The fact that the TT is still going on 43 years after the Targa Florio folded due to safety concerns is a modern wonder and I'm so thankful racing such as what this was, and the TT still is, is still going on somewhere in the world.
I drove the circuit in 2003. Unbelievable feeling imaging it in a racing car. Beautiful landscape, perhaps the finest location ever conceived for a motor race.
I just spent a few weeks in Sicily for vacation. I came to the Targa Florio, and I did each of the 3 layouts of the track. How magnificent this must of been in its prime. The balls and commitment to race this super windy and twisty road is abusive and demanding. 800+ turns in the Grande layout of hairpins, switchbacks and everything in between. Unfortunately the road condition is in parts non existent and the road has decayed to the natural mountain terrain. Anyone who loves racing must come and drive all these layouts. Must respect the TT still runs racing today.
8 years a bit late to comment but I recently just came back from holiday in Sicily and I had to go and see the Targa Florio layout! I unfortunately I only went to Collesano at the museum which was an awesome little place that had all sorts memobrillia over the years. I wanted to go to another museum which had all sorts race cars on display such as the Alfa Romeo 33 about 30 mins away from Collesano but I had very little time to take in the history and amazing scenery. I did drive through a section that was used for Targa Florio a selection of twisty corners bumps that threw in your face I can only imagine what must of been like in 60s 70s with cars that are capable of 200mph+ amazing! I will definitely go back to Sicily as I left with amazing memories to take with me back in the UK!
In the early 60's the races I folllowed were Monaco, Spa, Nurburg, Lemans and the TargeFlorio, but the one that I loved the most was the Targa. To me that was the greatest of them all, a REAL RACE, balls to the walls.
My idea of Heaven is driving the circuit on a beautiful day in a Matra 670. No other traffic and if you screw up everything just resets to the last corner you got right. The sound of that Matra V12 would be marvelous to hear echoing off the hills. Ah well, no harm in dreaming....
awesome video. I love playing in this track in RFactor simulator more than any other. undoubtedly the best challenge in all history (since now all motorsports are for boys, comparing to these men and machines)
A bit of misinformation in here- Vaccarella/Giunti finished 3rd in 1970, not 4th and the fastest lap of the circuit was set by Leo Kinnunen in 1970, around 5-10 seconds faster than Marko.
marunda You're completely right. It's funny that Wikipedia (as an example, other sites do this aswell) say that Helmut Marko has done the quickest lap with 33:41 in 1972, but Leo Kinnunen was 5 seconds quicker with 33:36 in 1970. The German Wikipedia tells me on both occasions that it's been the fastest lap during the race. So I don't understand how people always say it's Marko who was quicker. I could understand it if Kinnunen had done the lap during qualifying as those laps often don't count as a record.
Great piece of racing history! Thank you very much for sharing... Just one thing: Mulsanne straight no! Les Hunaudières yes! Please respect original names
You can buy GT Legends on Steam for under $10 and download a Targa Florio map from No Grip Racing for free. So much fun :D It's almost impossible to drive without a good racing wheel though. store.steampowered.com/app/44690
I use to run the Targa Florio in rFactor and enjoy every piece of video about it. For instance, this guy ran the entire track and recorded it th-cam.com/video/kAk1rx8au68/w-d-xo.html
honestly this wasn't very in-depth..... they mentioned only one Ferrari win and discussed german and british(through driver) dominance. They came into Italy and insulted us
The fact that the TT is still going on 43 years after the Targa Florio folded due to safety concerns is a modern wonder and I'm so thankful racing such as what this was, and the TT still is, is still going on somewhere in the world.
I drove the circuit in 2003. Unbelievable feeling imaging it in a racing car. Beautiful landscape, perhaps the finest location ever conceived for a motor race.
DO: Was just sitting here thinking about that drive. That it would have to be done in an Alfa. That is on the bucket list!
I just spent a few weeks in Sicily for vacation. I came to the Targa Florio, and I did each of the 3 layouts of the track. How magnificent this must of been in its prime. The balls and commitment to race this super windy and twisty road is abusive and demanding. 800+ turns in the Grande layout of hairpins, switchbacks and everything in between. Unfortunately the road condition is in parts non existent and the road has decayed to the natural mountain terrain. Anyone who loves racing must come and drive all these layouts. Must respect the TT still runs racing today.
8 years a bit late to comment but I recently just came back from holiday in Sicily and I had to go and see the Targa Florio layout! I unfortunately I only went to Collesano at the museum which was an awesome little place that had all sorts memobrillia over the years. I wanted to go to another museum which had all sorts race cars on display such as the Alfa Romeo 33 about 30 mins away from Collesano but I had very little time to take in the history and amazing scenery. I did drive through a section that was used for Targa Florio a selection of twisty corners bumps that threw in your face I can only imagine what must of been like in 60s 70s with cars that are capable of 200mph+ amazing! I will definitely go back to Sicily as I left with amazing memories to take with me back in the UK!
