Interview: Vic Elford—Part 1

Our European editor, Ed McDonough, had the great fortune to spend the better part of a week with the great all-round rally and race star, (as well as Sebring and Targa Florio winner) on the Giro de Sicilia, a place much loved by Elford, where he is revered nearly as much as the local hero, Nino Vaccarella. Throughout the running of the Giro and retro-Targa event, Sicilians were constantly bringing him copies of period magazines reporting his great runs in the Targa Florio, sharing their memories and presenting him with gifts. VRJ had the chance to not only drive with him, but to hear how he managed the Targa as well as his tough rally career. In the company of Vic’s wife, Anita, we heard some wonderful stories, and even had some driving instruction around the old Targa Florio circuit.

Let’s start by talking about F1. I remember seeing you driving the Antique Automobiles Cooper-Maserati owned by Colin Crabbe.