Ducktailing it to the Targa

[bjmullan]

We are now in Collesano just a couple of hundred metres from the famous hairpin. The Targa track is very very bad in places and completely gone just before Scillato. Beer, pizza and a rest are well deserved.

Again lots of pictures taken including outside the Palermo dealership where the RS was first registered. Getting them on DDK is nearly as challenging as navigating the circuit!

[Bootsy]

Mr Tipler is posting a good few on Facebook

[23e Heure]

Yep, she sure does go as good as she looks...

[jb]

It looks absolutely fabulous.
Thanks for posting the updates.
Have fun there and take care

[Darren65]

Yep, she sure does go as good as she looks...

....you should be so lucky!

[210bhp]

Today has been a long but rewarding day. Hot, and a fair bit of driving and a few surprises. We decided to check out the full route of the smaller (!) Madonie Circuit of the later Targa Florio's from 1932 to 1936 and again from 1951 to the last in 1977. 72 kilometres. The Madonie mountain range is certainly beautiful and there are some wonderful long racing curves amongst the twisties. How demanding the longer route (1906 to 1911) and the medium route (1919 to 1930) must have been with those early racing machines one can only imagine. There are a few memorials around the mountain roads to fatalities from the 20's right through to the 70's. A circuit to be respected with 295 corners on the short circuit.



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Sadly the circuit in the mountains is in very poor condition in places. There is no evidence of any maintainence anywhwere. The inter mountain road has been left to deteriorate.



In places it was like coming down a set of stairs.



If there was any sign of future repair work it didnt seem to be happening anytime soon.



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

To our disapointment the circuit eventually ended in the mountains and we had to detour several miles to get back on track.
The 4x4 across the valley is where the other part of the road continued.



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

However, back on track and there are some nice parts of road without too many problems.
The route is very well signposted.



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

A favourite part for historical photos is coming up the main street in Cerda. We had to try an recreate the shot but its not easy with everyday traffic but the RS managed to see off the green Punto.........



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Sorry to indulge you guys a bit more, my apologies, but the other part of the day was to do more work on my research of the car. Since taking ownership in 2003 I have tracked the history and all of the owners in Palermo (and later) and my desire has always been to bring the car back 'home' and take photos at all the owners addresses and this we have done. Sadly I have not managed to see or speak to them as they may all be in their 80's or beyond by now. In 2007 I did exchange information with the second owner but could not make contact this time.

However, the ultimate goal was to take a picture 'where it all began' at the site of the old Palermo Porsche Dealership (long since gone). This was quite a milestone for me and I took a while to drink in the significance of the RS being on the very spot where it was first sold.



Regards
Mike

[Gary71]

Excellent stuff. Proper road trip with additional emotional elements!

[911hillclimber]

Epic, what a holiday with cars.
So glad you are posting it all.

Looking forward to a picture fest when you can.

[Mitch]

Wonderful trip boys and great photos, thanks for sharing it all... looks like you're all having a ducking good time!

Keep it coming!

[hot66]

Superb Mike I know how long you've been waiting for this