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| Day two started. I had been really hoping the weather would clear. It was gloomy and drizzling early in the morning, but not as wet as the previous day. The sound of the engine was echoing on the cold morning in Urabandai before the start. The entrants protected themselves from the cold and the rain and set off from the hotel at 7 am. Today's route ran through Fukushima, Miyagi, and Yamagata Prefecture. The entrants visited spa towns, government offices, local facilities, a circuit, an airfield, a castle, and a shrine, then went back to Fukushima. Since the rain let up during the day, many local people came to each point to cheer for the entrants. Along the way to each point, I saw many people waiting for the entrants. When the entrants drove through, they cheered, waving flags and hands. They always encouraged the entrants. Some were waiting in front of their house, sitting in a chair, and some with little children or with their car lover friends. We were really touched by their smiling faces. The scenery of Tohoku seen only this time of year was stunning. The leaves in Mt. Bandai and Mt. Adatara turned red, yellow or orange. The mountains covered with vibrant fall foliage were standing still in the idyllic landscape of Japan. The beautiful view from a winding road fascinated us. Patches of blue sky peeked through the clouds during the day. However, it started to rain again in the afternoon and the entrants had another hard day. Still, cheers from local people motivated them to drive the rest of the way and there were few cars that retired. Finishing today's rally, I thought interacting with the people in Tohoku might cheer up both the entrants and the cars. Day three will travel approximately 490 km, starting from Urabandai and driving through Tochigi Prefecture to Narita. The entrant were already checking the condition of the car thoroughly and preparing for the long drive for tomorrow. Since the departure is as early as 6:30 am, it's going to be a long day. Tomorrow is the last day we drive in Tohoku. We would like to drive with a smile to the end so that we can lift local people's spirits in return. （text & photo：Mika Iwamoto） |
 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SPIDER competing PC competition in Fukushima Sky Park  BUGATTI T35B competing PC competition at Nakatsugawa Rest House  FERRARI 195S seen off by many spectators at Takahata Culture Hall  Entrant in STANGUELLINI 1100 SPORT BIALBERO looking at measurement line in PC competition in results open format at Michi-No-Eki Kitanosato  MERCEDES BENZ 300SL receives today's last stamp at Urabandai Lake Resort |
