The Targa Florio Classica returned to the heart of Sicily on 15 October, turning the island’s winding mountain passes into a modern-day proving ground for classic machinery. Organized by the Automobile Club Italia and its Palermo branch, the event was recast as a regularity rally rather than a pure speed contest, demanding precision over 600 kilometres split into two intense days.
More than 200 participants—ranging from pre-war relics to contemporary supercars—rolled out of Palermo’s historic centre, where a festive ribbon cut in front of the Teatro Massimo marked the official start. The first leg headed west across the Trapanese, skirting the ancient ruins of Selinunte before stopping at the iconic Cantine Florio in Marsala for a time check. The route then pressed on to the archaeological park of Segesta, where the day’s competitive segment concluded.
The route and format of the 2026 edition
Day two, Saturday, saw the legendary Grande Circuito delle Madonie put to the test. Drivers tackled a labyrinth of hairpins and alpine valleys, a segment that has long been synonymous with daring duels between past champions. The rally’s official itinerary listed 97 timed sections, six of which were designated as medium-speed stages, ensuring that crews balanced outright pace with consistent performance. The final sprint on Sunday morning brought the competitors back to the island’s cultural core, as they passed the cathedral of Monreale before crossing the finish line.
Podium finishers and class victors
At the end of the marathon, the top spot on the Their flawless execution across the Polizzi Generosa and Termini Imerese stages earned them the coveted Italian Grandi Eventi championship as well.
Trailing them were Giovanni Moceri and Marco Campilongo in a 1941 Lancia Ardea followed by brothers Francesco and Giuseppe Di Pietra on a 1938 Fiat 508C to complete the The women’s trophy went to the pair of Vania Parolaro Fullin and Ornella Pietropaolo who conquered the competition in a Porsche 993 4S. The Targa Florio Legend class was secured by Dario Converso and Federica Ameglio driving an A112 Elegant, while the Gran Turismo category was taken by brothers Paolo and Eugenio Bordi behind a BMW Z8.
Notable firsts, tributes and military participation
The 2026 edition also featured several historic firsts. The Ferrari Tribute to Targa Florio dazzled the crowds with the most exclusive models from Maranello. Brothers Celestino and Oreste Sangiovanni earned a place in the tribute’s hall of fame by winning with a 2024 Ferrari 12-Cylinders Spider. Close behind, Gianantonio and Marco Gasparini clinched the Italian championship after a strong second-place finish in a 2024 Ferrari 296 GTS. The event’s podium also showcased a Ferrari FS90 Spider driven by Fabio Vergamini and navigated by Maurizia Bertolucci.
Perhaps the most surprising development was the debut of the Italian Army in the classic rally. Three historic military vehicles, loaned from the Museo Storico della Motorizzazione Militare of Rome, joined the start list: an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Zagato (1929), a Fiat 1100 508 C “Mimetica” (1938) that saw service during the Second World War, and a Fiat AR 51 “Campagnola” (1951), an iconic post-war off-road model. Their presence highlighted the deep ties between Italy’s automotive heritage and its defence history.
President of the Automobile Club d’Italia, Geronimo La Russa summed up the atmosphere, declaring the race “a heritage of Sicily and Italy, admired worldwide, that blends tradition with a forward-looking spirit.” His words echoed the sentiment of spectators—both youthful and elderly—who lined the streets of towns such as Colleano, Floriopoli, Cerda and Polizzi Generosa, cheering the revved-up convoy of historic and modern machines alike.
