Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.com
MOTOR AGE Vol. XXXIX, No. 25 June 23, 1921
Europe’s Hardest Race Goes to Fiat; Mercedes Is Second
Mountain Course of Targa Florio Is Supreme Test for Cars and Drivers
By W. F. BRADLEY European Correspondent of MOTOR AGE.
PALERMO, SICILY, May 31 – Fiat defeated Mercedes in the first European automobile race open to late enemy countries. The occasion was the twelfth annual Florio Targa 268-mile around a mountainous course on the Island of Sicily. Count Masetti, an amateur, covered his distance on a 300-cu. in. racing Fiat in 7 hrs. 21 min. 5 sec., or at an average of 36½ miles, thus winning first prize and breaking all previous records.
A week before the closing of entries the German Mercedes Company announced that it would take advantage of the open rules to enter this race, and a team was sent comprising three 6-cylinder cars of 105 by 140 mm. bore and stroke, to be driven by Lautenschlager, twice winner of the French Grand Prix; Seiler, and Gros. No expense was spared to secure success in the race, and in view of the high quality of the cars and the reputation of the drivers, it appeared doubtful if the Italians, who were about thirty strong, could win the trophy. The Bosch Magneto Co. also make an important effort by offering big money prizes and undertaking to fit magnetos free to all Italian cars.
This race resolved itself into a duel between Seiler, the German driver of the Mercedes, and Masetti on the Indianapolis Fiat. On the first of the four laps the German led by 19 sec. At half distance Masetti had worked his Fiat into the leading position with a margin of 2 min. 29 sec. On the third lap the German closed up until the Italian had a lead of less than one minute, but the Mercedes weakened toward the ends and the Fiat finished with an advance of 6 min. 11 sec. Compared with track performance the average looks low, but the race was one of the hardest ever run in Europe, for more than 6,000 sharp turns had to be negotiated in the 268 miles, and the only level portion of the course was very rough.
Driver Car Displacement Cu. In. Time
Masetti-Fiat 300 7.21.05
Seiler-Mercedes 460 7.27.16
Sivocci-Alfa-Romeo 274 7.31.43
Ferraii-Alfa-Romeo 274 7.73.45
Foresti-Itala 183 7.34.37
Moriandi-Itala 183 7.39.34
Minoia-Fiat 183 7.47.46
Ceirano—Ceirano 183 7.59.12
Bergese-Fiat 120 8.06.34
Arnone-Ceirano 183 8.11.11
Febo-Fiat 120 8.36.59
Fotos. Above – Bergese on the 10-15 hp. Fiat, first in the 120 cu. in. class, at 33 miles an hour, in the Targa Florio race. Below – Minoia on the 1920 type 183 cu. in. Fiat in the Targa Florio race.
