Targa Classica Australia provides car enthusiasts seeking the perfect motoring experience with a 4-day festival that excites and delights all the senses, and is coming to Mt Hotham on Tuesday 28 March!
Victoria’s great driving roads, like the Great Alpine Road, provide the pathway to adventure, where competitors can unleash their passion, take in the sights of our main regional tourist destinations, enjoy good food and wine and feel part of an event that is built on over 100 years of European driving history. Establishing long-lasting friendships along the way.
Mt Hotham is set to recreate the passion of the legendary Targa Florio, Sicily, with the Targa Classica winding its way up the stunning Great Alpine Road in late March.
With a love of classic cars the central theme for this spectacular event, car enthusiasts will not want to miss being part of this event, built on over 100 years of European classic driving history.
In its fifth year in Australia, the Targa Classica 2023 has attracted 220 competitors from all over Australia and NZ. Vintage classics join modern supercars cars to take on the challenge as they wind their way to top of the mountain in the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix.
One of the highlights will be the participation of two rare 1927 Bugattis, along with Jaguars, Lancias, Porsches, Austin Healeys, Lotuses, Mercedes and Maseratis, just to name a few.
Skill and precision
Targa Classica follows the European format that allows the enjoyment of cars with precision rather than speed. The skills of drivers and navigators are tested as they drive to set average speeds and meet exact times over set stages in different locations, including the Mt Hotham village. Drivers can compete in two categories:
- Classica Trofeo – Classic cars pre 1976, and
- Legend Trofeo - Classic cars post 1976 to modern.
Each category will follow the same course and take in the same stages. The event covers around 1000kms over four days and involves 70–80 competition stages.
Event details
Targa Classica participants will arrive at Mt Hotham village from around 4:00pm on Tuesday 28 March 2023.
Time trials will be held at Whiteys car park from 4pm, with skill and precision the name of the game as competitors attempt to accurately drive short sections in exactly the correct set time (Prove Cronometrate).
The cars will be on display in the Corral carpark, and spectators can view the vehicles and meet the competitors.
The SnowBird will be hosting with a special outdoor bar and spectators who wish to stay overnight can have dinner at The General. For accommodation options please check the Mt Hotham website.
On Wednesday morning (8:00-9:00am), spectators can watch the tour depart the village and head back down the mountain to north-central Victoria, then on to their ultimate destination of the MCG.
Find out more here.