Hiroshi Masuoka drove for pride in Mauritania on Friday and recorded the fastest time in the 15th stage despite seeing his hopes of winning the Dakar Rally for the third consecutive year nearly dashed.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution driver, currently second behind French teammate Stephane Peterhansel, completed the 579-km stage from Tidjikja to Nouakchott in 6 hours, 52 minutes, 35 seconds to narrow the gap between the overall leader by over nine minutes. Matsuoka now trails by 55 minutes, 53 seconds with three days remaining in the 2004 Dakar Rally.