If the last race of the formula 1 season is worth double points it should be the Targa Florio that they compete on.
Agree!
Good to see you expanding from out of car reviews and into some of the greatest history of motoring!
This needs more views! Absolute quality, awesome history.
Good work chaps. For those who wish to learn more, look up a film called Mountain Legend which features the 1965 race.
In the early 60's the races I folllowed were Monaco, Spa, Nurburg, Lemans and the TargeFlorio, but the one that I loved the most was the Targa. To me that was the greatest of them all, a REAL RACE, balls to the walls.
Thanks for a great racing history. I had heard the race name but did not know all the info and history about it. Great video. More of this please.
awesome guys! fabulous work. Spa next please!
Thanks! Spa is one of our favourite tracks, we'll add the idea to the list.
Someday I will go there. The Piccolo circuit is truly one of the most amazingly long and scenic race tracks on Earth.
Superb. Lovely cinematography as always.
Very cool! So much history.Thanks for video🏁
Loved this, you guys should do more historical, documentary style videos. But along with the other videos as well.
My idea of Heaven is driving the circuit on a beautiful day in a Matra 670. No other traffic and if you screw up everything just resets to the last corner you got right. The sound of that Matra V12 would be marvelous to hear echoing off the hills. Ah well, no harm in dreaming....
Excellent video guys. Those were the days !
Ohhh yeeess, a Targa Florio video!
awesome video. I love playing in this track in RFactor simulator more than any other. undoubtedly the best challenge in all history (since now all motorsports are for boys, comparing to these men and machines)
Love playing this track on GTL always a great challenge !
Fantastic video - really enjoyed it.
Great video guys thank you!!!
Wow. Great mini doc. What a race. Only in Italy.
What a beautiful made film!! superb! keep on...
Need more races like this. Hopefully if the MSA's closed road thing works we should see races like this in the north west
Great video, good work
Quality content.
Great work
Amazing video!
Please tell us the theme soundtrack for this great documentary
A bit of misinformation in here- Vaccarella/Giunti finished 3rd in 1970, not 4th and the fastest lap of the circuit was set by Leo Kinnunen in 1970, around 5-10 seconds faster than Marko.
marunda You're completely right. It's funny that Wikipedia (as an example, other sites do this aswell) say that Helmut Marko has done the quickest lap with 33:41 in 1972, but Leo Kinnunen was 5 seconds quicker with 33:36 in 1970. The German Wikipedia tells me on both occasions that it's been the fastest lap during the race. So I don't understand how people always say it's Marko who was quicker. I could understand it if Kinnunen had done the lap during qualifying as those laps often don't count as a record.
+marunda Thanks for the correction. Got a source for your info, please?
Amazing Video
Bravo! This is a great look at an era I describe as "When Real Men Drove Real Race Cars!"
Check Leo Kinnunen, record holder. Brilliant Porsche driver.
I'm sure you were going in the wrong direction in some clips?? At 10.14 for example?
great video
If you can Mille Miglia next please.
any idea what the song at the beginning of the video is called? i like it.
Amazing race,
Very nice video...but what is this music? Anyone knows? : )
Bravo!
What was your lap time
Great piece of racing history! Thank you very much for sharing...
Just one thing: Mulsanne straight no! Les Hunaudières yes! Please respect original names
Love this vid
They boil bring back Targa Florio just add more safety features so it could be he race track
it once was
Amazing pice of journalism.
You can buy GT Legends on Steam for under $10 and download a Targa Florio map from No Grip Racing for free. So much fun :D It's almost impossible to drive without a good racing wheel though.
store.steampowered.com/app/44690
track link:
www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=33750
I use to run the Targa Florio in rFactor and enjoy every piece of video about it. For instance, this guy ran the entire track and recorded it th-cam.com/video/kAk1rx8au68/w-d-xo.html
Cool video but you completely left out the Ferrari/Shelby wars!
siralanlordsugar No, that was Championship focused. Not just Le Mans. Sebring, Targa Floria, Reims, Spa, etc.
Very good yet again
You too chaps are great Narraters. Thanks for posting
honestly this wasn't very in-depth..... they mentioned only one Ferrari win and discussed german and british(through driver) dominance. They came into Italy and insulted us
what was your lap time, since the circuit doesn't exist?
I'm shipping these two.
targa actually means license plate
As soon as I see a talking head I skip ahead. Please no talking faces. Cars and track only.
great vid, crap car