5 Quotes by Hiroshi Masuoka

I first participated in the Dakar Rally 18 years ago. Racing cars was my interest and I was lucky to get a breakthrough. My first race was in 1987 and since then I have taken part every year. It is a very difficult race.

We passed a crossroads with some spectators and then saw a dip ahead; it was far too late to slow down. We rolled and the car went over twice.

We saw this obstacle in the track far too late and we went over twice. We passed a crossroads with some spectators and then it was too late to slow for this obstacle and we crashed.

For me, I feel more at home in the dunes and the camel grass where I have a lot of experience and can use that to my advantage. But the number of days through the most difficult areas of desert is fewer this year. In fact, I would say we have three good days where I feel I can make a big difference.

It was not a good day for me. I punctured trying to overtake a motorcycle and then it just got worse. Now I will have to push a little on Thursday to gain back some time.