Porsche’s 911 RSR Takes Home Victory in Final Targa Florio Thanks to Rocks and Driver Recklessness

The Targa Florio, a historic race held in Sicily since 1906, was known for its treacherous roads and high speeds. By the 1970s, the race had evolved to reach speeds of up to 80mph, making it a thrilling but dangerous event. The 1973 race was to be the last FIA World Sportscar Championship running, and it did not disappoint.

The race began with a lap of honour by 27 historic Alfa Romeos, stirring up the massive crowd of up to 700,000 spectators. Rolf Stommelen took the lead in Alfa’s sole flat-12 T33, but the real action began on lap three of 11. Jacky Ickx’s Ferrari 312 was taken out by a rock, while the other Ferrari suffered a gearbox broken by Arturo Merzario’s recklessness. The T33, now with Andrea de Adamich, hit a milestone during a hasty lapping.

The lead then fell to the Porsche 911 RSR of Gijs van Lennep and Herbert Müller, who pulled away from the Lancia Stratos of rallyists Sandro Munari and Jean-Claude Andruet. The Stratos kept pitting to fix their seat, robbing us of an interesting battle. Despite no major incidents being reported, a driver and a fan had tragically lost their lives during the race.

The Targa Florio had been a glorious event, but it was clear that it couldn’t continue due to the risks involved. The Porsche 911 RSR had emerged victorious thanks to a combination of skillful driving and luck in avoiding the dangers of the race.

The legacy of the Targa Florio lives on, however, as a testament to the bravery and skill of the drivers who competed in it. The race may be over, but its impact on the world of motorsports will never be forgotten.