I am digging back through an enormous record of events entered.
As of 2022: 42 events in Japan, 14 abroad and 6 official JAF rounds — a very concentrated few years of rally experience.
Not only the big events; I want to set down the record of rallies run with a great deal of local affection too.
Hikone to Kanazawa to Matsumoto, a three-day event over an autumn long weekend. At this point I had no rally friends and did not understand the competition; I think the first test involved not a car but stepping on a line on foot, as a bit of fun.
You navigate from tulip diagrams, in the role of co-driver.
We were given matching polo shirts at a rally abroad, and they made us feel rather like a team — which is when I started enjoying team clothing. The driver became a dress-up doll.
The weather was against us, but running the coast road was exhilarating.
A 1957 Alfa Romeo. I know nothing about cars, so I called it “Yellow”. Happy memories.