There has been some great coverage in the local and regional media ahead of the 2023 Targa Classica
From 0 to 100! | From TARGA FLORIO to TARGA CLASSICA
Introducing Targa Classica
For the last 6 months the Targa Team have been developing the next chapter of the event and we are delighted to finally share the news with everyone.
Like you, we are driven by an inner passion for classic motor cars.
And when combined with incredible landscapes, Victoria’s best driving roads, sumptuous food and wine along the way and the company of like-minded individuals, the event is a classic in every sense.
Broadening the event’s Italian Heritage to add the influences of the Championship 5 Italian “Grandi Eventi” events, we wanted to ensure the event delivers as the truly unique blend it offers every participant – a wonderful Australian experience, with Classic Italian flare at every twist, turn and pit stop. Targa Classica. Our dream is to see the event continue to evolve into an event that delivers to everyone involved the joy and passion of the Grandi Eventi.
So join us as we grow our own tradition – and make Targa Classica become the legend as our Italian counterparts have for over 100 years.
The Targa Florio Australia event has been transformed into the event we hoped it would be. With a capacity field we feel it’s time for the event to create a new chapter and take its place as an import part of the motorsport calendar.
Now heading to its 5th event in Australia
the event has become:
Targa Florio Australia is officially
SOLD OUT for 2023
The field reaches the 100 mark, meaning the capacity of the event has been reached for the first time in its history!
In another new milestone for Targa Florio Australia, we have officially registered 100 cars to compete in this great event for motoring enthusiasts. Hitting the 100 mark means we have reached capacity with our overall aim for our events to provide the best quality, premium motoring experience possible. After a fantastic 2022 event covering many regions of Victoria and culminating in our own taste of the F1 experience at the Australian grand Prix, we have reached capacity.
Andrew Lawson, Event Organiser and Classic Car Passionista is thrilled by the public response;
“The event is now in its 5th year. Every year it has grown. Every year we have provided and refined our offering based off the feedback of our competitors. We all have a Passion for Motoring and we love to enjoy our cars with a group of like minded people, in fantastic surrounds, with great food, with great laughter and now all great friends!”
The new milestone means that the 2023 waitlist is now open. The waitlist is important in case there are any withdrawals for the 2023 event. If you have registered, you will then be invited to participate. Below is the Registration Link for the Waitlist, don’t delay and make sure you’re part of Motoring History!
Targa Florio Classica 2022 belongs to the Sicilians
The Targa Florio Classica 2022 in Sicilia was a triumph for locals with two Sicilian crews coming home in the top 5 in Fiat 508 C cars.
Mario Passanante and Dario Moretti won in their 1937 Fiat 508 C. the event proving very exciting tussle with the decided in the last meters of the race which resulted in Angelo Accardo and Filippo Becchina, securing second place at the finish line. Francesco and Giuseppe Di Pietra, third ahead of Gianmario Fontanella and Annamaria Covelli in a 1939 Lancia Aprilia and fifth a Sicilian team from Trapani, Campobello di Mazara Enzo Ciravolo and Francesco Messina.
Also driven to the last meter the three way duel won for the series championship was won by Francesco and Giuseppe Di Pietra who finished ahead of Fontanella – Covelli in the race standings, and thus are the new Italian Champions of the Great Event series and winners of the ACI Storico Series, which combines the scores of the Targa Florio, the Coppa D’Oro della Dolomiti and the “Mugello Road Circuit”. The father and son, secured the title for Campobello di Mazara for the second time after triumphing in 2018.
-“A very difficult victory in the most critical event – said Passanante – Three mechanical failures that delayed us and we recovered – amazing. We are very grateful to the mechanic Fabrizio Falanga who enabled us to win. A strong joy”.
-“The first stage was very difficult for us, as Giuseppe had competed with another person, – explained Francesco Di Pietra – a race that earned a title, demanding with certainly strong opponents, decided at the last meter. We competed with a lot of luck and we won our second Italian Major Events Championship”.
-“The Targa Florio is confirmed as very competitive, nothing is taken for granted until the end, especially if the opponents are those with whom we measure ourselves in these days– said Accardo – The Campobello school is very competitive. Regularity is an exciting discipline and thanks to the communication work carried out by the Federation, it is increasingly in the foreground”.
Success in the Ferrari Tribute to Targa Florio 2022 goes to the Tuscan’s Fabio Vergamini and Anna Maria Fabrizi in a 2015 Ferrari 488 GTB. Second position to Mauro Ferrari and Maria Paola Saetti in a Ferrari Monza SP 2, ahead of the Roman team of Celestino and Oreste Sangiovanni.
