COPPA FLORIO

The Coppa Florio was the name assumed starting from 1905 by a car competition that was already taking place starting from 1900.

The name came from the decision of Vincenzo Florio to institute a prize of 50,000 lire and a cup by the Parisian Polak.

The Cup would be definitively awarded to the manufacturer that had won several times over a period of 7 editions (starting from that of 1905). Since 7 different brands established themselves, it was only in the eighth edition (1925) that Peugeot managed to win the cup.

In its history, the race has been held on different tracks: the Brescia circuit, the Bologna circuit, the Madonie circuit, concurrently with the Targa Florio and the Saint-Brieuc circuit, in France.

In this umpteenth editorial effort Salvatore Requirez explores, through deeds and documents, the history of the race, from the first pioneering years dating back to the dawn of the new century up to the last edition of 1981, retracing the three fundamental cycles into which the 22 editions are divided, with specific reference to the various regulations in force from time to time.

Numerous archive photos, many of which unpublished, make up a unique iconographic apparatus that finds precise correspondence in a fluid text where the cars protagonists of the race and the great champions who drove them are illustrated.

Each race for the Coppa Florio, in the various circuits that marked its history, in Italy as in France, is meticulously reconstructed thanks to an engaging chronicle, directly extracted from the official chronology of the time and parallel to the economic and sporting events that saw the family of Palermo entrepreneurs and the positions held by Vincenzo in the national and international motoring scene.

A valuable work that cannot be missing in the libraries of motoring enthusiasts.