Targa, Targa, Targa!
As Porsche releases its latest 911 Targa, we take a look at the race that inspired it and those that followed.
Targa Florio
The original sports car race was founded by Vincenzo Florio in 1906 in the mountains of Sicily. The inaugural three-lap race covered 277 miles and was won by Alessandro Cagno in his Itala in nine hours, 32 minutes at an average speed of 30mph. That first “Grande” lap had around 2,000 corners and as time went on the route would become longer and more challenging - at one point becoming a single 670-mile lap of the island. From 1955-1973 the Targa Florio was part of the FIA World Sports Car Championship before safety concerns finally ended the run. To celebrate its wins in 1956, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1973 Porsche named its removable-roofed 911 “Targa”.
Targa Down Under
In 1990 Australian racers Max Stahl and John Large had the idea to stage a tarmac rally on the island of Tasmania - a modern day tribute to the Targa Florio. They first staged Targa Tasmania in 1992 and went on to establish a championship that would visit Queensland for Targa Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne for Targa High Country. Open to a wide field from classics to supercars to full-blown rally cars and with a separate non-competitive Touring category, it’s one of the most inclusive rally series around. Read more about Targa Tasmania.
Targa Florio Australian Tribute
The Targa Florio Australian Tribute brings classic Italian style and speed to the Land Down Under. With a focus on vehicles from the original Targa Florio era from 1907-1976, but also open to modern exotics, this four day event has taken place on the roads of Victoria since 2017..
Targa New Zealand
Mike John founded Targa New Zealand in 1995 with over 1,200 miles of special stages on the North Island. Like the Australian events, today Targa New Zealand is open to all, with an intensely competitive main event, but also a time trial and tour to accompany it. And the scenery is just breathtaking.
Targa Newfoundland
The southern hemisphere model has also been adopted for Targa Newfoundland since 2002. The 1,000-mile course claims to be the first and only tarmac rally of its kind in North America. Like its brethren the event is open to a wide range of vehicles and drivers, with competition and touring classes.