1 Day Before Race Day

Ceremonial Start in Asunción, Paraguay

On Jan. 1, 2017, teams took part in a ceremonial start that was held in Asunción. This start was purely ceremonial and actual racing will begin on Jan. 2. The schedule for the day had contestants leave the Parc-Fermes (vehicle storage area) for a cruise throughout the city before they headed for the podium that was set up near the president's official residence in the city's outskirts. After their appearance at the podium, all vehicles returned to the Parc-Fermes. While this start was strictly ceremonial, having their vehicles introduced one by one and taking off from the podium was enough for all contestants to make the mental shift to full-blown racing mode. Members of HINO TEAM SUGAWARA also came together in anticipation of the 13-day battle that was finally to kick off the next day on Jan. 2.