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| Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the La Festa Primavera 2018 kicked off with the arrival of spring. Like last year, the weather was clear and pleasant and no less than some 65 cars set off briskly from Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya. This year's spring journey takes a route of approximately 1,100 km, traveling around Nagoya, Mie, Wakayama, Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto for four days. The entrants run through to the finish line, interacting with local people looking forward to this once-a-year journey and meeting new people along the way. On day one, 13th, the party set off from Atsuta Shrine at noon and headed to NTP Nagoya Toyopet. They competed in a PC competition (a measurement competition to drive a designated section in a designated time in seconds) there, and every time each result was announced on the spot, the entrants were pleased with it or disappointed, and responded to the cheers from spectators. In a PC competition, participants compete on accuracy of from 1/100 to 1/1000 second, and the results, the difference between the set time and competitors' time, are not usually announced on the spot, while this event holds some open competitions each day at any of the points. Open PC competitions are easy to understand for spectators, but at the same it puts pressure on competitors. Every team was concentrating on the competition as each result is important to dictate the final rankings. The entrants passed through a stamp point in the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and left Nagoya for Isshindenjinai Town, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. A lot of local people were waiting to cheer for the entrants in front of Takada Honzan Senjuji Temple, designated as a national treasure last fall, and little children also cheered them on with a flag. After finishing a competition in Messe Wing Mie, the entrants left Tsu City. They passed through a stamp point in Geku Sando, an approach to the Ise Jingu Shrine, and headed to the Toba Observation deck for the last competition on this day. They got a stamp first at the observation deck, then competed in the PC competition, which was also held in the results open format. They must have been tired from the approximately 220-km traveling, but never showed it and concentrated on the competition through to the end. Unfortunately, the party missed cherry blossoms in full bloom at each point or along the way because cherry trees started to bloom earlier than usual this year. However, they had a lot of chances to see the vigorous and beautiful scenery of nature including the mountains where vibrant green leaves flourish. In addition, everywhere they went, the people there warmly welcomed them with a smile. The 10th spring journey will also be memorable four days. Day two will take a route of approximately 300 km, starting in Shima City, Mie Prefecture and heading to Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture. I hope the weather will hold until everyone reaches the finish line. （text & photo：Mika Iwamoto） |
 STANGUELLINI S 1100 sets off briskly from Atsuta Shrine  Prayer for traffic safety before start  HEALEY SILVERSTONE welcomed by Tsu City Mayor Maeba in front of Takada Honzan Senjuji Temple  BANDINI 750S SILURO cheered by little children  PORSCHE 356C competes in open PC competition at Toba Observation deck |
