Masuoka thrills at Mitsubishi 4×4 Dakar Rally Experience in Kuching

Kuching, 26 March 2011 – It was an exciting weekend for Sarawakians as they recently had a taste of the Dakar Rally Experience for the first time and the opportunity to ride on a special high speed taxi-ride with two-time Dakar Rally Champion Hiroshi Masuoka from Japan.  The Mitsubishi 4×4 Dakar Rally Experience took place at Travilion recently from 19-20 March. Being the first event of its kind to be held in Kuching, some 4,000 people attended the two-day event which concluded with a magnificent fireworks display.
Sarawakians were given a rare chance to join in on a ride of a lifetime when Hiroshi Masuoka took the lead with the special high speed rides by showcasing the capabilities of the award-winning Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Triton. Masuoka became the second only Japanese driver in history to win the Dakar Rally in year 2002 with the official Mitsubishi team in a Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero. The Japanese rally professional took over 500 passengers around a high speed course and gave them the feel of a real life Dakar Rally experience. Masuoka sustained the adrenalin rush of each ride, whilst barely breaking a sweat over the two-day event.
Furthermore, the rainy weather did not stop Masuoka. He continued to thrill by retaining superb control of the sturdy Mitsubishi 4×4 vehicles through the muddy terrain. The route transformed into a rutted track with knee deep mud pits but it did not deter the Japanese champion who adapted to the rough conditions and even power slid around the corners.