Three days in which Sicily expressed all the affection towards its race born in 1906, which brought the crews and classic cars to discover many places on the island, many of which are inextricably linked to car competitions.
The announcement of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2023 has enabled us to set the dates for Targa Florio Australia 2023.
La Dolce Vita continues with fabulous new locations, more cars, more competitors and lots of fun over four days of this increasingly popular event for motoring enthusiasts.
New locations and Confirmed Dates
The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix has been locked in for 2023 from March 30th to April 2nd. In a win for motoring enthusiasts Targa Florio Australia will again provide the link from Victoria’s regions to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. The Targa Florio Australia field of Classic and Supercars will once again finish at the Albert Park circuit after 4 days of fabulous driving around picturesque Victoria. Competitors once again have the chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the biggest motor sport event in Australia.
Targa Florio Australia will commence on Monday 27th starting in Healesville. The event will then travel north to My Hotham linking the north of the state before returning to finish at the Australian Grand Prix on Thursday 30th March 2023.
The Route 2023
Monday: RACV Healesville to RACV Healesville
The Yara Valley Loop. Starting at the majestic RACV in Healesville, Day 1 winds its way to the Yarra Ranges National Park, via Yarra Junction, Warburton and Reefton before looping north to Marysville and back to the RACV Healesville.
Tuesday: Healesville to Mt Hotham
Tuesday is a day for drivers! Victoria’s Alpine region is a delight year-round. Leaving behind the Yarra Valley we drive north to Tagarty, Eldon Weir and Yark before arriving in Bonnie Doon for Lunch. The afternoon sees the cars continue on to the alpine roads via Whitfield, Myrtleford, Bright and the fantastic 100 sweeping corners up to Mt Hotham.
Plans are being made for a spectacular Mt Hotham stay you as you enjoy the sun setting across the Victoria Alps.
Wednesday: Mt Hotham to Nagambie
Leave your curtains open and enjoy the sun rising over the mountains then strap yourself in for an exciting drive curving down and around the mountain ranges, valleys, and amazing roads from Mt Hotham to Mount Bogong lookout then looping round to Yackandandah, Beechworth, Winton and end the stunning day at the equally stunning Mitchelton winery.
Thursday: Nagambie to Albert Park
From Michelton Winery to Eastern Lions, Seymour, Romsey you should have a smile fixed on your face – you will have enjoyed 4 of the best days driving across 6 of Victoria’s regions and you are heading to the finale at the AGP. The champagne will be on ice.
Targa Florio Australia seeks to bring together great driving roads, great comradery and people that enjoy using their cars as the maker intended! The event is planned meticulously to include:
- the best driving roads Victoria has to offer each day
- a perfect balance of fun and competition, community and spectators to awe at your classic car and ensure each of us gets to feel like a rockstar!
- Add great food and accommodation and you have a week not to be missed.
Targa Classica is an event the competitors love, but it’s much more than just about cars. It is about bringing people together, out of their houses, into the street, down to the local park, on the street corner to connect with the competitors and feel part of it. This Historic event, whose roots are in Italy, connects with all ages and involves fine food, wine and festivities, as well as appreciation of the incredible cars.’ There are many opportunities over the 4 days to enjoy watching the field of magnificent cars. You can watch them roar by as they drive the windy roads of Victoria, cheer them whilst they are challenged to drive the competition stages or enjoy them close up and personal as they are assembled each day at lunch and in the evenings.
Keep an eye on the Route Page and we will keep updating the best places to view the cars along the route. We will also add the programmed time that cars will be in each spot to help you find the best location to watch the field go by.
Please contact us if you have any questions
Competition Stages Explained
Time Trials (PC’s) [PC = Prove Cronometrate]
The key is to accurately drive these short sections, between 40 and 400 meters long, in exactly the correct set time. There are usually 2-4 of these in a row each time and they are positioned off the main roads. You are timed by driving over timing tubes to start and then end each stage. There are more than 70 of these on the event over the 4 days and they are timed to within 1/100 of a second. You are penalised 1 point for each 1/100th of a second you are off the exact set time. This is where the competition is won and lost.
Average Speed Tests (PM’s) [PM = Prove di Media]
The key with PM’s is to maintain the set average speed over the distance set, usually 5-10km. There are 1 -2 of these tests each day. You will start the test on instructions of a Marshall and your speed checked at secret locations anywhere during the prescribed distances . These are timed to 1/10 of a second. Penalties for being slower or quicker are incurred.
