Development of 'Camion' truck winner at '97 Dakar Rally

摘要

In the '97 Dakar Rally, Hino FT model, 8,000cc engine truck, won 1st, 2nd and 3rd places by defeating upperclass trucks having engine of 19,000cc. The average speed of the '97 Hino model was increased more than 15 km/h over the '96 model by improving the riding comfort and handling stability. Larger diameter tires, and softer parabolic leaf springs with long and inclined axle-locus for reducing road impact, gas charged dampers, suspension rods which control compliance-steer-motion and wind-up motion of unsprung masses were adopted for the '97 model.