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

January 17, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Ceremony

The Hino 500 Series wins double victories in the Production Vehicle Class and in the Class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters.
The Goal Ceremony held in Buenos Aires marks the finish of the 2010 rally.

On the 17th of January, the Dakar 2010 held the Goal Ceremony in the city of Buenos Aires. Car 2, the Hino 500 Series for Hino Team Sugawara (driven by Teruhito Sugawara and Seiichi Suzuki), ranked 7th in the overall Camion (Truck) Division, and won double victories in the Production Vehicle Class and in the Class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters.

Hino Motors, Ltd. ("Hino") supported the activities of their teams for the Dakar Rally, and participated in the Production Vehicle Class of the Truck Division using two Hino 500 Series vehicles, both medium-duty trucks. Service was provided by 5 mechanics selected through public recruitment announcements from Hino Motors, Ltd. and dealers throughout Japan.

The Hino team put up a good fight in the Truck Division in which there were 52 truck entrants altogether, competing well with heavy-duty trucks in the Modified Truck Division. When the rally formally began on the 2nd of January, Car 2 took the lead and competed against other top entrants to grab top position in the class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters. This placed them concurrently in the top group of the Production Vehicle Division which has no engine displacement requirements. On the first day of the latter half of the rally, the 10th of January, Car 2 achieved a breakthrough to gain top rank in both the Production Vehicle Class and in the Class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters. During the SS on the following day, the 11th, Car 1 (driven by Yoshimasa Sugawara and Katsumi Hamura) was regrettably sidelined due to exhaust system trouble, while Car 2 at the top further widened its lead in the field. Car 2 reached its goal in Buenos Aires on the 16th, coming in 7th, a high rank in the Truck Division; and winning clear double victories with a huge time gap of 6 hours 9 minutes, and 29 seconds between Car 2 and the second entrant in the Production Vehicle Class, and 17 hours 23 minutes, and 29 seconds between Car 2 and the second entrant in the Class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters. For reference, the Production Vehicle Class was created in 2008 when the Modified Truck Class was also established. Although this was the second time that Hino participated in this Class following its first entry in 2008, as the 2008 rally itself was suspended before it began, it actually meant that victory was theirs in their first entry in this Class in the Dakar 2010. Their victory in this Class, in which a limited amount of modification is allowed, verifies the Hino 500 Series vehicles' unique individual mobility, high drivability performance, reliability, and durability, as shown in its consecutive entries in the Dakar Rallies since 1991. It is a clear indication at the same time of the overall capabilities of the whole team. Of the 52 trucks that participated in the Truck Division, only 28 units reached the goal. How difficult and severe this rally was is indicated by a rally completion ratio of only 53.8%. The venue of the Goal Ceremony was "The Rural Palace," an exhibition center in the city in which the vehicle inspection was also held. In fine weather raising the ambient temperatures to over 35 degrees Celsius, a few thousand people enthusiastically cheered the entrants, generating a lively and festive atmosphere suitable for the completion of such a great Dakar Rally.

Car 2, the Hino 500 Series vehicle, arrived at the podium around 3:30 p.m. (local time). Teruhito Sugawara and Seiichi Suzuki received winner's trophies for the Production Vehicle Class and the Class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters, and firmly shook hands with Kiminori Orikasa, in charge of developing Dakar vehicles, who had flown in all the way from Japan to congratulate them on their victory. They responded to energetic cheers from the spectators by waving hands with Car 1's crew, Yoshimasa Sugawara and Katsumi Hamura, and with the 5 Hino mechanics. All the official schedules for the second difficult rally in South America have ended. The organizer, ASO, clarified that while there is a possibility of choosing Argentina and Chile again for the next rally, an African route through Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt is also being considered.   

Kiminori Orikasa (General Manager of Technical Management Technical Management Division, Hino Motors, Ltd., in charge of developing Dakar vehicles)
I was greatly moved when I saw our vehicles reach the goal. To be honest, after working on the vehicles all year, exerting utmost effort and receiving great support from all the companies involved, we finally feel that we could exhibit our real potential. Although we encountered some trouble, we earnestly wish to convert everything we experienced this year to fulfill our objectives next year.

