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January 9(Local date), Team Land Cruiser (TLC) announced officially.
TLC Car No.1(#341 Mitsuhashi/Guehennec) gave up continue the race in the stock car category of Dakar Rally 2013 due to the drive train had the serious problem.
http://www.toyota-body.co.jp/dakar/pc/news/2012/44.html

The crew of TLC found the drive train trouble and the team decided JUN’s car #341 needs the changing the parts. JUN gave up the race in the stock car category. The car #341 switch the category to the modified car category and he continues the rally as the supporeter of TLC car No.2(#343).

Yesterday’s stage was so long and JUN arrived the bivouac at a late hour of the night and the mechanics maintained and fixed the car till the morning. The bad news brought to JUN when he woke up. The condition of the car was better than the last year till yesterday and it was a bolt from the blue for him. However JUN face to this situation and run till the end.

This is the painful announcement for the people who cheers and support JUN but please continue your kindly support for him and the team.

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Sorry, this entry is only available in 日本語.

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Report #05 “Stage04 Nazca > Arequipa”

January 08(Local date), JUN finished the stage 4, it is the catastasis of the first half of Dakar Rally 2013. He arrived to the bivouac at 22:00(Local time) and the first thing JUN said was “I’m so tired !”. Today was the bad luck day for him.

JUN followed the teammate car with enough distance between cars, because when the antecessor change the direction suddenly, the follower will be faced the danger to crush with the car embedded in the sand. Unfortunately the car No.343 of the TLC team stuck in the sand and JUN helped to pull out the car for escaping and spend the time.

TLC team cars headed to the bowl-shaped sand dune next together. The theory to attack this kind of the sand dune is backing down the slope of the bowl-shaped first then run up the steep hill. The car No.343 downed the slope before JUN and ran through the sand dune safely.

JUN started down the hill next but another team’s car fallen down the slope and blocked JUN’s way. He stood on the middle of the slope and there was no way to get out. JUN put the boards in front of the car to escape but it did not work. Get the fallen car out of the way was the only choice. Other cars arrived and helped to bail-out the fallen car from the slope later. At last JUN succeeded to get out. However it became the big time loss for him.

After that, JUN finished the stage 4 at a good rate but the sand broke into the clutch and he could not increase his pace as JUN wanted.

JUN spent a long time for the stage 4 but he was not in a lather and he believes there are lots of chances to catch up from tomorrow. Hope JUN rest up enough for the stage 5.

Dakar Rally 2013 Stage 04 Result:

Liaison: 288km
SS: 429km
Overall standings: 44th

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