News Release
[Topics / DAKAR] The Dakar 2010 Race Report (Stage 10)
January 12, La Serena (Chile) to Santiago (Chile)
Connection 112 km, SS 238 km, Connection 236 km, Total: 586 km
Car 1 was sidelined due to exhaust system trouble.
Car 2 upped its rank to 6th in the overall Truck Division and kept top position in the Production Vehicle Division.
Car 1, driven by Yoshimasa Sugawara and Katsumi Hamura of Hino Team Sugawara, that experienced exhaust system trouble during the SS to La Serena on the 11th, arrived at the bivouac in La Serena after 11:00 p.m. last night. According to the inspection done by the mechanics, it became apparent that the exhaust pipe was shielded by the damaged shutter mechanism of the exhaust brake, suppressing the rise of engine revolution. Although the trouble was repaired by the mechanics without any problem, as they left the SS course and drove straight to the goal after encountering this trouble and did not pass through the compulsory GPS way point on their way, they were disqualified from the rally. That explains why their time card for the 12th was not issued, and why they were so regrettably sidelined with this difficulty. The team members vowed to continuously exert their utmost effort to support Car 2's rally completion in the highest position possible.
The 238 km SS, the last stage in Chile, was held between La Serena and Santiago. The road surface changed radically from sand to hard gravel, incurring a different kind of risk compared to sand, in which twisty mountains roads and high-speed zones alternated, along with severe dust and a slippery road surface. Car 2, driven by Teruhito Sugawara and Seiichi Suzuki, prudently cleared this SS. It reached the goal in 12th in the overall Truck Division, 4th in the Production Vehicle Division and 1st in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters. The cumulative result of Car 1 became 6th in the overall Truck Division, while it kept top position in the Production Vehicle Division leading the 2nd position entrant, D. Oliveras team (Mercedes Benz 1844AK), by 6 hours 01 minutes 44 seconds. It also kept top position in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters by a wide margin of 16 hours 54 minutes 30 seconds between Car 2 and the 2nd position entrant, R. Van Pelt team (Mercedes Benz Axor).
Car 2, together with Car 1 that bypassed the course and drove the paved road at around 6:00 p.m., arrived at the bivouac in Santiago from which the snow-capped Aconcagua could be seen. The five mechanics promptly started inspecting and servicing the vehicles. The vehicles will go over the Andes Mountain range once again tomorrow, cross the border to Argentina, and go through the 220 km SS scheduled to San Juan.
Yoshimasa Sugawara (Car 1 Driver)
We had engine trouble making it difficult to increase the revs during the SS yesterday, so we reluctantly made a detour as we were in the sand and drove straight to the goal, where we were disqualified for not passing through the way point. As the rally was over for us so quickly, we were taken aback and felt both regret and mortification. Moreover, we feel really sorry for all the people who have been cheering us on and supporting us. We will now support Car 2 to reach the goal keeping its current high standings.
Katsumi Hamura (Car 1 Navigator)
This is the first time we were sidelined in the middle of the rally; we shed tears of mortification. We were able to come back last night and repair the vehicle, so we were all the more shocked as we thought we could continue to drive, albeit with some penalty.
Teruhito Sugawara (Car 2 Driver)
We did not know that Car 1 had to drop out until we finished the SS today. We feel mortification rather than regret. As we consider that our task remains the same, we will do all we can during the remaining four days.
Seiichi Suzuki (Car 2 Navigator)
We have nothing more to say than to feel regret about Car 1, but we will strive hard even on behalf of Car 1. Car 2 is in extremely good condition other than minute maintenance such as welding the crack in the cab arch. We have been checking the differential oil every day, but it seems fine.
Takayuki Monma (Mechanic, Hino Motors, Ltd.)
We are really mortified that Car 1's fine results are of no avail. We can only say that it is regrettable as we were able to repair the vehicle right after its arrival here last night. All the mechanics will strive hard continuously, so that Car 2 can finish the rally with good results.
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(The rankings in parentheses are in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters.)
*The rankings at the time when the report was written might be adjusted afterwards.
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
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| Yoshimasa Sugawara feeling regret at being sidelined. |
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| Hamura navigator shedding tears of mortification. |
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| Car 1 which was given the car number for the press car from the organizer. |
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| The Sugawara father and son discussing their strategies. |
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| La Serena (Chile) to Santiago (Chile) |
