[Topics / DAKAR] The Dakar 2010 Race Report (Rest Day)

January 9, Antofagasta (Chile)
Rest Day

The Hino 500 Series vehicles and drivers got a good rest.
A thorough service inspection was completed on the interim rest day.

The Dakar 2010 spent a rest day in the middle of the rally in Antofagasta in Chile on January 9th. The two Hino Team Sugawara vehicles that began the latter half of the rally with Car 2 in 7th in the overall Truck Division, 2nd in the Production Vehicle Division, and 2nd in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters and Car 1 ranked 9th in the overall Truck Division, 3rd, and 3rd, respectively, were both able not only to finish the day in single digit positions despite unexpectedly severe conditions, but also to rise in their standings to obtain top positions in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters.

To help them maintain the momentum through the latter half of the race, a thorough service inspection was implemented on the rest day. This day in the bivouac established on the coast of Antofagasta was cloudy, and although the heat of the sun was alleviated due to clouds, it was still over 30 degrees Celsius. The five Hino mechanics finished cleaning the vehicle the previous day, working hard all day to complete the service schedules set up in advance, such as oil changes, parts inspections, and preventive service maintenance.

There will be a 472 km SS in the course to Copiapo tomorrow, the 10th. The navigators spent the day poured over the road book, studying the routes that lay ahead, as they were scheduled to go over difficult and complex dunes near Copiapo.   

Yoshimasa Sugawara (Car 1 Driver)
The number of vehicles in the Truck Division has gradually been reduced to about half those that started. In such a situation, our vehicles have had few troubles that we had only a few parts to change or repair today. We will try our best to drive smoothly during the latter half of the rally so as not to damage our vehicles.

Katsumi Hamura (Car 1 Navigator)
We have started the latter half of the rally at last. As we face more dunes tomorrow, we want to keep up this good pace and go through them well by wisely selecting the routes. 

Teruhito Sugawara (Car 2 Driver)
The degree of difficulty of the three courses set from tomorrow, from Copiapo to Santiago on the 12th, is high; so it seems that these three days will be the climax of the latter half of the rally. Although there is a 1 hour 51 minutes difference between our vehicle and the top runner in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters, we are convinced that we can generate a good result if we strive hard.

Seiichi Suzuki (Car 2 Navigator)
According to the road book, it seems that at the beginning of tomorrow's course we will cross regions with many potholes and ruts, as well as fesh-fesh (fine powdery sand). I lost my voice a little bit even today due to the severe clouds of dust. I feel as if I had enough of the dust, but this comes with the territory.

Takayuki Monma (Mechanic, Hino Motors, Ltd.)
We worked only on some of the steering related parts, in addition to the oil changes and gasoline refill planned for today. We have been making steady progress, as the amount of work needed is lessened by the fact that the vehicles sustained no damage. We only have one more step to win in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters, so we would like to exert our utmost effort to continue to improve our vehicles' race times.

Shinobu Kitamura (Mechanic, Hokkaido Hino Motors, Ltd.)
We have just started to realize that the number of rally trucks has decreased whenever we arrive at the bivouac. We really want to see our vehicles reach the final goal as vigorously as they are driving now. After checking them, we are happy that to date they have sustained no major damage.

Takashi Yamazaki (Mechanic, Tokyo Hino Motors, Ltd.)
Although Car 2 needed new parts around the king pin, this was also a precautionary measures just to ensure its perfect condition. We were able to finish the service work before dark, faster than we anticipated, as there was no major damage.

Jun Mizuno (Mechanic, Aichi Hino Motors, Ltd.)
The condition of Car 1 was really almost perfect, apart from a slight dent in the left door and side panel. It was hard work cleaning the inside of the rear body, as we found a lot of mud there rather than dust.

Naoya Nakano (Mechanic, Hiroshima Hino Motors, Ltd.)
Although we have been constantly checking and changing the oil as we encountered a differential problem in the last race, the drivers are driving the vehicles so carefully this time that we have had no severe problem, though the oil does get slightly burnt. 

 

Refer to the latest ranking list.
http://www.dakar.com/us/DAKAR/2010/live.html

Try to track the competitors by Iritrack.
(how to use)
http://www.hino-global.com/news_release/160.html
(URL of Iritrack)
http://tracking.dakar.com/ASO/index_us.html

Send the message to HINO TEAM SUGAWARA
http://www.teamsugawara.jp/cgi-bin/tsbbs10.cgi

HINO Dakar official site
http://www.hino-global.com/dakar/index.html

Refer to the Terminology page
http://www.hino-global.com/dakar/about/terminology.html 

The bivouac in Antofagasta located on the coast. The Hino distributors gathered to encourage the rally participants.

Kitamura mechanic servicing around the king pin of Car 1. Mizuno mechanic cleaning the inside of the rear body of Car 1.

Nakano mechanic confirming the service procedures. Yamazaki mechanic working on the replacement of the king pin parts in Car 2.

Monma mechanic checking the differential oil.

Antofagasta (Chile)