History 1970s

1976 Rallye Internazionale di Sicilia – Targa Florio (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1976 Rallye Internazionale di Sicilia – Targa Florio

Date: March 27–28, 1976

Host Country: Italy

Surface: Tarmac

Total Distance: N/A

Total Starters: Approx. 65 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

Running in parallel to the famed Targa Florio circuit race, the 1976 Rallye Internazionale di Sicilia brought rally competition to Sicily’s mountain roads and coastal loops. Andrea Zanussi and Renato Mezzanotte delivered a sharp and consistent performance in the Opel Kadett GT/E, fending off local and international challengers across the winding asphalt landscape of southern Italy.

Route

Madonie Mountains: Tight switchbacks and rapid elevation changes tested both brakes and driver focus.
Palermo Coastal Sections: Fast tarmac sweepers with limited runoff and breathtaking drop-offs.
Village Pass-Throughs: Narrow, cobbled roads through historic towns left no room for error amid cheering fans.

The rally took place on the rugged island roads of Sicily, borrowing portions of the historic Targa Florio circuit and integrating additional mountainous loops through the interior.

Warm, dry conditions allowed teams to push hard on slick tarmac, but dust and gravel spillover from hillside shoulders remained a constant threat in corners.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Andrea Zanussi & Renato Mezzanotte · Opel Kadett GT/E
2nd Place
Raffaele Pinto & Gino Macaluso · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
Tonino Tognana & Massimo De Antoni · Lancia Beta Coupé

Zanussi’s calm approach and the Kadett’s nimble handling proved too strong for rivals, especially in technical mountain sections where consistency and tire preservation paid off.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Tight Technical Roads: Precision braking and throttle modulation were key in the island’s high-risk terrain.
  • Heat Management: Engine and brake cooling proved difficult on long climbs and under heavy deceleration.
  • Pacenote Timing: Blind crests and rapid corner sequences demanded perfect rhythm between driver and co-driver.

The 1976 Rallye di Sicilia was a celebration of classic Italian rallying—and Andrea Zanussi’s victory added a modern chapter to Sicily’s motorsport legacy.

← Previous Event 1976 Rallye de Portugal (Portugal)
Back to Events Index
1976 Rallye Elba (Italy) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.