History 1970s

1979 Targa Florio – Rally di Sicilia (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1979 Targa Florio – Rally di Sicilia

Date: March 16–18, 1979

Host Country: Italy

Surface: Tarmac

Total Distance: ~800 km

Total Starters: Approx. 70 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

A modern rally tribute to one of motorsport’s oldest and most historic road races, the 1979 Targa Florio Rally ran on the tight, twisting mountain roads of Sicily. Featuring endless corners and elevation changes, the event demanded maximum precision. Tony Carello and Michele Perlasca delivered a strong, composed performance in the Lancia Stratos HF, a car bred for Italian tarmac, claiming victory against stiff local and international competition.

Route

Cerda to Collesano: Tight switchbacks and narrow lanes with minimal runoff.
Caltavuturo Stage: High-speed tarmac descent demanding absolute confidence in braking zones.
Madonie Highlands: Long climbs and steep drops kept drivers constantly adjusting rhythm and gearwork.

The route followed sections of the famed Piccolo Circuito delle Madonie, winding through Sicilian villages, ridges, and olive groves, with non-stop corners and few opportunities for rest.

Spring sunshine provided mostly dry conditions, but dust, debris, and tight village crossings made for a technical and high-risk environment.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Tony Carello & Michele Perlasca · Lancia Stratos HF
2nd Place
Adartico Vudafieri & Luigi Pirollo · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
Mauro Pregliasco & Carlo Capone · Opel Kadett GT/E

Carello’s mastery of the Stratos on narrow tarmac proved unbeatable in Sicily, with clean lines and consistent stage pace overcoming the field on one of Italy’s most historic courses.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Corner Density: The sheer number of tight turns placed strain on pacenote delivery and driver concentration.
  • Urban Sections: Narrow village roads with blind exits tested timing and required total car control.
  • Brake Management: Constant deceleration over long descents pushed brake systems to their limits.

The 1979 Targa Florio proved a celebration of Sicily’s motorsport heritage—Carello’s win added another chapter to the Stratos’ legacy on home soil.

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