Ciccio
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2023 1:10 pm
Some of you will remember the Targa Florio thread from 2016 when James and I drove with two friends to Sicily with a dual quest to find information and immerse ourselves in the history of that motor race in such a wonderful place. Despite packing in lots of visits, drives through the fantastic mountain roads on the old course, visiting the pits at Cerda and the museums and meeting some terrific personalities of the race itself there was one small omission on the trip which I immediately regretted as soon as we turned to drive home. I forgot to visit the workshop of Ciccio. What made it worse was that Brendan and I walked past his workshop in Cefalu twice and still forgot to pop in for a look! It was such a regret that I vowed to go back one day and make it a priority to see this relatively unknown part of Porsche racing history. Unfortunately it is now too late as I learn of his passing this New Year. Another small piece of the TF history has sadly disappeared.
Ciccio was a local Sicilian shoemaker and before he was asked to help out Vic Elford among others I believe he had not made a racing shoe but his new improvised comfortable racing shoe was soon regarded as the best available and he eventually designed, custom fitted and supplied most of the top drivers with their racing shoes. There was a high regard for the man and his craft.
Here is Ciccio on the right next to Armando Floridia (1976 TF winner) outside his workshop in Cefalu.
Some of his creations and a view of the town of Cefalu and it’s beach. What a great place to work!
regions hours
Armando’s own Ciccio racing shoes
There are other images and information online for anyone wanting to know more about how he crafted his shoes. It’s another remarkable small piece of the story of Porsche racing history.
RIP.
Regards
Mike
Ciccio was a local Sicilian shoemaker and before he was asked to help out Vic Elford among others I believe he had not made a racing shoe but his new improvised comfortable racing shoe was soon regarded as the best available and he eventually designed, custom fitted and supplied most of the top drivers with their racing shoes. There was a high regard for the man and his craft.
Here is Ciccio on the right next to Armando Floridia (1976 TF winner) outside his workshop in Cefalu.
Some of his creations and a view of the town of Cefalu and it’s beach. What a great place to work!
regions hoursArmando’s own Ciccio racing shoes
There are other images and information online for anyone wanting to know more about how he crafted his shoes. It’s another remarkable small piece of the story of Porsche racing history.
RIP.
Regards
Mike
