Hiroshi Masuoka

Hiroshi Masuoka (増岡 浩 Masuoka Hiroshi) (born 13 March 1960) is a Japanese rally driver. His most notable achievement was his back-to-back successes in the Dakar Rally in 2002 and 2003, only the fourth driver in the event's history to win in consecutive years.^[1] He was also victorious in the 2003 Baja Italy and the 2004 UAE Desert Challenge.^[2]

Throughout his career he has been employed as a works driver by Mitsubishi, typically driving a Pajero. The 2009 Dakar Rally was his 21st and final participation in the rally, after which he retired along with Mitsubishi's withdrawal from the event. During his Dakar career, he won 25 stages, putting him fifth in the all-time list for the car category. He is now Senior Expert of Mistubishi's Public Relations Department.^[3]

He currently resides in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, with his wife Chiaki and son Shoichiro.^[2]

Hiroshi Masuoka - Dakar 2009

Dakar Rally results

Year	Class	Vehicle	Result	Stages
1987	Car	Mitsubishi	29th	2
1988			DNF	0
1989	Did not enter
1990	Car	Mitsubishi	10th	0
1991			95th	0
1992			20th	0
1993			DNF	0
1994			4th	0
1995			10th	0
1996			6th	1
1997			4th	1
1998			4th	2
1999			6th	0
2000			6th	1
2001			2nd	5
2002			1st	5
2003			1st	4
2004			2nd	4
2005			DNF	0
2006			DNF	0
2007			5th	0
2008	Event cancelled – replaced by Central Europe Rally
2009	Car	Mitsubishi	DNF	0

References

1. "Mitsubishi Motors Takes Third Straight Dakar Rally Title", Mitsubishi Motors press release, January 20, 2003
2. Official page, Pajero-dakar.com
3. "Triumph on Pikes Peak", dSpace Magazin, January, 2015, p.50

External links