Toshihisa Sakaki (General Manager of Corporate Communications Department, Corporate Planning Division, Hino Motors, Ltd.)
We are extremely excited and impressed seeing our vehicle complete the rally with the concerted effort of all team members. As we intend to participate in future rallies, we sincerely hope we will have your continued support and cheers. 

Teruhito Sugawara (Car 2 Driver)
We are satisfied as we had such a stronger drive to generate top results in this rally. It was an effort requiring the utmost dedication and spirit of all team members working together to constantly maintain and service the vehicles, allowing us as drivers to do our work without incurring any damage to the vehicles. Although it seems that there is a possibility of shifting the rally location to Africa, we feel the more severe road surfaces in South America may have been more advantageous for our Hino 500 Series vehicles.
 

Seiichi Suzuki (Car 2 Navigator)
We finally made it. Although we are happy to reach the goal, we feel a sense of bitter abandonment without Car 1 beside us on the victory podium. Car 2 held the course quite steadily until the very end.

Yoshimasa Sugawara (Car 1 Driver)
We are extremely happy to see Car 2 become the first winner of the Production Vehicle Class. We are grateful for the mechanics who so thoroughly inspected and serviced the vehicles every day. Although it was unfortunate that we were sidelined, I am already full of fighting spirit to compete in the next rally more than ever before. Thank you very much.   

Katsumi Hamura (Car 1 Navigator)
Although I thought this rally was difficult, due to the great number of pitfalls, I am happy that Car 2 exerted their efforts to generate these fine results. It is still hard to bear or control my feeling standing on the podium like this, considering that we were sidelined at such a crucial point in the race.

Takayuki Monma (Mechanic, Hino Motors, Ltd.)
I am extremely happy to see Car 2 reach the goal with such high standings. On the other hand, it is a real pity that Car 2 could not complete the rally. We would definitely like to take our revenge once again, manufacturing superior vehicles, and using this mortification as an impetus to achieving a breakthrough next year.

Shinobu Kitamura (Mechanic, Hokkaido Hino Motors, Ltd.)
I was touched by the atmosphere at the goal. Everything we do aims at this. It took me a while and I had difficulty getting used to this rally, but I really enjoyed it. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everybody.

Takashi Yamazaki (Mechanic, Tokyo Hino Motors, Ltd.)
Although it was a shock to see Car 1 sideline, it was really good to see Car 2 generate such good results. Although I am slightly tired, I have the greatest feeling.

Jun Mizuno (Mechanic, Aichi Hino Motors, Ltd.)
We reached the goal after all. We all worked together for two weeks, but I felt time sped by all too quickly. I was quite impressed with the atmosphere at the goal.

Naoya Nakano (Mechanic, Hiroshima Hino Motors, Ltd.)
I feel as if all my fatigue instantly left me in our great excitement at reaching the goal. I have no memory of the difficulties nor of the pains; everything I experienced now seems great and enjoyable. I felt that the past two weeks rushed by so quickly.

 

Truck Division Overall Standings	Driver (Make)
1st	CHAGIN (KAMAZ)
2nd	KABIROV (KAMAZ)
3rd	VAN VLIET (GINAF)
4th	MACIK (LIAZ)
5th	MARDEEV (KAMAZ)
7th (*Winner/Winner)	TERUHITO SUGAWARA (HINO)
Sidelined due to regulations	YOSHIMASA SUGAWARA (HINO)

(*The results in the Production Vehicle Class and in the Class with an engine displacement of below 10 liters are shown in the parentheses.)

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

 

Car 2 arriving at the podium with the mechanics.  / Car 2 arriving at the podium.

Sugawara and Suzuki receiving the trophy.  / Teruhito Sugawara dousing the winner's champagne at the podium to celebrate their victory.

Hino Team Sugawara winning the victory in the Production Vehicle Division. / Hino mechanics who contributed to putting up such a good fight.

Buenos Aires (Argentina)