Tales from Trinacria – Giro di Sicilia

If you’re yearning for the fun of being in a “madding crowd” of locals spontaneously reunited to celebrate a motoring event then your next petrolhead destination should definitely be the Giro di Sicilia. Sicilians care a lot about their Giro, they are proud of the long tradition that every year recalls the glory of one of the most famous Italian historic motorsport events born in 1912, the brainchild of Vincenzo Florio.

The great Palermitan entrepreneur started the Giro di Sicilia with the aim of proposing a new formula for the Targa Florio that he founded in 1906 and that after the first few years was suffering from a lack of quality crews. That’s why he introduced a tourist attraction in the form of an epic speed race, allowing the participants to simultaneously discover the beauty of his proud land. Today people still eagerly anticipate the Giro, just as they did in those early years. They talk about it in the towns while media outlets across the country announce it, so if you happen to be there in the days before the event and have the fortunate honour of belonging to one of the crews, you’ll realize just how privileged you are to be a part of it.

The start of the event itself is a feast. The people in the centre of Palermo don’t dare miss the race and the entire town enthusiastically turns out to witness the music, joy, colours and dance that all light up Piazza Verdi, the square on the left side of the majestic Massimo Theatre, a monumental symbol of the Sicilian capital.

The euphoria is tangible. It’s as if the national football team is about to kick off, or like the day the beloved Saint Rosalia, the town’s patron, is celebrated. This is just how it is. Sicily is a warm embrace that wraps you up and makes you feel like you never want to leave. It’s a place of contrasts that captures you with its passionate glances, its spectacular natural scenery and its architectural sophistication, built upon time and again by many a conqueror over the centuries. And the food! Oh the food!

The name Giro di Sicilia (Tour of Sicily) tells you all you need to know about the route: it may be a little different each year but it always covers the perimeter of the island, recalling the original journey of the historic speed race. From the Nebrodi mountains to the main urban centres, winding its way through small, typically Sicilian villages, crystal water beaches and Unesco heritage sites, the five stop journey is outlined by the Veteran Car Club Panormus to take full advantage of this spectacular territory.

The Gasap Group with one of its historic Carabinieri Alfas

This year the dates of the Giro were the 15th to the 19th of May and the first car crossed the red-carpeted start line on Wednesday at 8pm accompanied by nightfall, with the rest of the pack following at a pace of one car every 30 seconds. The cool night air was full of enthusiasm and admiration for the charm of these classic beauties that had gathered from across the globe.

In total there were 200 classics from all eras with even a few moderns thrown in for good measure, but the eldest that faced the whole exhausting route was a 1920s Fiat 503 Torpedo which managed the entire 900km plus route without so much as a complaint.

With its completely restored four-cylinder engine and tons of inimitable charm the car was brought back to life last Autumn and was without a shadow of a doubt the most deserving of the coveted Car & Classic prize. We can also say it’s a Sicilian native by adoption as it no doubt spent its entire life on the island since being first registered in Trapani in 1927.

As a main sponsor, Car & Classic assigns the prize to a particularly special or significant historic vehicle at every ASI Circuito Tricolore gathering whereby 18 of the finest events by Automotoclub Storico Italiano take place across Italy from April to October.

The first day of the Giro di Sicilia 2024 ended in the magical city of Cefalù in the north of the island, with the second day seeing the crews arrive in Catania, where they could climb Mount Etna and take in the stunning views. After this provocative volcanic venture it was the turn of Siracusa and Ortigia to host the crews with a stop at the karting track in Gela for some regularity time trials, a welcome addition that injects a little spicy competition spirit into proceedings. On the fourth day the incredible areas of the Greek Temples in Agrigento and Selinunte were enjoyed, before returning to Palermo the day after for the final lunch, back where it all started.

Among the most notable cars of the Giro di Sicilia was an artisanal Ermini Barchetta 1100 Sport from 1946 and a few pre-war classics too. Also the Gasap group of Pastrengo – which restores historic vehicles of the Carabinieri – didn’t miss the opportunity to feature some motorbikes and a few examples of their most popular models like the Alfa Romeo 33. The Giro also saw this year a dream becoming reality for a couple of disabled enthusiasts who took part in a specially modified Fiat 600.

It truly was a fabulous gathering which involved so many enthusiasts, clubs and professionals, all organized beautifully with heart, soul and passion and we already can’t wait for next year’s event!