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| It's day three and the event entered the second half. Although the weather was fine just like day two, our body got cold because of the cold strong wind. The entrants were starting the engine and checking the condition of their car long before the departure as usual. It is important for the entrants to communicate with their car in the morning. The entrants set off from MARRIOTT NANKI-SHIRAHAMA at 7:00 am and headed to the first destination, EE Park in Gobo City. They received a stamp and took on PC competitions there and many local people came and cheered for the entrants despite the early hour. After leaving EE Park, they passed through two stamp points, Dojoji Temple and Shirasaki Ocean Park, then left Wakayama Prefecture to the next point, Kashihara Jingu Shrine in Nara Prefecture. The entrants prayed at Kashihara Jingu Shrine separately, then took a short break. In the meantime, some of the entrants had a personal mechanic accompanying them maintain their car. Not only the entrants but also the mechanics are hoping to complete the whole distance. The party received a stamp after the break, and got another stamp at Tanzan Jinja Shrine. They stopped for lunch at Miwa Yamamoto and had delicious Miwa Somen, then started the rally again to Meihan Sportsland. Today's last PC competition was held in the two cart courses of Meihan Sportsland and the settings were challenging. The entrants were carefully stepping on the measurement line set at the end of consecutive curves at the right timing. They looked like they were concentrating harder on the competition than usual. After finishing the competition, the party left Meihan Sportsland, traveling from Nara Prefecture to Hyogo Prefecture. Going across the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, they arrived in Awaji Island and headed to the last stamp point, Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park. They received a stamp at the park, then headed to the finish venue of day three, Grand Nikko Awaji. The entrants as well as the cars looked somewhat tired as they had been driving a long distance. Unlike modern cars, seats of a classic car are hard and its steering wheel is heavy, and in addition, some of classic cars have no roof. So it is natural that they get tired when driving a long distance. However, we shouldn't take it for granted that such classic cars work properly all the time. Thanks to the mechanics who maintain the cars until late at night during the event, the entrants can drive without any worries. If another team needs help with the car, the mechanics help each other and share parts and tools. The mechanics are hoping that all the entrants can complete the whole distance safely. On day four, the final day of the event, the entrants are driving approximately 385km from Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture to Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. The results of the competitions are important, but they have to focus on completing the rally first of all. I hope as many of the cars as possible can cross the finish line together. （text & photo／Mika Iwamoto） |
 ERMINI 1100 SPORT leaves Shirasaki Ocean Park after receiving stamp  JAGUAR XK120 OTS receives stamp at Kashihara Jingu Shrine  FIAT S.I.A.T.A. 508 competing PC competition at Meihan Sportsland  MORGAN 3 WHEELER driving on Awaji Sunset Line with view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge  Mechanics maintaining cars until late at night everyday. They help each other to fix cars they are not in charge |
