Targa Florio 1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33

[@PC-lv8dq]

You know what i really liked about that romantic era? Yes, there was money involved, but it was mainly about the passion for motorracing. The drivers, although they needed more bravery than nowadays, more seemed ordinary men that you could ask for a signature or even do a quick conversation with if you were lucky, now it all really has become something very stiff, only reserved for the elite of the elite, where you can't actually talk to or compare yourself to as a casual fan. It used to be a little bit more 'left wing'. I don't say i have no respect for the drivers nowadays, but for me these guys stay the real heroes forever. End of the '60s, begin '70s was the most dangerous but also the most beautiful of all motorsport eras. Thx for posting this little gem of a movie!

[@team3383]

Every single successful spectator sport on the planet has been taken over by "federations" that rule them and sell them out for TV rights for BIG money. This is why motorsport has become so regulated and boring now. Todays drivers aren't people with a life, they start driving competitively at the age of 5 or 6 and know nothing else. Its sad. Business and corporations have taken over. I used to enjoy watching International Rugger games when you knew that the week after the top games the men playing would all be back at work, most in manual jobs, some in shops etc. Then it turned professional and the game changed, the people changed the players look like body builders etc. Sad sad world. I soumd like my forefathers, but boy do I understand them now when they said the same things about us !!!

[@mikefannon6994]

Yes. not that long ago you could drive your MG, Triumph, 240Z, Jag, etc. to an SCCA race, paint on a number, tape the headlights, strap on your helmet, and go racing! TV money has killed all amateur sports. Even Olympics.

[@donniecapobianco8794]

it's funny cause racing competitions started out as an event of the elites.

[@GTE_Channel]

And in theory anyone could build a good racing car in his own shed. What a great times this must have been

[@Toby_the_Glen]

Sponsors changed motorsport?

[@paulsnider174]

This piece is from, in my opinion, the best documentary ever on motor racing, "The Speed Merchants" by Michael Keyser. Shot in 1972, it debuted at Watkins Glen during the 1973 6Hour/Can-Am weekend where I saw it while I was there photographing a Porsche 917 driver for publicity. I miss the simplicity, and cars of those times.

[@kiwi335d]

Thanks for generously recommending this video Neil Clifford.

[@Demetris.Yiokkas]

Best ever documentary in motor sport. Captures the romantic era like no other. Thanks Michael Keyser

[@Bepis13]

I had no clue this type of video ever existed. My god

[@Porsche996driver]

Vic Elford a living legend. Pick up one of his driving books and appreciate his rally skills in the earliest 911s in the mid-‘60s. When men were men and sheep were scared.

[@farmer_siv]

Niel Clifford sent me here. 😅

[@andtip]

Me too 😂

[@bh-pn1tr]

Was that Neil with an 'e'? If so, it's the same for me!

[@salvatorep.1685]

Questo non è un documentario ma un monumento.

[@MsLilyhorse]

In so many ways it was, not perfect, but more relaxed. I miss those days. So much tension and anxiety these days. Miss the Can Am racing too.

[@RRVCrinale]

I know why this era went away. Doesn't stop me missing it.

[@rockets4kids]

4:16 Too many people were dying.

[@davidmarshall6409]

Fantastic film. Thanks for the recommendation Neil Clifford.

[@1258-Eckhart]

Thanks so much for uploading this!

[@bambinello100]

grazie x questo video ho rivissuto l'emozione del duello fra Ferrari e l'Alfa di Galli

[@paladino444]

Italy, Sicily, Italians, Sicilians.... and racing. There simply has never been a country so generous to racing and I say that as an American. Those people are just special when it comes to cars and racing.

[@pingsprayer7314]

we need more footage of this greatest race of all!! great video!

[@fernweh8709]

It would be incredible to watch a full lap

[@TheSeeka]

One of my favourite videos on classic Motorsport. I keep watching it over and over again. As an Alfa driver it stirs my soul. Thank you.

[@vinibisetto]

Bravo! Macchina stupenda!

