Dakar Rally 2015: Hino Motors Wins 6th Straight Championship in the "Under 10-litre Class" of the Trucks Category

Event

Jan 19, 2015

―Also achieves record 24th consecutive finish since the company's first entry in the race―

Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) won its sixth consecutive championship in the Under 10-litre Class in the Trucks category, and also achieved its 24th*1 consecutive finish in Dakar Rally 2015. Starting in Argentina and finishing in Chile, the rally was held from January 3 through January 17 (local time).

Hino was the first Japanese truck maker to enter this rally in 1991. In 1997, the company entered three trucks, and became the first company to achieve a 1-2-3 finish in its category. Subsequently, the company has been champion in fourteen out of fifteen*2 applicable years in the Under 10-litre Class since it was set up in 1996, and is recognized as a true powerhouse in the Trucks category.

This year again, Hino has teamed up with Team Sugawara―led by drivers Yoshimasa Sugawara, who has so far made a record 33 entries in this rally, and his son Teruhito Sugawara―to form HINO TEAM SUGAWARA and enter the rally with two HINO500 Series trucks. To stay abreast of this race which has been increasingly becoming high-speed oriented over the years, Car 1 driven by Yoshimasa Sugawara was joined by one more navigator to reduce the crew's workload and improve their racing performance. Additionally, the team increased its roster of supporting mechanics by one, and dispatched four of Hino's best and brightest who were chosen from among Hino dealerships throughout Japan.

As a result, although Teruhito Sugawara's truck suffered a radiator problem that was likely to have been caused by a flying stone, his truck subsequently clocked times that came neck and neck with those of leaders in the overall Trucks category―which was populated by 64 trucks most of which were powered by engines with almost twice the displacement of that of the Hino trucks―to achieve the team's 6th straight championship in the Under 10-litre Class, and 16th in the overall Trucks category. Yoshimasa Sugawara came in at 2nd in the Under 10-litre Class and 32nd overall. As a result, the father and son team were able to achieve a 1-2 finish in their class just as they did last year.

By taking part in the world's top level race, Hino aims to share the excitement of racing with customers and motor fans around the world, and build on the spirit of challenge and technological capabilities honed through this experience to deliver products and services that benefit our customers.

*1 This was the company's 24th entry in the race since 1991, except for 2008 when the race was canceled due to political instability.
*2 The Under 10-litre Class was not instated in the 2003, 2004, and 2006 events.

Car 2 is awarded the Under 10-litre Class Championship at the podium.
Teruhito Sugawara is tossed into the air by his team members.
HINO500 Series truck wins 6th straight championship in the Under 10-litre Class in the Trucks category, Dakar Rally 2015.

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Comments

Yasuhiko Ichihashi (President, Member of the Board of Hino Motors, Ltd.): This is the first time I've been at a Dakar Rally finish and it was quite a moving experience. The team did exceptionally well. These are great results also for all Hino employees who have been supporting the team.

Yoshimasa Sugawara (Team director and driver of Car 1): I'm feeling relieved now that we've delivered the results that we expected to. I was in good physical condition and was able to drive comfortably despite the fact that I'm a year older now. I think the upgrades to the truck as well as the training I've been doing has had an effect.

Yoko Wakabayashi (Navigator of Car 1): Tears came rolling out when we finished and received the medal. This was my very first experience in the Dakar Rally, and I was given the opportunity to navigate in the team's first attempt at a three-person crew. It was quite difficult at first to find my groove. I personally can't give myself a passing grade but the experience has been invaluable.

Katsumi Hamura (Navigator of Car 1): We went through a lot but I'm happy that we finished without much event. This was the first three-person crew for me in a long time, so it was hard at first just getting used to it.

Teruhito Sugawara (Driver of Car 2): I was secretly aiming for a top 10 spot in the overall Trucks category, but that will have to wait. That said, compared to races up to last year where we've been just pushing our trucks to the limit, I think we've taken a huge step forward in that the truck feels like it can do more, and that there is more room for performance upgrades. This was a meaningful race that gave us hope for the future.

Hiroyuki Sugiura (Navigator of Car 2): I'm personally not happy with our 16th place finish in the overall Trucks category. I want for us to be able to keep up with our bigger rivals.

Seiichi Suzuki (Mechanic leader): The problem we had on Car 2's radiator was partially due to luck, or lack of such, but I'm glad the countermeasures we took, such as the addition of flaps (flaps that could be opened and closed), proved to be effective. Our rivals are getting faster so I will keep up my work for next year.

Takeshi Suenaga (Mechanic sub-leader): Watching our team finish was a moving experience. I'm really glad that we've been able to come this far. The assistance team this year was made up of the finest members so I hope we get the chance to work together again someday.

Hironaga Hayashi (Mechanic): I feel like I could've have done more, but in any case I'm relieved that we were able to finish. I've always admired the Dakar Rally, so I'm truly happy that we were able to finish without much event.

Shunsuke Sugawara (Mechanic): The finish was a moving experience. Our work ended when we saw the trucks out this morning, but personally, I would've liked to conclude this by servicing the trucks back to tip top shape again, after their last day of racing. I feel a bit sad in that sense.

Hiroya Fukuno (Mechanic): The race just zipped by so quickly. I'm happy that we were able to finish. I haven't had much sleep over the last 2 weeks but I'm feeling great and would like to let my colleagues back home know what I'm feeling.

Takashi Masuda (Mechanic): There were so many things that I felt from being here on site as a member of the team. There was so much to learn. There are quite a few Dakar Rally veterans among my seniors in Hiroshima, and I too hope that my juniors can come here to have this experience.

Katsuyuki Nagoshi (Engineer): The drivers gave me thumbs up for the A09C engines' control maps before we reached the finish line. Speaking of problems, there were none after we replaced the turbo waste gate in the first half. I think we've accomplished what we came here to do for my second year on the team.

Please visit our official "DAKAR" website.
https://www.hino-global.com/corp/dakar/index.html

Please visit our official website for the "Dakar Rally 2015 Race Report" where you will find detailed daily coverage of the race.
https://www.hino-global.com/corp/dakar/latest_news/index.html

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