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| The La Festa Primavera 2021 marked its 12th year. It was canceled last year due to the spread of COVID-19 infection, but this year they decided to hold the event. All necessary measures to prevent COVID-19 will be taken during the event, and in addition all the entrants and the staff members took a PCR test or an antigen test before participating. The spring journey of four days started today for the first time in two years. In the light rain, the 42 cars set off from Atsuta Jingu in Nagoya at 11:00 am. They competed PC competitions (a measurement competition to drive a designated section in a designated time in seconds) at NTP Nagoya Toyopet, then headed to a stamp point, the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. After leaving Nagoya, the cars headed to the next stamp point, NTP Marine Rinku in Tokoname City. The entrants who were driving an open-top car were a little concerned about the weather since it was sprinkling on and off. They received a stamp at NTP Marine Rinku and left Aichi Prefecture, heading to Tsu City in Mie Prefecture. As the cars got closer to their next destination, the Tsu City Industry and Sports Center, the rain was coming down harder. As soon as the entrants arrived at the venue, they changed clothes to keep off the rain and the cold and also checked the condition of their car before starting PC competitions. A cold rain is not good for people as well as cars. In PC competitions to compete for 1/100 seconds, the more severe the conditions, the more important the concentration. What entrants need are being mentally tough in any situation and preparation to minimize damage. After finishing the competitions at the Tsu City Industry and Sports Center, the cars went though a stamp point in Geku Sando in Ise Jingu and traveled to the Toba Observation Deck. Although both the rain and the wind were sapping the entrants' energy and temperature more and more, they received a stamp and competed today's last PC competition at the Toba Observation Deck. They already had driven nearly 250 km, still managed to compete the competition with concentration, then headed to the finish line of day one in the Shima Kanko Hotel. It was still raining but when receiving a stamp at the Shima Kanko Hotel, the entrants breathed a sigh of relief. They must have been cold in this weather. Both the entrants and their wet cars needed to rest up for tomorrow. On day two, the rally will take a route of approximately 300 km from Shima City, Mie Prefecture to Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture. According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow, so it's going to be a tough day again. （text & photo／Mika Iwamoto） |
 BUGATTI T37 sets off from Atsuta Jingu  Praying for road safety before start  PORSCHE 356A SPEEDSTER competing PC competition at Tsu City Industry and Sports Center  FIAT 508S BALILLA COPPA D'ORO receives stamp at Toba Observation Deck  After receiving stamp at Toba Observation Deck, AUSTIN HEALEY SPRITE competes PC competition |