[@alastairwhite1607]

Thanks Neil

[@haraldschon7794]

Alfa Romeö is rocking!

[@chrisdooley6468]

The poor local lol. Love Sicily. Such a wonderful people and gorgeous scenery

[@RickyJr46]

What a fantastic tale, Vic!

[@palmaleter252]

Rest in Peace Vic Elford

[@fabrizioc1411]

Che tempi...😍

[@andysedgley]

Sempre nei nostri cuori

[@chriskelleher349]

Helmut Marko with some deserved accolades. He's still in the game 50 years later in 2020. Vic Elford still healthy too last I heard.

[@terrystevens5261]

Sadly he developed cancer about a year after your post and passed away in 2022. R.I.P.

[@paullacey2999]

Fantastic!I was too young for this but i love the total madness of it all!Vic Elford is one of my favourite drivers,multi talented in all manner of cars racing and rallying.Proper sounding cars not popping and banging every other bend......Great Film!

[@GalavantT]

Fenomenal footage from that golden era, much obliged to hear those sounds.

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

Agreed, very cool! Events like that are long gone!! Love seeing the GTVs out there!

[@ptomptang8801]

brilliant little film of legendary race

[@jpkatz1435]

Except, sometimes, too much "music", when the the car itself is the music we want to hear.

[@ZxRx7]

God, engine sounds were so intoxicating during this era.

[@signorpippistrello]

5:15 Well, he wouldn’t. Later that year a stone went straight through his visor resulting in the loss of an eye and ultimately ending his driver career. But he still holds the lap record! Great video btw, thanks for sharing it!

[@McLarenMercedes]

Yes, there was Can-Am too at that time. Can-Am had no upper displacement limit so the most powerful cars had 800hp engines, until Porsche arrived with their 917-10 turbo which developed more than 900hp. In USAC racing (Indycars were called that back then) they did a 200mph average speed lap (322km/h) in Ontario in 1972. The car developed around 1100hp and did around 240mph (388km/h) on the straights. Sporscar racing was pretty hairy too. Wish I had been alive back then. Pure racing.

[@TheFokker03]

a true classic road race,sorely missed.

[@amish15552]

"The trick at the Targa Florio, aside from staying on the road, is to go as fast as possible for as long as possible"...hmmm, that simple, ehh Vic?

[@leonardotoro9386]

Thanks to load this stuff on youtube!! Such a good ancient visual document!! Pure racing, romantic era of motoring sport unthinkable nowadays!!! why I didn´t see this before?? now is when I start to live...

[@michaelrobinson114]

Truly wonderful video , thank you @Neil Clifford

[@Pfessor_Moriarty]

God be with the days...... great piece on the Targa.

[@seanhammon6639]

Wow. How wonderful. What a magnificent advert for our Italian brothers and sisters.

[@kickerman8]

Thumbs up if you want Speed channel to start playing things like this again!

[@tominator23]

Lol, thumbs up if you want speed channel again!

[@GeorgesMiniatureCars]

Fantastic film! Love seeing vintage racing and hearing the stories about the drivers.

[@swankboy]

Sad that 1972 seems like a better time.

[@jcoast1]

better time for all who survived

[@LRiper]

Nobody is interested in motorsport racing nowadays. Young people only care about Instagram, Facebook and smartphones.

[@cristogreyling4736]

Pretty Penny Hate Doctor it was a better time...

[@massimobernardo-]

bellissimo grazie

[@futuretiger]

Great onboard footage!

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Those cars... every single one of them would be a centerpiece at an auction nowadays 🤑

[@JONACAN]

What a beautiful video.

[@ManuelLopez-sb3eo]

Muy peligroso, pero bellísimo espectáculo. Lancia Fulvia y, sobre todo, Alfa Romeo 105, siempre en mi corazón.

[@joako2706]

Sheer lunacy !That is what modern motorsports needs.

[@achilleribolla88]

grande filmato con commento del mitico Vic Elford

[@kuseetha.]

Amazing video, love it!!

