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Ralliart Inc. (President: Masao TAGUCHI) have been awarding "Mitsubishi Motors/Ralliart Driver of the Year" since 1987 to praise the driver who competed actively in a race or rally season or won a championship title with a Mitsubishi vehicle inside or outside Japan. It was decided that the prize will be awarded for 6 drivers for their achievements in 2005, who will be the 19th winners. The prize giving ceremony was held on Wednesday, December 1st in Tokyo for the drivers in Japan. For drives outside Japan may be awarded him through Mitsubishi car dealer in his country.
In 2005 Japanese motor sport season, the drivers and team's crews entered with Mitsubishis such as Lancer Evolution or Mirage in the All Japan Championships for Rallies, Dirt Trials and Gymkhanas and also in Super Taikyu Series made remarkable results. After all the 5 drivers clinching champions at the end of the season were awarded these prizes. "Mitsubishi Mortors/Ralliart Driver of the Year" has been awarded to 87 drivers and 9 teams in total in Japan from 1987 to 2005.
Outside Japan, these prizes were given to the drivers who have been competed actively in FIA Production Car World Rally Championship(PWRC) and FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship(APRC) with a Mitsubishi vehicle since 2003. This year Jussi Valimaki who won FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Champion was the prize winner. The number of such foreign drivers is cumulated to 100 since 1987.
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Participated in Japanese Rally Championship for 4WD Division C class (2001cc~) with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Won 3 times among 5 events and clinched C Class champion for the 6th time including 4 consecutive seasons. Won this prize for 7 times.
Participated in All Japan Dirt Trial Championship N3Class(4WD, N car, 1601cc~) with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Won 5 times among 8 events and clinched All Japan Dirt Trial Champion for the 3rd time. Won this prize for 3 times.
Participated in All Japan Gymkhana Championship for N4Class(4WD, N car, 1001cc~) with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Won once among 7 events and clinched All Japan Champion for the 6th time. Won this prize twice consecutively.
Lives Nagoya City, Aichi Pref./Age 44 Profession.Office worker
Participated in All Japan Gymkhana Championship for SA3Class(4WD, SA car, without restriction on cubic capacity) with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Won 4 times among 7 events and clinched the Champion. Won this prize for 3 times.
Lives in Tokushima City, Tokushima Pref./Age 40
Participated in All Japan Gymkhana Championship for SC Class( SC car, without restriction on cubic capacity) with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Won all the 7 events and clinched the Champion. Won this prize for 4 times.
Participated in Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Won 4 times and clinched the champion. Made one-off entries in WRC and classified at 4th at Swedish Rally for Group N. Won this prize for the first time.