Last SS of the First Half is Canceled due to Inclement Weather

Teams in the Trucks Category Travel to Tucuman via Liaison
January 13 to be a Rest Day in Tucuman

January 12 was the last day of the first half of Dakar Rally 2013. Contestants in the Trucks category were scheduled to compete in a 155km SS between Salta in northern Argentina and San Miguel du Tucuman, but the SS for the day was canceled due to rainfall in the area on January 11. All trucks in the category headed to the bivouac in Tucuman via a 318km liaison. The entire route was paved and the two HINO 500 Series trucks arrived at Tucuman before 3 pm.

HINO TEAM SUGAWARA has entered two HINO 500 Series trucks in this rally, and as of January 11, the accumulated positions of Car 2, piloted by Teruhito Sugawara and Hiroyuki Sugiura, and Car 1, by Yoshimasa Sugawara and Katsumi Hamura, were 18th overall and top in the Under 10-litre class, and 29th overall and 5th in the class, respectively. Car 2 currently holds a lead of 3 hours 24 minutes 06 seconds over the Johan Elfrink crew (Mercedes Benz Axor), the runner up in the Under 10-litre class. Both HINO TEAM SUGAWARA crews are renewing their commitment for the second half of the race to achieve their goal of winning their 4th straight championship in the Under 10-litre class and coming in at high positions in the overall Trucks Category.

The bivouac in Tucuman was set up in a horse racing stadium on the outskirts of the city, just as it was in the 2011 race. Although the sun shone brightly, making this a hot and muggy day, forecasts called for possible rain in the afternoon. Tomorrow will be a rest day for all the teams, and the four Hino mechanics began servicing the trucks the moment they arrived.

Yoshimasa Sugawara: I was disappointed to hear that the stage for today was canceled. The eight days in the first half went by so quickly they felt like only three. I'm feeling good physically, and I'm certain that the mechanics will be servicing the trucks well to prepare for the second half of the race.

Katsumi Hamura: The SS was canceled so we traveled here from bivouac in Salta on an assist vehicle route. We'll first wash the truck, refuel, and then begin with servicing.

Teruhito Sugawara: The SS for today wasn't going to give us much of a time advantage so I'm not too disappointed about it being canceled. In the second half, I think Fiambala and Copiapo will be the main hot spots. The reason we are not seeing more trucks withdraw from the race, I think, has more to do with the teams improving their game than the courses being easier to run.

Hiroyuki Sugiura: The first half just went by before I knew it. Unlike previous races, this year's race began with sand dunes right out of the bat, and I must admit that did make it somewhat more difficult for me to keep up my condition.

*The rankings at the time when the report was written might be adjusted afterwards.

Refer to the latest ranking list of the official site.

Stage ranking
https://www.dakar.com/dakar/2013/us/stage-8/rankings/stage-trucks.html#ancre

Overall ranking
https://www.dakar.com/dakar/2013/us/stage-8/rankings/overall-trucks.html#ancre

ROUTE MAP

PHOTOS

*The HINO vehicle referred in this news in relation to the rally is specially designed, tuned and modified for the Dakar Rally, and most of its specifications are different from those of the HINO vehicles sold in the market unless otherwise specifically mentioned.