The appointment with the Giro di Sicilia is back. A journey aboard historic cars to show participants the beauties of our island. An event that recalls the race wanted by the Florios in 1912 and which was born in conjunction with the legendary Targa. The Veteran car club Panormuswhich has been organizing it for some time, and which this year celebrates fifty years of activity, this morning at Villa Niscemi illustrated the news of the 33rd edition. Among others, Antonino Abird, president of the Veteran car club Panormus and federal councilor of Asi, Mariano Cuccia, technical director of the Veteran car club Panormus, the municipal councilor Fabrizio Ferrandelli, and the regional councilor for Transport, Alessandro Aricò, were present.
The Palermo Circuit is back
The presentation press conference
From Wednesday 15th May to Sunday 19th, around 200 historic cars will travel through Sicily with crews coming from all over Europe, especially from France, England, Germany, Belgium, America, Argentina and Japan. The Giro di Sicilia is an Asi-Fiva event (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), sponsored by the Municipality of Palermo, and is included in the national event Circuito Tricolore Asi (Italian historic Automotoclub). The president of the Veteran car club Panormus, Antonino Abird, is ready to go: “New this year is the recovery of the Palermo Circuit which, for some years, took place right in the Sicilian capital – he says – An important and peculiar page of Palermo motorsport linked to the Florios. From 1937 to 1940 the historic Targa arrived in Palermo, bringing the winning cars of Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti and Fiat driven by legendary champions such as Luigi Villoresi, Piero Taru, Franco Cortese and Giovanni Rocco along the avenues of the Real Parco della Favorita.” . Ninni Gambino from Palermo will also participate in the 2024 edition, disabled since he was 23 following an accident at work. He will participate in the event with a historic Fiat 600, a modified car for paraplegics, made available by the Veteran car club Panormus. The event will be colored by the Clown therapy association “Teniamoci per mano non-profit organisation”.
The program
Today and tomorrow will be two preview days with “Waiting for the Giro di Sicilia”. Today there will be space for the “Circuito di Palermo, memorial to Roberto Pirera”, a member of the Giro, who passed away during the pandemic. Cars will be able to travel along the Favoritaclosed to traffic from 4pm to 7pm. Tomorrow appointment with the Montepellegrino climb for the trophy dedicated to Salvo Panuri. Both today and tomorrow from 10am to 1pm at the Golf club, in Piazza Leoni, there will be technical checks (Administrative checks). The first stage starts on Wednesday: from 9am, at the Teatro Massimo, in Piazza Verdi, the 200 historic cars will be on display. The official departure is at 8pm. The president of Asi, Alberto Scuro, and representatives of the municipal and regional administration will be present.
The stages
First step: Casteldaccia, Trabia, Caccamo, Campofelice di Roccella. In Caccamo there will be a welcome moment with period clothes, while in Trabia, the Raimondo Lanza di Trabia trophy. Thursday, off to the second stage: starting from the Cefalù seafront, then proceeding towards the center for the “Ciccio” trophy. Stop in Finale di Pollina, Castel di Tusa, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Marina di Caronia, Acquedolci, Sant’Agata di Militello, Rocca di Caprileone, Capo d’Orlando, Sinagra, Ucria, Floresta, Santa Domenica Vittoria. After a short stop for lunch, we continue to Randazzo, Linguaglossa and Etna, where we can visit the Silvestri craters. Friday, off to the third stage: we start from Catania, direction Syracuse with a guided tour of Ortigia. We proceed to Palazzolo Acreide, Caltagirone. Stop at the international Kartrodromo of Gela (timed trials) and finally in Marina di Butera. Saturday, the fourth stage begins: from Marina di Butera to Palma di Montechiaro. Passage and stop at the Valley of the Temples for a cultural visit, Agrigento, Porto Empedocle. We proceed to the Scala dei Turchi (Realmonte) and Castelvetrano. In Selinunte cars will be able to enter the Archaeological Park. In Selinunte, the Giro di Sicilia awards ceremony will take place at 7.30 pm. The last stage is Sunday: departure from Partanna, then Alcamo, Partinico, Borgetto.
(Facebook photo)
