From Sicily To Victoria – Targa Florio’s Debut Down Under! [+Video]

Targa Florio races through Victoria! For the first time in history, the world-renowned Targa Florio vintage car rally will race outside of Italy, calling Victoria home for an incredible four-day event that takes in some of Victoria’s most breathtaking scenery.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined General Manager of Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Mike Smith in Torquay recently where the ‘Targa Florio – Australian Tribute’ will pass through later this year.

The famous rally will showcase the best of regional Victoria, as more than 200 classic cars travel across 1,200km of Victoria. It’s expected to attract thousands of car lovers, celebrities and international media.

The route has been designed to promote some of Victoria’s top regional destinations including Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Great Ocean Road, Queenscliff to Sorrento, Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley.

Before Formula 1 racing, the Targa Florio was the most difficult and challenging race for cars on earth. First run in 1906, the race has always started and finished in Palermo, Italy (Palermo is the capital of the Italian island of Sicily).

It attracted the best drivers and the most important international car makers, such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lancia, Maserati, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche.

The prestigious road race will now celebrate its 101^st anniversary in the sporting and major events capital of Australia in November.

Victoria will be the only place in the world to host the F1 Grand Prix, the Moto GP and the Targa Florio, all of which are sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The event will also feature 101 Ferraris competing in the ever popular Ferrari Tribute.

Powerhouse trio ‘Il Volo’ – who have performed alongside Barbara Streisand, Placido Domingo and at the Eurovision Song Contest – will perform at the race’s closing ceremony.

The Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Event Fund has supported more than 40 events across regional Victoria in the past 12 months, including the Targa Florio.