In 1906, Vincenzo Florio devised a race through the hills of Sicily. Sports Car racing had become popular in Italy and the Targa Florio was the most important race in Europe until Le Mans and the Mille Miglia were started in the 1920s.
Originally 92 miles per lap, they shortened the course to 45 miles until 1977 when the last all-out race occurred. Since the roads were tight and twisty, they started the cars at two-minute intervals. Besides being narrow, the roads were little more than mountain paths in places and drivers frequently had to compete with donkeys for space.
