Eco Targa Florio 2011 – Report and Photos

The inaugural Eco Targa Florio was staged September 29 – October 2, 2011 in Sicily, Italy.

The Eco Targa Florio 2011 was comprised of three events: the Green Prix for alternative energy vehicles, the Classic for historic vehicles and the Ferrari Tribute for Ferraris built between 1948 and today. The first staging of the Eco Targa Florio ended after three days of competition, curves and trials through Sicily’s striking scenery.

Eco Targa Florio Classic was reserved for vintage cars built between the beginning of the 20th century until 1977, the last year in which the original Targa Florio was run, with priority given to cars the chassis or models of which competed in the Targa 1906-1977. In the specific case of the Ferrari marque, owners of the sports racers and sports prototypes from Maranello that were registered between 1948 and 1977 and competed in the original Targa Florio could have entered the Eco Targa Florio Classic. However, all other Prancing Horse models were entered in the Ferrari Tribute to the Targa Florio.

Eco Targa Florio 2011 saw more than 100 crews (aboard alternative fuel vehicles, and classic and modern cars) leave Floriopoli to dive into the Circuito delle Madonie (the circuit of the Madonie), then onward into a lap of Sicily, passing through Enna, Piazza Armerina, Ragusa, and Modica, followed by Noto, Siracusa, Catania, Taormina, and Cefalù. Along the demanding course, the cars climbed the curves of the Madonie, Mount Etna and the Nebrodi.

Three competitions crowned three overall winners. The Eco Targa Florio Green Prix ended with the victory of Massimo Liverani and Valeria Strada, the couple on board a 2005 FIAT Croma JTD powered by Biodiesel.

In the Eco Targa Florio Classic, first place went to the crew comprising Giulio Massara and Simona Schira driving a 1966 Lancia Fulvia Hf 1.2. (2011 Eco Targa Florio Classic – Complete Results)

“It’s always a pleasure to come back here to Sicily: I was just a boy when I came with my motorbike to admire champions like Merzario or Vaccarella race on the Circuito delle Madonie,” said Giulio Massara. “There were difficulties along the way and many trials were technical and complex, but for being the first time, I think it went quite well.”

The team composed of Gino Verghini and Lamberto Fuso in a 1992 Ferrari 512 TR placed first overall at the Ferrari Tribute to Targa Florio. (2011 Eco Targa Florio Ferrari Tribute – Complete Results)

“At the start, especially in the first leg, we met with some difficulty due to the roads,” explained Gino Verghini, “then further along, the road eased up and we were able to admire Sicily’s beauty: a unique experience.”

The Coppa delle Dame (Women’s Cup) went to the team made up of Claudia Tagliaferri and Elisa Panzeri aboard a 1955 Jaguar XK 140 OTS.

Special awards were presented to Nino Vaccarella, Antoine Hezemans, and Arturo Merzario, three drivers who wrote the history of the Targa Florio and who participated in the 2011 competition.

“I’m pleased with the success the event achieved in its first commemorative staging this year. Looking forward, the Targa Florio represents a history that must be remembered, as we’ve done with this event,” explained Sandro Binelli, President of MAC Group. “I’m proud to have had Porsche and Alfa Romeo as joint presenting sponsors already this year, and I hope to strengthen increasingly significant partnerships with them, to continue to build this event and give it the international visibility it deserves,” Binelli concluded.

Eco Targa Florio 2011 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

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[Source: MAC Group; Ferrari SpA]