[@HellishPunch]

Rip Nanni Galli

[@terrystevens5261]

Quite a few GP drivers of the era in this race. Marko was Elfords team mate in sports cars and lost an eye in 1972 driving for BRM in the French GP when a stone went through his visor. Elfords last GP was Germany 1971 also for BRM.

[@fidan2fast]

..lat year... huh... last year I hit a local... :O

[@jinxed_jinxed_3443]

But the locals loved the race so much, they didn't mind being run over now and then :)

[@carstenvang9193]

Nobody got hurt. Just having a nice time.

[@llamamanism]

The victim probably felt really privileged to be hit by a famous driver in an Italian Alfa

[@studiocalder818]

Targa Florio for cars was like Isle of Man for mbikes

[@MDDeGrande1994]

Except with Grande layout, Targa Florio was much longer.

[@gmt3654]

great documentation 👍

[@jayswisher575]

Good ole days man...

[@rrrmo]

Che tempi !

[@giovannifasano5868]

rrrmo targa florio72cero anch'io Fasano Giovanni abhart 2000

[@giovannifasano5868]

lo sanno tutti ln Sicilia che oh corso 71 72fiat abhart 2000prototipo Fasano Giovanni oggi 84anni grazie

[@giovannifasano5868]

liveblog.sport.sky.it/Event/GP_Giappone_le_Libere_1_e_2_del_venerdi

[@studiocalder818]

@@giovannifasano5868 grande. Complimenti

[@shaggy69001]

"like a man possessed" well done

[@rothlis18]

When there was no fear of being sued. Because back then one owned their responsibility and acceptance of risk. Nor did every kid get a medal back then either.

[@caribman10]

Love the VW service bus parked nearly on the cornering line at 6:00. Also, unsaid, the "spectators" field-strip any abandoned race cars on the circuit.

[@cramersclassics]

Fantastic!

[@shankarbalan3813]

Motor Racing ans Sports car driving in those days required real skill. Now most of the work is done by computer. Anyone can own or drive a sports car nowadays. But the magic is gone.

[@lenniethedogsparty]

This film makes me think what a safe, sanitised environment we have now, not just in motor racing but everywhere: a world for women. But not Sicilian women, apparently!

[@LRiper]

You are absolutely right!

[@gustavoflorio5383]

The death of a innocent human bean is never a good thing. Just ask the loved ones of those drivers.

[@fernandomayer2232]

Who is the crazy man that give "no like" in this video? AMAZING Vídeo!!

[@marinjeam]

This footage is the "Godfather" of car documentaries.You can smell the cars and Sicilian wine.

[@Ianzandvoort]

I saw Toine Hezemans, 3 rd in 1972

[@frankvdkruijs812]

Completely right! The man standing having the discussion. Very successfull in these cars.

[@Ghibliopencup]

Fantatstic!!!!

[@scuderiagrifoni8380]

Neil Clifford sent me here...

[@eugeniosantillangutierrez6519]

🏁 The Man, his machine and God 🏁

[@GinoFoto]

impressionanti

[@alechall7082]

"Last year *ha*, last year I hit a local"

[@secretagentbloke]

RIP Quick Vic

[@Tom_Hadler]

Great video. It's 1970 not 72, according to the in video title

[@tangerinedream7211]

They didn't know then the last full championship Targa would be next year. Oh for a time machine.

[@paullacey2999]

Much missed Vic.You could hustle a car!

[@damondaniel4086]

Did not think you could make "Bring A Trailer" much cooler but....This is great!!!

[@bonskiiTV]

Great video!

[@billhall830]

I would love to see speed channel start having a program that showed these great times in autosport. Not sure if Speed is capable anymore though.

[@bobk3432]

DK Engineering has one of these Tipo 33s for sale, Sep 10, 2023.

[@andysedgley]

This is the Circuito de la Sierra from the Gran Turismo video game!

[@energyasylum997]

@00:42 Sporting them butt-huggers! Rock on pappy.

