Trucks Complete Vehicle Inspections at Buenos Aires.
The two HINO500 Series trucks and the team are ready for the race.

On January 1, 2015, New Years Day, Hino Team Sugawara underwent vehicle inspections and documentation procedures. This process, which was organized by Dakar Rally 2015 organizers, was carried out at the "Technopolis" an exposition hall located in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. The two HINO500 Series trucks that were shipped from Japan arrived in Argentina in early December. Team mechanics have been performing final adjustments on the trucks at a facility run by Argentina Toyota from the 18th. The two trucks have received a wide range of significant performance upgrades this year. Both were given major upgrades to their suspensions. Car 2 is now powered by the A09C engine as is Car 1, giving it a major upgrade in output. Car 2 has also been fitted with a standard width cab, and Car 1 has been converted into a 3-seater truck. As such, the team is eager and ready for the race in which they aim to win not only the championship in the Under 10-litre class of the Trucks category, but also finish at high rankings in the Trucks category overall.

The Technopolis, where vehicle inspections were conducted this year, is an exposition hall that was built in 2010 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Argentina's independence, and is located in the northwestern part of Buenos Aires. Although preparations in some areas of operations were not complete -- this being New Year's Day -- the hall was filled with heated anticipation for the rally. Yoshimasa Sugawara and Teruhito Sugawara, who are seasoned regulars of this race, were greeted by many persons in the hall, and reaffirmed their friendships at the beginning of this annual event. From the excitement in the hall, it was obvious that the race could not begin soon enough for the participants.

Vehicle inspections included checks for suspension stroke among many other criteria. The team's trucks complied with all of these regulations and completed the inspections successfully. After inspections, the trucks were moved to the vehicle storage area bringing the day to an end without any problems. On January 3, a ceremonial start will be conducted near the podium built in front of the presidential office, and on January 4, the contestants will race early in the morning to Villa Carlos Paz, their first bivouac on the first day of racing in Dakar Rally 2015.

Yoshimasa Sugawara: We completed vehicle inspections without a hitch, and my excitement is building up as the start date draws near. We arrived here 10 days ago and have had enough time to fully condition ourselves so we have no jet lag. I'm feeling very good physically. For now, I'm just waiting for the race to start.

Katsumi Hamura: Our preparations have gone well up to this point. Since I have experience working with Naoko Matsumoto in a 3-person crew, I have no concerns about working with Ms. Wakabayashi. Our plan is that I will primarily take on navigation, and Ms. Wakabayashi will focus on keeping an eye on tire pressure and other instrumentation.

Yoko Wakabayashi: Since we arrived here, Mr. Hamura and I went through how we would share our navigation responsibilities. The three of us also practiced changing tires together. And although I'm starting feel a bit of the peculiar anxiousness that comes right before the start of a race, I'm sure I will be able to get over it once the race starts.

Teruhito Sugawara: We had no problems during vehicle inspections. The inspector complimented us on the quality of our truck building. We have made major changes to suspension and engine specs, and we have also been able to fine tune these specs quite well. I'm eager for the race to begin.

Hiroyuki Sugiura: The highlight of this year's trucks are their suspension upgrades. With these upgrades we've been able to improve drivability over different terrain and increase the trucks' speed. As much as we have great expectations for what these upgraded trucks can do, it also means that navigation will be that much more difficult so I will stay focused.

Katsuyuki Nagoshi: Vehicle inspections went very smoothly. This year's engines, which are the second iteration of the A09C engine, have received significant upgrades to its intake and exhaust systems. If we get good results from these changes, I think we can move on to our next phase in development and aim for even greater performance potential going forward.

Seiichi Suzuki: We completed vehicle inspections without any problem at all, because during the truck building process, we focused on issues that were cited last year. In any case, our suspensions move much better now so I'm excited about how we do in the race.

Takeshi Suenaga: This is my second year on the team so I hope to make the best of my previous experience in giving guidance to the other mechanics as well as how I work personally. We now have one more mechanic on the team so that will give us a definite boost in our performance. I think we will do well as long as we enjoy what we are doing.

Hironaga Hayashi: I will be working on Car 1. I hope to draw on my experience from working at my company back home and help the team finish with good results. I had always wanted to make the Dakar Rally team and my colleagues sent me off very generously. I intend to give my best in this race.

Shunsuke Sugawara: I feel that my preparations up to this point have been perfect, but I also think that there are some things that I can't know until the race begins. I am nervous to a point, but more than that, I'm feeling excited and enjoying the moment.

Fukuno Hiroya: Right now, I'm filled with anxiousness and nervousness. I'm not assigned to any particular truck, and my role is to provide support for those who are. I believe the crucial point for me will be how well I can work together with the other mechanics.

Takashi Masuda: I've been interested in becoming a Dakar Rally mechanic since the time the race was being held in Africa. Making the team was one of my dreams. There is a lot of pressure for sure, but I am committed to do what I'm here to do.

* 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.

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