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| On the final day, the weather was good in the morning. It always rains sometime during La Festa, and I don't even remember if there was a day when it didn't rain at all during the four-day event, including La Festa Mille Miglia in autumn. On the other hand, the weather this year turned out fine, and it held good for all the four days. Many convertibles participated in the event and the good weather itself makes a big difference to entrants' mood. The rally of the final day started from NESTA RESORT KOBE at 6:45 am and the first PC competition was held in the results open format in front of the hotel entrance. The entrants left the hotel and headed to the Central Circuit in Taka Town, Hyogo Prefecture. A PC competition was held in its entire circuit course and 13 consecutive measurement sections were set. The entrants competed hard the challenging competition. As in MEIHAN Sports Land on the previous day, they struggled with the difficult settings, but still passed through the finish line with a smile. The entrants left the Central Circuit and received a stamp at Kamikawa Town Hall in Kamikawa Town, Yamajiro no Sato in Asago City and Toyooka City Izushi Branch in Toyooka City, and then took a break at Japan Mongolia Folk Museum, the last point in Hyogo Prefecture. They traveled to Kyoto, and it's time for lunch. After enjoying the lunch at HOTEL & RESORTS KYOTO MIYAZU in Miyazu City, the entrants set off for the finish line. They passed through two stamp points, Kayabuki no sato Kitamura in Nantan City and Kenninji Temple in Kyoto City, then finally made their way to Okazaki Park in front of Heian Shrine. The finish line was on Jingumich (a street to shrine) leading to Heian Shrine in Okazaki Park. As the cars were arriving in the finish venue full of spectators waiting for the arrival and their excitement, the crowd gave a generous applause to the entrants and the cars, who managed to drive approximately 1,250 km for four days. The entrants all looked back on this journey and said, "We were lucky with the weather. Thank you for the best four days!" with a smile on their tanned face, and went through the finish gate. In the evening, the entrants enjoyed the last dinner of the journey with Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko and Kyoto Mayor Kadokawa. They smacked their lips over the delicious dinner and drinks, and the awards ceremony started. Mr. and Mrs. Takemoto, who won their fifth consecutive title two years ago, didn't participate this year, in addition , Italy's Mille Miglia winner Mozzi and Biacca dropped out of the rally. The entrants all had a chance to win this year's La Festa Primavera and many of them aimed for the title. The third place was the No. 58 of the Kobayashi father-daughter team. Mr. Kobayashi is a skillful driver and has participated in Mille Miglia in Italy. They steadily moved up the ranking from day one to finish in third place. The second place was the No. 80 of Yokota and Oki, the defending champion of La Festa Primavera. They did their best to aim for their second consecutive title but ended up in second place. Still, the fact remains that they achieved the excellent results. And this year's winner went to the No. 8 of the Yamazaki father-son team, last year's second-place winner won their first title ever. They finished in first place on day one and never gave up the lead throughout the four days, keeping their pace through to the end. As they gave a speech with a satisfied look on their face on the stage, the attendees gave them a round of warm applause. All the events ended and the La Festa Primavera 2019 closed. The entrants really enjoyed the idyllic landscapes of Japan under the good weather during this spring journey. The contrast between the mountains covered with fresh green leaves and the blue sky was beautiful and many vibrant azaleas were blooming. Both the impressive scenery and the time when the entrants interacted with local people will be a precious memory of these four days. The La Festa Primavera 2019 is scheduled to air on BS Fuji on June 29 (Sat.) at 1 pm. The autumn event La Festa Mille Miglia 2019 will be held on October 25. （text & photo：Mika Iwamoto） |
 Yamazaki father-son team keeps first place for four days to win first title ever  ALBANESI 1100 SPORT competing challenge PC competition in Central Circuit  MG MGA passing through Japan Mongolia Folk Museum  ALVIS 3LITER SPECIAL leaves Kayabuki no sato Kitamura after receiving stamp  JAGUAR XK120 DHC crosses finish line full of excitement on Jingumichi leading to Heian Shrine in Okazaki Park |
