Driver Kenjiro Shinozuka, the first Japanese man to win the Paris-Dakar Rally, died this Monday at the age of 75 from pancreatic cancer, Japanese media reported.
Shinozuka first competed in major off-road racing in 1986, coinciding with Mitsubishi’s infatuation with the specialty, and became champion nine years later in 1997 driving a Pajero.
The Japanese finished second in 1988 and 1998 and third in 1987, 1992, 1995 and 2002, taking part in the Dakar until 2007, despite being involved in a serious accident in 2003, after which he fell into an induced coma.
Shinozuka was born in Tokyo and joined Mitsubishi as a mechanic, beginning his racing career in the Japanese Rally Championship, a category in which he scored two world championship victories, both at the Ivory Coast Rally, in 1991 and 1992.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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