La Festa Primavera 2017

Report

【Day1】14 Apr 2017

La Festa Primavera 2017 kicks off with the coming of spring

This year La Festa Primavera 2017 marks its ninth year. Under the bright blue sky, as many as some 60 historic cars started the rally energetically at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya. This year's rally will run on a route of approximately 1,100 km over 4 days, starting from Nagoya and traveling to Mie, Wakayama, Nara, Shiga, Fukui, and to Kyoto. Entrants will interact with local people at stamp points, competition venues, or along the streets of each area and race toward to the finish line.

On day one of the event, April 14, the entrants departed from Atsuta Shrine at noon and headed to NTP Nagoya Toyopet. A PC competition (a measurement competition to drive a designated section at a designated time in seconds) took place there with cheers from many spectators. In a PC competition, since an accuracy of between 1/100 to 1/1000 second is required, each entrant showed a serious look on their face when standing at the start line and a driver and a co-driver tried to synchronize their timing. Not just to complete the race, to achieve a good result in a competition is also important for the entrants. Each team aims for the top-three finish, or even to be the winner.

They passed through the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, a stamp point, and left Nagoya for Isshindenjinai Town in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Many local people were waiting for the arrival of the entrants in front of Takada Honzan Senju-ji Temple. As the cars arrived there, little children welcomed them, cheering and waving flags.

The entrants left Tsu City for the Toba Observation deck, the final stamp point and PC competition venue for day one, by way of Geku Sando, an approach to the Ise Jingu. They got their card stamped by Ama, Japanese female shellfish divers, then competed in the PC competition. Even after the final competition, they showed no signs of fatigue and seemed to be concentrating on driving to the finish.

It was warm and sunny throughout the day and cherry blossoms were still blooming on the mountains. Seeing the peaceful and beautiful scenery while getting behind the wheel, we rediscovered the beauty of spring in Japan. During the rally, the entrants were warmly greeted with cheers everywhere and the cheers lifted their spirits.

On day two, the rally will take place on a course of approximately 320 km, starting from Shima City, Mie Prefecture and heading to Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Judging from the course and the weather, tomorrow is going to be a tough day.

(text & photo:Mika Iwamoto)
BUGATTI T13 BRESCIA starts rally energetically at Atsuta Shrine
BUGATTI T13 BRESCIA starts rally energetically at Atsuta Shrine
Prayer for traffic safety before start
Prayer for traffic safety before start
MG PA warmly welcomed in Isshindenjinai Town
MG PA warmly welcomed in Isshindenjinai Town
Entrants in FIAT FARINA MM waving to children
Entrants in FIAT FARINA MM waving to children
SIMCA 8 SPORTS BARCHETTA competing in open PC competition at Toba Observation deck
SIMCA 8 SPORTS BARCHETTA competing in open PC competition at Toba Observation deck
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