La Festa Primavera 2023

Report

【Day3】23 Apr 2023

Second Half When Both Entrants and Cars Start to Get Tired

The rally entered the second half and the weather was nice on day three as well. The temperature was low but the strong sunlight was pouring down. In the hotel parking lot, just like yesterday the entrants and the mechanics were starting the engine early in the morning to check the condition of their cars. In the second half, whether they can complete the whole distance is important. So checking the condition while listening to the sound of the car in the morning is essential.



The entrants set off from KAGAYA at 8:00 am and crossed the Notojima Bridge to Noto Island. They went around the island while competing PC competitions on the way, then crossed the Notojima Bridge again and headed to Himi City in Toyama Prefecture.



After receiving a stamp at Himinoe Park in Himi City, the entrants returned to Ishikawa Prefecture, heading to Tsubata Town. They received the second stamp at Michi-no-Eki Kurikarajuku and headed to Kanazawa City.



The entrants competed a PC competition at Iozen Ski Resort in Kanazawa City, then had lunch at the KANAZAWA KOKUSAI HOTEL. There were many local people waiting for the arrival of the entrants at the hotel.



In the afternoon, the entrants traveled to Komatsu City, and took on a PC competition at Okuradake Kogen Ski Resort. After finishing the competition, they headed to the last stamp point of day three, the Motorcar Museum of Japan.



At the Motorcar Museum of Japan, the entrants were welcomed by many local people. Unlike the other stamp points, the entrants got out of the car and received a stamp while looking at the exhibits in the museum. After exploring the museum, they restarted the rally, heading to Kaga City.



The entrants arrived at Kaga City and were almost to the finish venue of day three, RURIKOH. While the driving distance of day three was relatively short, approximately 230km, the entrants had many PC competitions, so it was definitely a tense day for them.



The rally entered the second half, and unfortunately, some of the cars were forced to retire due to vehicle trouble. The rally is conducted under severe conditions for cars, driving not only on flat roads but also on mountain roads and many competitions on the way.



The mechanics play a big part for both the entrants and the cars. They maintain the cars from early morning until late at night during the four-day event. If there is something wrong with their car, the mechanics will rush to the car and fix it so that it can drive to the next point. Thanks to the mechanics, the cars can drive. The mechanics are also driving to the finish line with the entrants, hoping that as many of the cars as possible can complete the whole distance safely.



On day four, the final day of the event, the entrants are taking a route of approximately 284km, driving mainly in Ishikawa Prefecture and Fukui Prefecture and passing through Shiga Prefecture to Kyoto. They will be worried about the results of the competitions, but first of all, they have to focus on completing the rally. I hope all the cars that are participating at the moment can get to the finish line in Kyoto safely.

(text & photo/Mika Iwamoto)
ALFA ROMEO GIULIA SPIDER crossing Notojima Bridge to Noto Island
ALFA ROMEO GIULIA SPIDER crossing Notojima Bridge to Noto Island
FIAT FARINA receives stamp at Michi-no-Eki Kurikarajuku
FIAT FARINA receives stamp at Michi-no-Eki Kurikarajuku
CISITALIA COLOMBO BARCHETTA competing PC competition at Okuradake Kogen Ski Resort
CISITALIA COLOMBO BARCHETTA competing PC competition at Okuradake Kogen Ski Resort
JAGUAR XK120 OTS welcomed at Motorcar Museum of Japan
JAGUAR XK120 OTS welcomed at Motorcar Museum of Japan
Mechanic maintaining OSCA MT4 at hotel
Mechanic maintaining OSCA MT4 at hotel
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