Hiroshi Masuoka

Hiroshi Masuoka

(Japan - 13 March 1960)

An employee of Ralliart Inc., the Japanese driver first raced in 1979. He showed impressive results in various smaller events before going on to compete in international competitions. Masuoka contested the Dakar for the first time in 1987, and in 1990 he achieved an impressive victory in the T2 class and finished tenth overall. In November 2000 Masuoka took part in the Baja 2000, one of the toughest off-road races, held in North America. In this motorsport event, unlike the European events, the drivers cover 2,500 km non-stop in their cars. Masuoka and his 3 team members drove near-production Mitsubishi Pajeros and took victory in the 3-litre category in less than 55 hours. Taking part in the Baja gave him invaluable experience for competing in the 2001 Dakar, in which he finished second overall. In 2002, on his 15th attempt, the time had come. Masuoka won after leading the field for 12 stages and also being in front at the finish. In the same year he started in the Morocco Rally and took second place. Good results and his growing popularity made him one of the top drivers in the world.