SENSATIONAL SIXTH FOR HINO IN 2024 DAKAR RALLY

News

25 Jan

Hino has produced yet another excellent result in the 2024 Dakar Rally, finishing sixth out of forty seven entrants in its bonneted Hino 600 Series truck.

The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally took place from 5th – 19th January 2024 on a challenging course split into 12 stages raced over more than 8,000 kilometres.

New for 2024 was a 48 hour chrono – or marathon - stage held over two days in which the competitors raced over 750 kilometres before sleeping overnight on sand in pop-up tents, followed by another challenging 549 kilometres on the following day.

It was the 33rd successive Dakar Rally finish for Hino since 1991 when it became the first Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer to enter the rally.

Due to a rule change from the rally organisers regarding hybrid trucks, Hino Team Sugawara removed the hybrid system that it has been competing with for the past two years.

This change and the associated reduction in weight increased the Hino 600 Series’ ability to compete with its larger rivals, pushing it further up the standings.

Teruhito Sugawara, driver and Team Director of Hino Team Sugawara was joined onboard by co-drivers Hirokazu Somemiya and Yuji Mochizuki, with support members of Hino Team Sugawara providing assistance during the rally.

Hino Australia Vice President of Brand & Franchise Development Richard Emery praised the team’s excellent results:

“At Hino Australia, we have been proud sponsors of Team Sugawara for over a decade, and we are thrilled to see them finish sixth,” said Mr Emery.

“In yet another challenging Dakar Rally, the bonneted Hino 600 Series truck has demonstrated the quality, durability and reliability that Hino is notorious for,” he concluded.

The Hino Dakar Rally 600 Series features full-time 4WD and is powered by a 9 litre direct injection, turbocharged and intercooled A09C engine with turbo intercooler.