News Release
[Topics / DAKAR] The Dakar 2010 Race Report (Stage 12)
January 14, San Juan (Argentina) - San Rafael (Argentina)
Connection 23km, SS 476km, Connection 297km, Total: 796km
(The SS was shortened by 6 km, to 470 km, and the Connection lengthened to 303 km, Total: 796 km. Please refer to the report below for details.)
Our SS result was 7th in the longest course of this rally.
Tomorrow we will drive to the last bivouac in Santa Rosa.
The course on this day, from San Juan to San Rafael, was the longest one -- 796 km including a 476 km SS. The SS started with a section along waji (dry river bed) in the rocky mountains; it looked like a continuation of the final part of yesterday's course. What with a 130 km section of neutral paved road in the middle, the actual distance of the special stage was 346 km. The latter part of the course was to drive to the goal set in the eastern part of Mendoza after driving over sand piste. The entrants then drove to San Rafael over the 297 km connection. However, as so many spectators gathered along the side of the course today, the organizers shortened the last part of the SS by 6 km in order to secure their safety; and instead extended the connection by 6 km. In addition to the length of this course, the Trucks had to start after the Cars, so the trucks arrived late at the goal.
The Hino Team Sugawara arrived at the bivouac set up next to the airport in San Rafael after 10:00 p.m. Car 2, a Hino 500 Series vehicle driven by Teruhito Sugawara and Seiichi Suzuki currently positioned top in the Truck class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters and also top in the Production Vehicle Division including heavy-duty trucks in the cumulative results, also came through strongly, driving without any error, enhancing their composure and concentration even during this SS. It reached the goal with a favorable result -- 7th in the overall Truck Division, and it kept top positions in both the Production Vehicle Division, and in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters. It seems that the organizer has set up a difficult course over erg (dune ridges) in the beginning of the SS to Santa Rosa. The five Hino mechanics prepared a thorough inspection, to take the surest measures for tomorrow's course which is literally the last difficult course in the rally.
Takayuki Monma (Mechanic, Hino Motors, Ltd.)
We are scheduled to do a normal maintenance today, but we really want to help insure that Car 2 finishes the rally with precision, as they are currently in top place in the division. We feel that the damages to the vehicle are greater and more frequent, as the vehicle load is bigger than in the rallies in Africa.
Shinobu Kitamura (Mechanic, Hokkaido Hino Motors, Ltd.)
I have gotten used to hot weather in the daytime. This poses no problem, as we are doing the actual work at night. We also feel that our preparations are going more smoothly and efficiently. I feel happy that this is becoming such a good experience.
Takashi Yamazaki (Mechanic, Tokyo Hino Motors, Ltd.)
I have become used to the routine during the rally as well, and I now feel good, although I slept for only two hours. I have gotten a grip on the conditions. To change a transmission on sand is difficult, so I have been much more safety conscious than I normally would be.
Jun Mizuno (Mechanic, Aichi Hino Motors, Ltd.)
As I have now gotten used to driving to the bivouac before the entrants and working on vehicles after their arrival, so I can now work more efficiently. I pay special attention to how I handle the grease when I work in a dusty environment. Although the number of remaining days is few, we all know we will do better if we have no repair work due to trouble on the course.
Naoya Nakano (Mechanic, Hiroshima Hino Motors, Ltd.)
The rally has been more severe than I anticipated before I came here, but my body has gradually gotten used to it day by day. Moreover, when I was servicing the vehicle, I was surprised to see fine powdery sand had collected in the smallest places, even inside the wiring coupler. We have not seen this in Japan. In any case, the sidelining of Car 1 came as a total shock to us. It would have been great if both vehicles could have reached the goal together, but this cannot be helped.
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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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| A group of assistants waiting for the arrival of Hino 500 Series vehicles at the bivouac located next to the airport in San Rafael. |
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| Mechanics reading the cheering and supportive messages from Japan. |
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| San Juan (Argentina) - San Rafael (Argentina) |