- What motivated you to apply to be a HINO TEAM SUGAWARA mechanic?

Azuma: I was chatting on the phone with Mr. Sugawara from Tokyo Hino, who was chosen as a mechanic two years ago. I'd met him at one of the training seminars. He said, "Why don't you give it a try?" and that's what got me started. Mr. Sugawara is very diligent and meticulous in everything he does, and I also respect him for his exceptional skills. So I decided I would give it a try too.

Koji Nakamura: The Dakar Rally had been a dream of mine for many years, but my passion for it waned as time went by. Then one day, one of my superiors remarked, "Are you done with your Dakar dream?" and that's what rekindled my passion. Would-be Dakar mechanics from all over the country were competing at the screening event, and it was a strange kind of feeling to know we were all competing against each other, but at the same time, we were also all companions. It feels serendipitous that it was the four of us here that were chosen.

Inoue: I didn't think that I would make the team because nobody had ever made it from Okayama Hino. But I got a chance to hear Dakar Rally stories from Mr. Nakano of Hiroshima Hino, who had been on the team some years back. That's what got me thinking I would like to join the team too.

Kunimoto: One of my colleagues, Mr. Masuda, made the team two years ago, and I thought, "I can do this too." So that's what motivated me to apply. Actually, I applied last year too, but I didn't pass, so I'd given up. That's when our president said, "Go try again," and that's how I decided to reapply. So I'm glad I passed this year.

- How did the team choose its mechanic sub-leader?

Masaki Nakamura: Starting with Dakar Rally 2014, the team decided to choose a mechanic sub-leader from Hino Motors' Vehicle Planning & Production Engineering Division, and one of my seniors, Mr. Suenaga, was chosen that year. Last year, my name came up as a candidate to succeed him, and although I wasn't sure I could fulfill that role, I decided to take on the challenge as my superiors had recommended me. I joined the team in 2015, and took part in my first Dakar Rally in January of this year.

Okabe: Actually, I was contacted about becoming sub-leader before Mr. Nakamura, but I had to decline due to family circumstances. Things have settled down since then, so I'll be joining the team as a mechanic this year, and after Dakar Rally 2017 in January, I'll be taking over the sub-leader position from Mr. Nakamura.

- Having actually taken part in the Silk Way Rally, what were your impressions?

Azuma: The biggest challenge for us was the language barrier. I don't understand a word of Russian. I was at a total loss because I couldn't get things across with gestures or sign language. But in China, a gas station attendant had this smartphone app that could translate what we were saying, and that was incredibly helpful (laughs).

Koji Nakamura: I knew there were going to be challenges, but they were of a completely different nature from what I'd imagined. The food didn't agree with me, and we couldn't get enough sleep, so that was quite stressful. I do think the quality of my servicing work suffered for that. I didn't think I was irritated at the time, but looking back now, I think I actually was to some degree.

Inoue: It was also tough physically. I felt I was doing fine until midway through the rally, but after we finished the tire changes on the midpoint day, I felt a huge wave of fatigue weigh down on me. I also had digestive problems, which made things worse.

Kunimoto: The food was a real challenge. Just when I thought I was starting to feel better, digestive problems would flare up again. Language was a huge challenge because we couldn't communicate, but as the days went by, I kind of got used to it, and was able to vaguely make out what the other person was trying to say.

Koji Nakamura: In a strange kind of way, I felt I was becoming stronger by placing myself under those conditions day after day. I was a bit nervous at first, but I was gradually able to be more assertive in what I wanted to say.

Masaki Nakamura: I was on the team for the previous Dakar Rally, but I think there were more challenges that were tough to overcome in this latest Silk Way Rally. One thing was that I wasn't able to communicate the preparatory procedures to the other team members ahead of time. This resulted in idle time, and I gave myself a hard time for that. There were times when mental turmoil would show up as physical fatigue so, in that way, this experience has been a great learning opportunity for me.

- How would you like to make use of those experiences in the Dakar Rally in January?

Masaki Nakamura: I'll be giving solid briefings to all team members ahead of time, and ensure communication between us so we can avoid idle time. We entered one truck in the Silk Way Rally, but there will be two in the Dakar Rally, so the amount of work will increase as well. All of us have kept that in mind in our training, so I think we will do fine.

Okabe: Instead of actually performing the work himself, I think the sub-leader's job is to always stay a step ahead so he's able to give pertinent advice to the other team members. This was the first time I'd been part of a rally, so I think I was able to take a step back and see the bigger picture.

Kunimoto: I now know how challenging the preparations can be, so at the Dakar Rally, I'll make sure that all preparations get done right and ensure that the trucks are serviced to perfection to take on each successive stage. That said, while I don't have any concerns about the servicing work, I have no experience with altitude sickness and I'm quite anxious as to how that will turn out (smiles wryly).

Inoue: Although there were times when I thought I couldn't do anything myself, I'm happy I made the team with support from people at my dealership, and I was able to fulfill my task at the Silk Way Rally with the support of other team members. Everyone got along very well with each other and the teamwork was great, so if we're able to keep this up all the way to the Dakar Rally finish line, I think the sense of accomplishment will be orders of magnitude greater.

Koji Nakamura: We all performed the servicing work together at the Silk Way Rally, and I think we were able to build up our teamwork from working together for so many long hours and getting a feel for each other's working methods and thought processes. If only to repay the support I've been getting from the people back at my dealership, I intend to stay true to the commitment that "We are going to do this!" to give it my best and produce great results.

Azuma: I think everything we did at the Silk Way Rally has had a positive effect, and so will the skills and knowledge we'll be acquiring in the truck fabrication process over the next one-and-a-half months. I think the communication between us will also improve, since we'll be together for that entire period of time. So I look forward to our team moving ahead in good spirits as we go out for the Dakar Rally next year.

- I know this is a bit early, but what would you like to say after the team makes it back safely to the finish line at the Dakar Rally, and to whom?

Azuma: I would like to let my family know that I'm feeling well, and that I'm not sick or injured. That's because I know they'll be concerned for me.

Koji Nakamura: I would like to tell my family that I gave it my best. I'd also like to give my teammates a big hug and share the joy. I'd also like to thank my superiors at my dealership.

Inoue: I would like to say thank you to all of the team members.

Kunimoto: Foremost, I would like to thank my family. I'd also like to thank my seniors and colleagues at work. And to do that, I feel we must make it back safely to the finish line.

Masaki Nakamura: I would like to thank my immediate team members, and then my family and people at my workplace. I'd also like to thank everyone who has given me their support.