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January 05(Local date), Jun challenged to the stage 1 and finished 3rd in T2 Autos class. First day’s course was the dirt surface and the mountain path. SS course was so narrow and tight, there’s no chances to pass by the leading car, he drove the car carefully due to the stones and the stubs dotted on the road all day.

Then the abhorrent point came on the way. Jun had to run more carefully around 20-30km from the start. Because the road surface looked like same as the point his car wiped out and left out from the rally last year. Also he awaked gear ratio of transmission was not fit yet, he was not able to a magic carpet ride. However his running pace was good and Jun cleared 1st stage without troubles. Jun also overcame last year’s setback today.

Just after Jun caught up Foj who ran 2nd, he was speeding up suddenly. Jun kept following Foj, he brought Gibon of 1st who is Jun’s team mate into sight. Jun chased the leading cars but the situation was too difficult to pass by. Baggies were making up ground from back and Jun gave away though their pace was down. Gibson and Foj ran away while Jun was trying to overtake baggies. However Jun kept close range from the team mates and the rivals. After that he crossed the goal of the first day with safety.

Jun told that he succeeded to breake down the last year’s trauma and he want to take back the aplomb by keep driving with believing in himself. It was not so good feeling in his mind actually. Today was like “Turn a misfortune into a blessing” so to speak. We hope to see his usual driving from tomorrow.

Dakar Rally 2014 Stage 1 Result:
Liaison:629 km
SS:180km
T2 Autos Result: 3rd
Overall standings: 43rd

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Starting Ceremony

January 04(Local date), all of the rally vehicles came up to the starting ceremony place and it began in Rosario the third biggest city of Argentina. Just before the start of Dakar Rally, the passional mood for the rally filled a whole city.

The stating ceremony held under the bright blue sky, rainy days continued till today but the weather turned so good and the temperature heated up by as much as 30 degrees. All cars departed the parc ferme and made a big parade on the street to the place then Jun showed up on the podium of the ceremony at 18:40(Local time). 6km parade run that watched by huge people on the both side of the road was a sight to see as usual. Jun looked like had a deep emotion during the parade, and said.
“I spent the time for this rally a year but it passed by like a flash. Even I felt 2 weeks of the rally is so much long till yesterday”

Jun got the official, Russian and Dutch media interviews. They asked about the race of the commercial vehicle division and Jun’s comment expressed his large-scaled mind.
“From tomorrow, the road of Argentina is narrow and hard to pass by the leading vehicles I have to accept the patience during early part of the race. There are lots of stones, rocks and stubs everywhere and I will control myself to protect the car from accidents.”
He continued.
“The rally course extended 1200km and days became shortened 1day the race must be tough. Longer way to go, many hard places, short time, I feel it backed to the old Dakar Rally of African days. I appreciate every day and drive to the win”

The rally starts 7:30(Local time) tomorrow. Finally 5500km battle begins !

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Sorry, this entry is only available in 日本語.

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