Rallying Around The Shinshiro Rally

Aichi is the motoring center of Japan. Toyota was founded and remains in Aichi, Mitsubishi is here, most of the major car parts manufacturing and research companies, such as Denso, Aishin and others are based in Aichi. Aichi has some of Japan’s greatest motor museums, and it also has the Shinshiro Rally!

Around 15 rally cars of different makes and models, but all outstanding with their colorful livery and sponsor signage, (not to mention those purring engines) roared through the streets of Nagoya city recently to be displayed at the annual Shinshiro Rally’s Official Kick-Off event, staged at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, the original site of the Toyota Motor Company, just north of Nagoya Station, the gateway to Aichi.

Rally officials, Shinshiro City’s Mayor, the Governor of Aichi and over 300 participants were on hand to promote the exciting event.

Held since 2004, over 45 thousand spectators line the course annually for the All Japan Rally series final showdown either late October of early November on Aichi Prefectures’ historical Shinshiro City. Top names from Japan and even international drivers compete over the two-day rally covering a total 78km worth of special stage courses.

Unlike rallies in Europe, America, Australia, where the mix of wider paved and dirt roads make up the course, Japan’s narrow, twisting turns and curves provide the next level of excitement. That and the determination of the Japanese drivers to take the flag means a race worth rallying around!

Shinshiro Rally

Writer
Chris Glenn

Chris Glenn is a bilingual radio DJ, TV presenter, producer, narrator, MC, copywriter, author and columnist, and Japanese historian, specializing in samurai castles, battles, armor and weapons. He is an inbound tourism advisor, and is often called upon as a lecturer and speaker on Japanese history and topics. He was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1968, and has spent over half his life in Japan, most of that time in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Chris is dedicated to promoting and preserving Japans’ long history, deep culture, traditions, arts and crafts.