The Dakar 2009 Race Report (Stage 12, January 15)

Drove in rendezvous, a difficult course over dunes.

Fiambala to La Rioja
Connection 4 km, SS 253 km, Connection 261 km, Total: 518 km

The Dakar 2009 is now in its last phase. The 253-km SS was held on a course from Fiambala to La Rioja on the 15th. This stage is established as a “marathon” bivouac with no assistance vehicles. The stage was competed in the dunes around Fiambala, and the vehicles had to overcome a variety of sand characteristics in hot weather, with the ambient temperature over 35 degrees Celsius. This stage held a few upsets -- even Carlos Sainz (Volkswagen) in top position overall from the beginning in the Car division had to unexpectedly drop out after it dove into waji. The race was eventually stopped at the 175 km point, between CP2 and the finish, at 16:45pm (local time).
As for the Hino 500 Series vehicles of Hino Team Sugawara, Car 1 followed Car 2 most of the day. Although the distance between the two vehicles increased when they passed the GPS point along the way, they continued to drive in rendezvous throughout most of this stage. Car 2 finished safely in 10th place in the Camion division and Car 1 in 13th place. These results positioned Car 2 in 15th place overall, and 2nd among vehicles with an engine displacement of less than 10 liters. Car 1 advanced to 25th overall, and 6th in the under 10-liter class. The top entrant in the under 10-liter class is currently the M2000 driven by Z. Szaller, the top of the Camion division overall is Kamaz driven by V. Chagin, and F. Kabirov, his colleague, follows with a difference of only 1 minute 33 seconds. When the two Hino 500 Series vehicles arrived at the bivouac set up in the racing circuit at La Rioja, they once again met with the assistance crew that travelled from Copiapo in advance. The seven Hino mechanics were doing detailed inspections and servicing on the vehicles in order to complete the final two days.
A 545-km SS, the last long SS, was originally scheduled for tomorrow’s course to Cordoba, the second largest city in Argentina and the last bivouac of the rally, however, the starting point was shifted to CP4, at the 324-km point, due to the recent adverse weather. This will shorten the SS to about 200 km.

Katsumi Hamura (Car 1 Navigator)
“The course was very difficult, with a GPS point set in the dune valley, for example. But we could manage to pass through all the check points.”

Teruhito Sugawara (Car 2 Driver)
“We really drove slowly today, in one higher gear. We really want to complete the rally.”

Seiichi Suzuki (Car 2 Navigator)
“Although there were no assistance vehicles, we did not spend much time servicing Car 2, as we did not have any trouble. But, we got really tired.”
 

 

Teruhito Sugawara at dinner after arriving at the bivouac in La Rioja.	A Hino mechanic checking the rear differential of Car 2.
The Hino 500 Series vehicles being serviced by mechanics.