"Driver of the Year" domestic prize winners
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Since 1987, RALLIART INC. (President: Masao Taguchi) has commended participants who have become champions driving Mitsubishi cars in rally and circuit race series, both domestically and overseas, with a driver of the year award. 2009 marked the 23rd time for the awards, with two overseas recipients, ten domestic recipients, and one team receiving honors.
In the overseas category, drivers who have taken their respective titles in Mitsubishi cars in any of FIA-sanctioned championships, including Production World Rally Championship (PWRC), FIA regional championships (European, African, Middle East, Asia Pacific) and other corresponding rally championships, including the cross-country rally championship (CCR) etc. are eligible as candidates for the overseas award. In 2009, both FIA Production World Rally Championship (PWRC) winner Armindo Araujo (Portugl) and the FIA Europe Rally Cup - Central champion Vaclav Pech Jr. (Czech Republic) were chosen. The winners were awarded locally via their local Mitsubishi distributors.
Domestically, prizes were awarded to champions in Rally, Dirt trial, Gymkhana, and Super Taikyu championships to participants using the Lancer Evolution and Colt models, a total of ten drivers and one team being selected as prize-winners.
Continuing in 2010, the"Driver of the Year" award will once again be presented.
"Mitsubishi Motors /RALLIART 2009Driver of the Year" domestic award recipients
| Sec-tion |
Name of Prize-winners |
2009 Result/Profile |
| Rally |
Fumio NutaharaFumio Nutahara |
Participated in JN 4 class (2,001cc~)of All Japan Rally Championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. 4 victories from 9 rounds, for his 9th award.
Resident: Eniwa city in Hokkaido pref.
45years old
Occupation: Rally driver
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Nobuyuki Tanaka |
Participated in JN 2 class (1,501cc~1,600cc)of All Japan Rally Championship in a Mitsubishi Mirage. 4 victories from 9 rounds, for his first award.
Resident:Tomakomai city in Hokkaido pref.
57years old
Occupation:Insurance agency manager
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Kozue Ohi
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Participated in JN 1.5 class (1,401cc~1,500cc)of the All Japan Rally championship in a Mitsubishi Colt 1.5C. 4 victory from 9 rounds, for her first award and the first female driver to become champion.
Resident:Takasaki city in Gunma pref.
Occupation:Company employee
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| Dirt- trial |
Kouji YAMANO |
Participated in N3 class (N vehicle,4WD, 1,601cc~)of the All Japan Dirt Trial championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 victories from 9 rounds, for his first award.
Resident:Chiba city in Chiba pref.
Occupation:Company employee
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Shinsuke Arai
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Participated in SA2 class (SA vehicle,4WD)of the All Japan Dirt Trial championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 victories from 8 rounds, for the 5th year in a row on his way to a 7th championship title for his 7th award.
Resident:Maebashi city in Gunma pref.
52years old
Occupation:Company employee
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Masafumi Ohta |
Participated in SC1 class (SC vehicle,2WD)of the All Japan Dirt Trial championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 victories from 8 rounds, for his first award.
Resident:Tahara cuty in Aichi pref.
37years old
Occupation:Dairy Farmer
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Wataru Kochi |
Participated in D class (Free Modifications)of the All Japan Dirt Trial championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 victories from 8 rounds, for his two year successive winning as his 4th award.
Resident:Hiroshima city in Hiroshima pref.
51years old
Occupation:Building materials company manager.
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Gym-
khana |
Hiroshi Okano |
Participated in N4 class (N vehicle 4WD, 1,001cc~)of the All Japan Gymkhana championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 victories from 9 rounds, for hHis 2nd award since 1995.
Resident:Sakado city in Saitama pref.
43years old
Occupation:Metal processing industry company manager
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Kiyoshi Tenma |
Participated in SA3 class (SA vehicle 4WD) )of the All Japan Gymkhana Championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 victory from 9 rounds, for his 4th award.
Resident:Tokushima city in Tokushima pref.
44years old
Occupation:Motorshop manager
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Masahiko Tanimori |
Participated in SC class (SC vehicle )of the All Japan Gymkhana Championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6 victories from 9 rounds, for his 8th award.
Resident:Yakake town in Okayama pref.
40years old
Occupation:Company employee
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| Race |
Team ENDLESS SPORTS |
Participated in ST2 class (4WD,2,001cc-3,500cc)of the Super Taikyu series in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. 4 victories from 8 rounds for first award.
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(Center)Kyosuke Mineo
Resident: Hachioji city in Tokyo pref. 35years old
Occupation:
Company employee
(Right) Nobuhiro Murata
Resident: Miyoda town in Nagano pref. 39years old
Occupation:
Company employee
(Left) Shinichi Takagi
Resident: Chigasaki city in Kanagawa pref.36years old
Occupation:Racing driver
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"Mitsubishi Motors /RALLIART 2009Driver of the Year" Overseas award recipients
| Sec-tion |
Name of Prize-winners |
2009 Result/Profile |
| Rally |
Armindo Araujo |
Participated in the 2009 FIA Production World Rally Championship from RALLIART-Italy in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for his 2nd award.
Occupation: Rally driver.
Portuguese 32years old.
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Vaclav Pech Jr. |
Participated in the 2009 FIA Europa Rally Cup - Central in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. 2 victories from 6 rounds, champion for his 2nd award.
Occupation:Company management (Construction supplies processing)
Czech, 33 years old.
2006-2009 FIA Europe Rally Cup Central, champion.
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