Some stories don’t begin with a plane tickets or  travel guide.  Some begin in winter – with cold mornings, warm cups of tea and a man who decides at (cough) *1 years old, that he wants to build one of the world’s most romantic, dangerous and beautiful racing circuits….in 1:32. 

This blog follows a journey shaped by passion, craftsmanship, and curiosity — a 90-metre hand-built Scalextric tribute to the legendary Targa Florio, and an adventure that has grown with every new light bulb idea and every new section of track.

It began in the North Wales Slot Car Racing Centre, where Mike is spending the winter shaping and routering sheets of MDF into curves, straights, climbs, and hairpins. What started as a hobby has quickly become a passion. As the track has grown, so has the excitement — every new section has formed a bridge between our small corner of Wales and the sprawling, sun-soaked roads of Sicily in Springtime.

And so, as an excuse to celebrate this milestone, the Team (i.e. Mike and a plus 1) have decided to take the next step: to visit Sicily and trace the real path of the Targa Florio — to walk the ghosted pits, wander the mountain villages, feel the echo of engines long silent, and discover the island’s beauty for ourselves.

This blog will be a record of the adventure:

• • the building of the track,

• • the stories behind the race and the racers,

• • travels through Palermo and the Madonie Mountains,

• • the food, the people, the little moments,

• • and the joy of discovering that passion, curiosity, and wonder don’t fade — they grow.

Whether you’re here because you love motorsport, travel, Sicily, storytelling, or simply cheering on a good adventure, I’m delighted to have you with us.

So join me, from the Welsh winter workshop to the roads that once tested legends.

This is a celebration of history, craftsmanship, milestones, and the simple thrill of saying: Let’s go and see it for ourselves.

Welcome to the journey.

Welcome to Chasing the Targa Florio.