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| The final day, April 18, the weather was fairly good with a little chill in the air. Although the entrants cared about their race results in the past three days, they departed from Kyoto with the look on their faces that they wanted to enjoy the final race safely. Passing through the Green Park Omoide no Mori in Shiga, the entrants traveled to Kumagawajuku, Fukui. A PC competition ( a measurement competition to drive a designated section in a designated time ) took place opened to the public in Kumagawajuku. When the results were announced on the spot, not only the entrants but also the spectators really got excited and they applauded the two teams which clocked exactly 0.00. Leaving Kumagawajuku, the entrants ran on the Rainbow Road, which offers the views of the Sea of Japan and Mikatagoko Lake, and then stopped for lunch near Lake Biwa in Shiga. This is the first time La Festa Primavera takes a route along the Sea of Japan. Running on a new course is really enjoyable for regular entrants, not to mention first-time entrants. It feels like this four-day race tells us there is a lot of beautiful scenery in Japan that we have never seen before. The entrants left the XIV Biwako where they had lunch, passing through Hikone Castle, returning to Kyoto. They visited the Heian Shrine first, and then headed to the Kyoto City Office, the finish line. There were already many spectators eagerly waiting for the arrival of the first car. When the cars entered one after another to the venue filled with excitement, cheers arose and applause greeted the entrants and the cars that completed the approximately 1,100-km race. The entrants were also waving their arms to respond to the cheers. In the evening, the entrants elegantly dressed and welcomed Princess Akiko of Mikasa at the venue. They enjoyed a lavish banquet while sharing four days of their experience. After they enjoyed a stage of the special guest Kiyoshi Hasegawa, the awards ceremony started. The third place went to Fukuhara and Futami team, No.54. This young pair fought a good fight in the race through. The second place was Yokota and Oki team, No.23, experienced drivers who have won in La Festa Primavera before. And this year's winner went to Mr. and Mrs. Takemoto, No.2, their fourth consecutive La Festa Primavera title. They obtained the highest score in each day, showing their overwhelming strength. "We hope someone will beat us soon," they said laughingly in their speech, which livened up the venue. Thus, this four-day event all ended. The entrants all went back to their place and daily life, saying, "Let's meet again next autumn." A special program on La Festa Primavera 2016 will be broadcast on Sunday, June 26 at 12:00 pm on BS Fuji. Also, the autumn event La Festa Mille Miglia 2016 will be held from October 14. (text & photo：Mika Iwamoto） |
 Winner Mr. & Mrs. Takemoto, who obtained the highest score in each day  Cars lined up in Kumagawajuku  STANGUELLINI 750 S trying open PC competition  PANHARD and TRIUMPH TR2 driving through Hikone Castle  Kyoto Mayor Kadokawa greets entrants with Princess Akiko of Mikasa watching |
