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Stage 8

January 11(Local time), Jun had his long cherished desire that starting from Uyuni Salt Flats but he could not enjoy breath taking sight due to he was busy besides the dawn time. He started the race with seething mass.

Some cars started in every 5 minute and Jun pedalled to metal till 60km point along the groove. Only 4 time Jun lifted his foot off the gas pedal during 130km run in Uyuni Salt Flats. Jun was feeling so good and that was easy course for him without the power steering. After Uyuni Salt Flats, the road changed to bad with lots of stones at 4000 high. He lost control the car many times and the road was so hard to him. Jun slid off the course 2 times. Without the power steering, there is the case breaks the driver’s fingers by the shock from the road surface. However he tided over the shock from the bad road.

Jun hit the car and the tire made contact with the break and it did not work yesterday. Left break hose of front was grazed and broken then break fluid leaked out. Jun fix it at the liaison and the team mate waited for him during repair.

Jun and the team mate failed to climb the sand dune but they helped each other in the last part of the course. Two cars ran side by side in the last 40 km and crossed the finish line of Iquique together where the team was waiting for them. Jun thanked to the team mate for their support.

French mechanics waited for Jun in Iquique admired him who completed 1000km without the power steering. Jun got a muscle pain of his arms but he felt
easy beecause he could finish the marathon stage safely. Tomorrow is the day off and hope he takes enough rest and prepares for the rest of stages.

Liaison:24km
SS:781km
Total:805km
T2 Autos Result:1st
Overall standings:26th

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Stage 7

January 10(Local time), today was the first marathon stage for 4 wheels since Dakar Rally came to South America. This is 2 days race without support from the team. In order to avoid any possible danger and response quickly in case any troubles happened, each car runs with their teammate as rendezvous in this course.

Alain was nervous since they left the camp ground. He minded the map but lost in a town during the Liaison. Jun would go to slow ’cause today was long marathon course after they entered into SS but Alain did not like it….. Their start was a bit awkwarded. Jun’s car fell down the gully and the power steering damaged like yesterday. Jun fixed broken left front wheel by himself and after he thought to follow the team mate for safety but Alain let them go forward.

Jun started the race again but a deplorable road waited for him. Rain got harder and the road went so much muddy. The course layout was along the dry riverbed and the debacles everywhere. The situation was so dangerous. Jun kept running about in confusion in the road 200km with many crevasses by the heavy rain and he finished the race as the top without power steering.

Tomorrow’s course starts in Uyuni Salt Flats and every vehicles start all together. The distance of SS is 370km and straight run 130km in Uyuni Salt Flats, and it is so lucky for Jun who does not have the power steering. He only have to do is driving with a patience for rest of 240km then go to the highland at 4000m high. Jun’s car is not perfect condition without the power steering but he wants to back to Iquique where the team waits for him to connect to the next stage.

Bibouc place of today was the facility that made in the military base with a security by Army. The air is thin in the highland, and Jun is huffing and puffing in every move like just take a shower. Jun advised to Alain not to move often and slept on the bed for each but like all crowded together for tomorrow.

Liaison:396km
SS:321km
Total:717km
T2 Autos Result:1st
Overall standings:27th

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