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Vincenzo Florio

Vincenzo Florio
  • Surname
    Florio
  • First name
    Vincenzo
  • Title
    Cavaliere
  • Date of birth
    18.03.1883
  • Date of death
    06.01.1959

Born in Palermo as the son of a senator, this wealthy shipowner, vintner, wine merchant and big landowner became a figure in motorsport history above all by launching the Targa Florio as the first major Italian road race in 1906 under the impact of James Gordon-Bennett's Coupe Internationale. In 1905, Florio had already donated a trophy for the Brescia - Cremona - Mantua - Brescia road race, the Coppa Florio. The Targa Florio, which was held from 1906 onwards in the Madonie region around the small Sicilian town of Cerda and was considered a very demanding test from the very beginning, was not followed until 1927 by the Mille Miglia, Italy's second legendary racing event on public roads.

Florio was also active as a racing driver himself in his day, relying on powerful Mercedes racing cars from 1904 onwards. The race named after him was held until 1978. In 1955 and 1958 to 1973, it counted as a round of the World Sports Car Championship. The word Targa, Italian for shield or plaque, refers to the trophy beckoning the winner, donated by Vincenzo Florio.

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