Targa Florio for electric series
An event bearing the Targa Florio name is set to feature on the calendar of Stephane Ratel’s proposed GTX Tour when it kicks off in 2024. The electric vehicles taking part in the competition would run on sections of the public road used for the Italian sportscar classic in Sicily until its demise after 1977.
Ratel has reached an agreement with the Automobile Club d’italia, which holds the rights to the Targa, on an event that would incorporate hillclimbs, efficiency runs and a race on the Enna-pergusa circuit in Sicily. He wants it to kick off his experimental series each year in the traditional May calendar slot of an event won by Tazio Nuvolari, Stirling Moss and Vic Elford over the course of its history from 1906-77.
“Every year we will start in May with
GTX Targa Florio because I think it has a fantastic name and represents value for manufacturers,” said Ratel. “For the technical revolution in the new century we want to go back to the roots of motorsport. A Mercedes won the Targa Florio in 1924 and Mercedes could win it again in 2024.”
Ratel explained that the Targa would ultimately lead into a series of three GTX rounds per year, including a further event in Europe and one in North America. He has already outlined plans to revive the Parisberlin road race of 1901 as part of the series.
A planned launch of the GTX Tour in 2023 has been set back and the concept rationalised. Ratel originally announced in 2019 that the series would incorporate concept cars as well as machinery powered by hydrogen fuel-cells. But he explained that, after discussions with manufacturers, GTX will initially be run exclusively for electric sportscars.
He said he was already working with four manufacturers, one of which is known to be Audi, and had initiated discussions with a further two. The GTX Targa Florio would dovetail with the rally that has carried the famous name since 1977.