[@Yodaandhislightsabre]

Didn't know Helmut Marko was a racer. Very nice

[@terrystevens5261]

He was also Vics team mate in sports cars. Marko lost an eye while driving for BRM in the French GP in 1972. a stone was thrown up by possibly Ronnie Petersons car and it went through Markos visor . as a result a lot of work was done to improve the safety of helmet visors.

[@jimmyolsenschannel6263]

Great documentary. Who wrote and played the soundtrack?

[@craigyirush3492]

Why not give credit to those who made this documentary by saying where you got this clip from?

[@archibaldchimpin]

Helmut was a good racer till he lost his eye,

[@JimVanMorrissey]

Anybody able to identify the delightful acoustic guitar & pan flute music? Shazam yields nothing.

[@RunDub]

This is part of a film called The Speed Merchants, and the music is simply the soundtrack to the film. I know there was a record album of it, and I believe it is available on cd. Try Amazon!

[@bluzeke]

Free soundtrack download at Autosports Marketing website.

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

Dust from the Sahara covered Sicily. That's pretty incredible.

[@elsacane8495]

Lucky Baldwin Actually sand particles . Lived in Malta south of Sicily and people covered their cars when the strong winds laden with some sand were swept northwards from Tunisia!

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

@@elsacane8495 sand... that almost seems impossible that it could travel that far. Those winds must be intense.

[@clinttube]

That's nothing. We get dust clouds from the Sahara in the Southeastern U.S. regularly. Every few years there will be an absolutely spectacular red sunset or few in the late summer. It is amazing it travels that far but every year you're talking millions of tons of dust around the Caribbean and Florida. Sometimes it can affect the local/regional weather but mainly limits hurricanes.

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

@clinttube Wow, that is even more incredible. I've never heard of that before. I'm in S Arizona and when the air's really dusty here, we get 360 degree sunsets. The whole horizon lights up. Is pretty cool.

[@clinttube]

@@LuckyBaldwin777 yeah I was out there last year and got to see something somewhat similar to what you're talking about in phoenix. It was pretty sweet

[@symustafa1996]

Don't forget the Carrera Panamericana.

[@mattipuh]

awesome, thanks! :)

[@srntld]

do you know what film this is from? thanks

[@hughlebaron129]

who is the narrator please? great stuff

[@hughlebaron129]

To Sam Lancaster - many thanks for your reply. Last year I went to Sicily and rode around the Targa roads on my motorcycle. Hard to imagine doing this at speed. What an era! Best, Hugh

[@bluzeke]

Vic Elford

[@scottscottsdale7868]

The real difficulty might be the small children waiting around the next corner.

[@dickfitzwelliner2807]

Yeah that's Joe Bidens problem

[@axelknutt5065]

It’s a pity that 50+ years later, that Marko is more well-known than Vic Elford. VE is up there with Jackie Ickx as Motorsport legends

[@therealsharps]

Even the title says 1970.... Doh

[@ranocchio61]

The Speed Merchants. By Michael Keyser

[@JohnnyAckgpl2006]

Go vic go

[@ev9466]

The seventies... when you're playing your game of scopone scientifico at the cafe and race cars are zipping past the street.

[@hayabusa27]

You think we have it good these days, think again....

[@Rog5446]

Vic Elford let us into the secret of this race. You have to drive as fast as possible, for as long as possible. So completely different than any other race then?

[@axelknutt5065]

Today I learnt “Carlo Kitty” not Chitty as I’ve always pronounced it

[@DoctorNumber46]

"and last year I hit a local" THAT'S not part of the sport!

[@rockets4kids]

That was a part of motor racing from the beginning. And it continued at least through Group B.

[@MrPedur]

let the engine play the tune , not musicians :-(

[@MDDeGrande1994]

I wonder how quick the F1 car (e. g. Ferrari F2004 or Williams BMW FW26) would lap the whole circuit.

[@ZxRx7]

That is exactly it. Nowadays it is all about what the car can do, talent and courage is barley made use of with these new cars making them boring as hell. During the documentary's era it was all about the drivers, their talent and their courage. They were true heroes.