Hiroshi Masuoka
Hiroshi Masuoka (born March 13, 1960 ) is a Japanese marathon rally driver who is particularly known for his victories in the Dakar Rally .
Masuoka took part in his first off-road rally in 1979 . In 1987 he took part in the Dakar Rally for the first time. In 1990 he won the T2 class of near-series vehicles. In 1994 he became a driver for the Mitsubishi works team and achieved fourth place in the overall ranking of the Dakar Rally. During the course of the year, Masuoka began working with co-pilot Andreas Schulz , who remained his co-driver until 1999. A year later they made tenth place in the Dakar Rally and also finished the UAE Desert Challenge very well with fourth place. In 1997 Masuoka set a high point of his career with a second place. The following year he was also well among the front runners and finished the Dakar Rally in fourth place. In 2001 Masuoka was second again.
Masuoka's greatest moment came in 2002 when he won the Dakar Rally in a Mitsubishi Pajero . He was only the second Japanese after Kenjirō Shinozuka to achieve this success. In 2003 Masuoka was able to defend his title, this time in the new Pajero Evolution . He also won the Baja Italy . In 2004 he finished second behind his team-mate Stéphane Peterhansel at the Dakar Rally . He then resigned for the time being.
A few months later, Masuoka returned to the cockpit in October 2004 and won the UAE Desert Challenge on his sixth participation. He had to give up the 2005 Dakar Rally due to engine problems. At the second event of the 2005 season, the Rally Tunisia , Masuoka made it onto the podium with a third place. In 2006, after an accident in Morocco, he lost his chance of a third overall victory in the Dakar Rally. At the 2007 Dakar Rally , Masuoka only finished sixth as he had to change the clutch and lost a lot of time as a result. The 2009 Dakar Rally he had to retire already at the first stage.
successes
2002
- Victory in the Dakar Rally
2003
- Victory in the Dakar Rally
- Win Baja Italy
2004
- UAE Desert Challenge wins
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Masuoka, Hiroshi |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Japanese rally raid driver |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 13, 1960 |