For the first time in over 100 years, the world-renowned Targa Florio vintage car rally will be calling Victoria their home for an incredible four-day event that embraces some of Victoria’s most breathtaking scenery.
Minister of Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined the GM of Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Mike Smith in Torquay today where the “Targa Florio – Australian Tribute” will take place later this year.
The famous rally will cover over 1,200km in more than 200 classic cars to showcase the beauty of the Australian regional state, Victoria. The event is expected to attract thousands of car lovers as well as celebrities and the international media.
The route planned will showcase the best and promote some of Victoria’s top regional destinations including Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Great Open Road, Queenscliff to Sorento, Glippsland, the Mornington Peninsula and lastly, Yarra Valley.
Before the beginning of Formula 1 racing, the Targa Florio was the most challenging race for cars at the time. When the first event took place in 1906, the race would have started and ended in the same place–in Palermo, Italy.
The event attracted the best drivers and the most important car makers such as the Italian jewel Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, Bugatti, Maserati, BMW, Mercedes as well as Porsche. The prominent road race would be celebrating its 101st anniversary in the sporting and major event capitol of Australia in November.
Victoria will be the only place in the world to ever host the F1 Grand Prix, the Moto GP and now, the Targa Florio. This is all sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Also to be featured is the competition of 101 Ferrari’s in the ever popular Ferrari Tribute.
A special performance by the powerhouse trio, “Il Volo” will take place during the race’s closing ceremony. They have also performed alongside Barbara Streisand, Placido Domingo and the Eurovision Song Contest.
For the past 12 months, the Andrew Labor Government’s Regional Event Fund has sponsored more than 40 events in regional Victoria and they will be doing the same for the Targa Florio.
The Targa Florio will take place from 30 November to 3 December 2017.
Race schedule:
- Thursday 30 November – registered vehicles will make their way from Melbourne
CBD to the City of Greater Geelong via Torquay and back to Geelong for the official
opening ceremony - Friday 1 December – vehicles will drive from Geelong to Apollo Bay via Lorne and
then onto Queenscliff. Vehicles will be transported by ferry from the Bellarine
Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula - Saturday 2 December – registrants will drive from the heart of Mornington’s wine
region through Red Hill to San Remo and onto Healesville - Sunday 3 December – departing from Healesville back towards Melbourne CBD
and via Albert Park, finishing at the Sponsors’ village at Docklands.
For more information, visit www.visitmelbourne.com.
