Tokyo, Japan (CNN Philippines, October 25) — Over a hundred vintage race car drivers are vying to claim the top prize in this year’s La Festa Mille Miglia.
Race participants agree that it would be extra challenging for them this year as heavy rains are expected to persist for the first two days of the four-leg event.
The annual race promotes proper maintenance of classic automobiles and friendship among competitors.
The race kicked off at the Meiji Shrine in Shibuya district on Friday. From Tokyo’s busy streets, the cars will make their way to the Urabandai Lake Resort in Fukushima.
On Saturday, participants will have a full circuit race running through three prefectures, namely, Fukushima, Miyagi and Yamagata. The third day will be the longest leg covering 490 kilometers, with competitors passing through Fukushima, Tochigi and Chiba.
While the last day of the race will begin at the ANA Crowne Plaza in Narita City and culminate at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.
Japanese couple Kyoto and Junko Takemoto are looking to repeat as champions.
“I am hoping that we will win. Although our car is good, there are many other good ones as well. So I’m thinking how well they are going to perform, too. But we are still feeling lucky this year,” said Kyoto Takemoto, who is racing once again with his old and reliable 1926 Bugatti T35.
Forza President Haruo Masuda explained the importance of staging the annual race, which has been running for over two decades already.
“Nowadays, we’re missing out on the good old stuff because things are mostly digital,” Masuda said. “But for me, it is everyone’s task to take care of vintage goods.”
Filipino vintage car driver Uey Joson is participating in this year’s race.
“We’re happy to bring Filipino pride to this event, thanks to San Miguel which is also a major sponsor of the event,” said Joson, who is racing with a 1959 Austin Healey Sprite.
San Miguel Brewery is one of the largest brewers in the world. The beer brand is enjoyed in over 70 countries worldwide including Japan. It is a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, the Philippines’ largest and most diversified conglomerate.
