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| It was a cold morning on day two. It started raining in Urabandai and the temperature was about 8℃. The entrants were starting up the engine and taking time to warm up their car early in the morning. They put on cold-weather and waterproof clothing and set off from the hotel at 7:30 a.m. After leaving the hotel, the entrants competed PC competitions at three venues: the Bandai Eruption Memorial, the Link Circuit, and Fukushima Sky Park, and then headed to a stamp point in Iizaka Onsen. They left Fukushima Prefecture and traveled to Miyagi Prefecture. In Miyagi Prefecture, the entrants received stamps at Kamitozawa Meeting Place, Shichikasyuku Dam Natural Recreation Park parking, and Oh-waraji, then headed to Yamagata Prefecture. The entrants received stamps at Uesugi Shrine and Onogawa Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture, then returned to Fukushima Prefecture again. After they enjoy lunch at Michi-No-Eki Kitanosato, the afternoon program started. They received stamps at Kitashiobara Village Office and Ouchijuku, and then headed to the last PC competition venue, Tajima Driving School. At Ouchijuku, many local people and tourists welcomed us and it was encouraging for the entrants who looked tired from driving such a long distance. The party left Fukushima Prefecture and traveled to Tochigi Prefecture, heading to their hotel in Nikko. They drove through a winding road among the mountains, passed through a hot spring town, and finally reached the finish line at the Nikko Kanaya Hotel and the Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel. The long drive of approximately 417km was a tough one with rain and strong winds on the way. Although the weather was unsettled today, rainbows appeared many times in the sky between the rain showers. The leaves on the mountains have turned slightly yellow or orange, which can only be seen during this time of year. We fully enjoyed the beautiful autumn scenery of Japan including golden ripe rice plants and Japanese pampas grass swaying in the wind. There were many local people cheering for us from the roadside. I saw some people waving to us at an unexpected place and it touched my heart. I'm so happy that the local people are looking forward to a once-a-year reunion with us. After the long day, I heard the mechanics maintaining the cars until late at night today as well. The entrants can drive safely exactly because the mechanics support them. They work on the cars day and night to ensure that the entrants reach the finish line safely with their car. Watching the maintenance work, I realize that to complete the whole distance is not something that can be taken for granted. On day three, the entrants are driving approximately 263km from Tochigi Prefecture to Narita in Chiba Prefecture via Ibaraki Prefecture. The second half is the time when we start to get tired. Let's have fun driving. （text & photo：Mika Iwamoto） |
 Cars lined up at stamp point Ouchijuku  FIAT FARINA competing PC competition at Fukushima Sky Park  CISITALIA COLOMBO BARCHETTA receives stamp at Iizaka Onsen  STAGUELLINI S1100 receives stamp and commemorative gift at Uesugi Shrine  Mechanic maintaining BUGATTI T35 during lunch time at Kitanosato |
