First run in 1906, the Targa Florio has grown to become one of the great names in motor sport. It has been held every year on the roads of Italy until 1940, before returning once more in 1947. Run in one of the most enchanting Italian regions, Sicily, the race has always started and finished in Palermo, typically covering a route of approximately 600-700 kilometres.



Before Formula 1 racing, the Targa Florio was the most difficult and challenging race for cars on earth, attracting the great racing car drivers and the most important international car makers, such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lancia, Maserati, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche.



In 2017, the celebration of the 101st Anniversary of the Targa Florio and the first time the event has left Italy, an amazing attraction for Victoria and all car enthusiasts was celebrated. The event toured the Victorian coast and countryside, featuring over 150 of the world’s most admirable cars.

“The Targa Florio Australian Tribute is the only official Targa Florio tribute event outside of Italy. It is fully sanctioned by the Automobile Club of Palermo – the official owners of the Targa Florio brand worldwide – under the auspices of AC Italia, a member of Federation of Automobiles Internationale/FIA” John Caniglia, Director of the Targa Florio Australian Tribute said.

Cars will be competing over 4 days from the 28th November to the 2nd December on Victoria’s open roads at regulated speed. As part of the event there will be 56 trials across the 4 days.



Targa Florio Australian Tribute is proud to announce Shannons – Insurance for Motoring Enthusiasts as Official Partner for 2018, “We at Shannons are excited to be supporting this grand event that brings together the Motoring Enthusiast community to enjoy our beautiful countryside in our classic cars” said Simon Jreige, National Manager Business Development.

As official partner of Targa Florio Australian Tribute, Shannons history and synergy with classic motoring is the perfect brand to be associated with one of the world’s most prestigious classic car events - including the Classica Trofeo for vehicles from 1906 to 1976.

Today, the Targa Florio is not just the world's most ancient road race, but a tribute to classic cars and beautiful scenery. It is both a motor sport event and historical tribute to the legendary cars that participated in the original race and now also includes, the ever-popular Ferrari Tribute.



The Targa Florio is an event that brings together the beauty of classic cars and the fascination of the great races to a passionate audience from across the globe and for over 80 years it has stood as a symbol of passion for cars, luxury, and elegance.

Australia has strong links with this historical motor sport event. Our own racing legend Daniel Ricciardo participated in 2016, driving an Alfa Romeo Tipo 33, the same vehicle his mentor Dr Helmet Marko drove in 1972. Other great drivers include Stirling Moss who won the 39th Targa Florio in 1955 in a Mercedes 300SLR, Arturo Merzario winning in 1972/73 and 1975, Juan Miguel Fangio and Italian/Sicilian legend Nino Vaccarella to name few of the great drivers to participate. 



Many of the major car manufacturers have participated in this great event including other iconic racing brands such as Tag Heuer, Pirelli and eni Agip, which has continued on its tradition through its exclusive Australian Distributor Chematek under the Eni brand in the Australian instalment of this great motor sport event, The Targa Florio Australian Tribute.

After the success of its inaugural year in 2017, Shannons as Official Insurance partner of Targa Florio Australian Tribute will also be participating in a beautiful 1973 Triumph TR6 Roadster driven by their National Auctions and External Relations Manager Christophe Boribon across the beautiful six major scenic tourist regions of Victoria. 



Cars will compete in this lifestyle touring regularity rally in three major categories;

• Classica Trofeo – Classic Cars from 1906-1976

• Ferrari Tributo – Ferraris from 1977 – present

• Supercar Trophy – Factory Supercars from 1990 to present

Targa Florio Australian Tribute has also partnered with the Italian Tourism Board to cross promote tourism between Italy and Australia and is also strongly supported by the Italian Government via the Italian Consulate of Melbourne.



The Australian event has attracted an international audience with F1 legend Arturio Merzario returning to compete in this year’s instalment alongside the Italian dynamic duo and defending Classica Trofeo Champions Giordano Mozzi and Stefania Biacca. They will have formidable competition with our own Motorsport Channel 10 reporter Kate Peck and Supercar and GT Series driver Tony D’Alberto suiting up to challenge the internationals on our home turf as Ambassadors for the event.



The Targa Florio Australian Tribute is the most prestigious lifestyle touring regularity motor sport event in Australia and will begin from the Steampacket Gardens, Geelong on November 28th, 2018 and finishing in the iconic Lygon St ‘Piazza Italia’ – Argyle Square - renowned for its Mediterranean culture on December 2nd 2018.

Limited entries remain, register now to be part of what promises to be a great experience for any car enthusiast.