HINO TEAM SUGAWARA Races Rally Mongolia
Sep 13, 2010
HINO TEAM SUGAWARA took part in Rally Mongolia 2010 (Started Aug. 9 at Ulan Bator and ran through Aug. 16 for a total mileage of 3,369 km) as an important test run to verify the modifications made in preparation for the Dakar Rally 2011. Driver Teruhito Sugawara had the following to say in terms of the results of the ambitious modifications to enhance the vehicle performance for the 20th participation in the Dakar Rally.
"We tuned the engine and shaved off a considerable amount of weight from the rear body, and as a result, we've been able to improve acceleration to a level that was actually physically perceptible. The top off-road speed of 170 km/h was marked, and the benefits of the modifications were quite obvious. We also improved the radiator fan to enhance the truck's cooling performance, which had been a constant cause of trouble under hot conditions in South America during the previous race. The brakes and suspension was tuned to accommodate the truck's higher speeds. The valve specification change, brakes that immediately respond driver's control, and the mechanism of the stabilizer that allows driver's choice to activate or not as the road conditions require had a direct effect on reducing the racing time.
While we saw a few HINO trucks last year, there was a noticeable increase this year and we found many HINO trucks on the road during the rally. When Mongolian HINO truck drivers saw us, they familiarly waved at us, all smiling. The truck's Kabuki-esque appearance, debuted this year, attracted people wherever we went. It was particularly popular among foreigners and we think we were able to make a compelling case for 'Made in Japan."
As a result, the Teruhito Sugawara and Seiichi Suzuki team won the championship in the truck category, and came in 5th place in the four-wheel category. As such, we believe we were able to confirm the actual performance of our truck at Rally Mongolia 2010.
Yoshimasa Sugawara and Takayuki Monma (Overseas Parts & Service Division) both finish!
Yoshimasa Sugawara, who is scheduled to race in the Dakar Rally 2011, ran a solid race in Rally Mongolia 2010 in his Jimny and finished the race. He was awarded an achievement award from the president of the Mongolian Automobile Motorcycle Sports Federation, which added to his already formidable presence at the rally.
Takayuki Monma, from the Overseas Parts & Service Division, who took part in the Dakar Rally 2010 as a mechanic, raced his first Rally Mongolia on a motorcycle. Even after he was quite tired by the time he completed the 400 km connection (untimed section) on the first day of the race, he mustered his characteristic never-say-quit spirit to complete this 8-day rally.
