A LOOK BACK ON 1^st RALLY TARGA SICILIA
15-19 APRIL 2024

PALERMO – CEFALU – TAORMINA – SYRACUSA

Monday April 15, 2024, 52 crews met at the Grand Hôtel des Palmes in Palermo for the traditional day of welcome and administrative checks prior to the start of the 1st Targa Sicilia Rally. While the cars were dressed in the colors of the Rally and its partners, a day of discovery and visit to the heart of the historic center was planned to begin this resolutely tourist rally.

The first stage offered a winding route free of all traffic until lunch at the charming Lo Chalet restaurant from where the competitors launched an attack on a motorsport monument of the last century: the 72km Targa Florio . Completed almost in their entirety, each participant will have been able to measure the virtuoso of the valiant pilots who have left their mark on this race described as “the most difficult in the world”. Everyone could be proud of having completed this legendary route when reaching Cefalu, a charming city bordered by the Mediterranean.

It was under a bright sun and an immaculate blue sky that the second stage allowed us to reach the center of the island and remarkable viewpoints over its villages clinging, perched, as if suspended from the tops of the hills, for a visual journey in authentic Sicily! Lunch was planned in a typical restaurant, La Torreta de Nicosia, with the majestic Etna standing before us to reach the beautiful Taormina and the magnificent Atlantis Bay hotel, the feet in the water of Mazzaro beach, at the foot of the funicular leading to the old City.

The route of the third stage, looping around Taormina, allowed you to face the slopes of the northern slope of Etna, and to come across impressive lava flows and unreal scenery of magnificent beauty. Lunch took place at Etna Quota Mille, at the foot of the omnipresent giant. Arriving early in the afternoon, participants were then able to enjoy free time exploring the beautiful historic city of Taormina and its very attractive streets.

For the final stage, the southern slope of Etna, closest to the craters was on the program, but that was without counting on an unexpected snowstorm which prevented our progress towards the summit of the volcano only a few valiant crews managed to climb, braving the snowy road. The decision was made to reroute the route until lunch at Lo Zafferenetto, before heading to Syracuse and the Minareto Hotel for the awards evening which celebrated the big winners of this rally which experienced all climates and significant twists and turns. , for a week that will be remembered!