the best pilots that time.
Passing the years there were changes and after 1958 it was mandatory to have two pilots. Some of the pilots that won in Sicily then were Siffert, Briand Redman, Von Tripps, Pedro Rodríguez, etc.
In 1974 Targa Florido race was closed by the FIA, it tried to survive but after two years of hard trying it closed forever.
Why it is called Targa Florio race?
The name Targa Florio race comes from nice anecdote. Awhile Florio was waiting for a carriage in Paris that would take him to opera, a young lady offered him flowers and moved by their poverty he bought all the flowers but asked her to keep them because he didn’t know what to do with all of them. The young lady accepted and wish him all the luck he deserved. When the carriage came he saw a plate “Targhetta 24” wich means Plate 24 in Italian. He was impressed about the Italian name in a French carriage. After much thought he decided to have the next race a plate as a prize, but written in Italian.
So inspired on the flowers of the young lady and the Targuetta, he mixed and combined names for a while until he finally found the right name for it “Targa Florio” race.
Some dangers Targa Florio race had
The Targa Florio race was very dangerous because the road was rough, this road was barely maintenance by primitive machines. Today it is totally different because before each race the road and the equipment is well- studied and proven. Some of the most dangerous things about this, are the following:
There wasn’t security systems, and any place to grip on.
They could meet wild animals, big rocks, making difficult their competition.
During the competition they were almost blind because all the dust raised by other drivers and themselves.
Mechanical failures abounded, etc.
Among the most famous Tragedies of Targa Florio race we have the one that was the last race for Giulio Masetti in his Delage 2 LCV 2.0 with the number 13. He knew very well the road and his start was great but minutes later his car overturned and half of his body was trapped under the heavy car. Everyone were horrified and scared for Giulio Masetti. When the police arrived at the crash scene found Masetti still alive, so together with Rene Thomas, one of the other pilots, Masetti was freed from the heavy car on him.
Masetti last words were: “The direction, the direction” and he died. His body had internal bleeding and a lot of contusions. Thomas went back to his car crying and continued the race. Minutes later Masetti’s death was announced by megaphone. The investigations showed that the main reason for that tragic accident was originated for delayed effect brakes.
Despite the dangers and disadvantages of the time Targa Florio race was the best experience for all the competitors, they enjoyed the most of every race and they gave their best ever.
