CREW FACTS…

TS

• He was only eleven when his father Yoshimasa took on the Dakar for the first time on a bike before switching to trucks and finishing five times second in 36 appearances. In other words Teruhito is a child of the Dakar and has learned from one of the greatest first as a navigator for his dad and then as the driver of his own Hino truck.
• The Japanese has taken part in 18 Dakar rallies and has only finished three times outside of the Top 15.
• After a fine spot last year, the 52-year-old father of two will once again be starting the Dakar alongside mechanic Yuji Mochizuki and navigator Hirokazu Somemiya.
• The goal will once again be to finish as high up as possible in the standings and continue promoting the Hino brand.

YM

• Like most of the members on board the Dakar Hino truck, Yuji Mochizuki is a full-time employee of the Japanese brand. That’s in the philosophy of the squad. He joined the company in 2003 and was assigned to the Power Train Evaluation and Engineering division. where he was engaged in evaluations for engine development. 
• The mechanic who is also a keen amateur driver in adventure raids in Japan will be starting his 6^th Dakar in the cabin of boss Teruhito.
• His best performance remains his 6^th spot last January.

HS

• Before becoming the navigator of Teruhito Sugawara, Hirokazu Somemiya was behind the steering wheel of a rally car, competing in Japanese races from 2011 to 2015.
• He switched to the co-driver’s seat and moved to cross-country taking part in numerous rallies in Japan and overseas including the Baja 1000 and the Asia Cross Country Rally where he served as navigator and communications manager for driver Ikuo Hanawa.
• Ever since the Dakar moved to Saudi Arabia, the 52-year-old has been part of Teruhito Sugawara’s crew. This Dakar 2025 will therefore be his 6^th experience in the Hino truck.