R.I.P Kenjiro Shinozuka (Nov 20th 1948 - Mar 18th 2024)

Kenjiro Shinozuka, who was the first Japanese driver to win a WRC event and the Paris-Dakar Rally, has sadly passed away at the age of 75, following a battle with cancer. Born in Tokyo, Kenjiro competed in Japanese rallies whilst working as a employee of Mitsubishi Motors and in 1988 he won the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4.
It was in 1991 when Kenjiro made history by winning the Ivory Coast Rally alongside co-driver John Meadows and becoming the first Japanese driver to win a WRC event. He went on to victory once again at the same event the following year and other notable successes came in the Paris-Dakar Rally, where he scored a third and second place in 1987 and 1988 respectively, going on to became the first Japanese winner of the Dakar Rally in 1997, driving a Mitsubishi Pajero.
As a fitting tribute to a successful motorsport career, Kenjiro was inducted into the Japanese Automobile hall of fame in 2022.
R.I.P. Shinozuka San
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[@12namleht]

God's Speed...Prayers for his family...

[@daniels.2720]

RIP Shinozuka

[@richardonyoni8015]

Rest in peace legend Shinozuka-san.

[@user-ui7fj8by6d]

Very sad news"..shared tears for this Champion Japanese Rally and Safari driver"..R.I.P Champion"..
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[@hardcoreep]

Wow, sorry to see him go.

[@3758472]

I remember watching him in the paris dakar in the 90s

[@PeterJohansson-hb1se]

Kenjiro son. Kempele the smile, even on the otherside. Travel In peace.

[@theprices417]

Was part of his WRC rally service crew in 1989-2000. Very well respected and friendly man. RIP.

[@felipepavzin9208]

ONE OF A KIND IN THE RALLYING WORLD. GOD SPEED ❤❤❤

[@42Takeshi42]

RIP legend .....

[@michaelstaunton1632]

RIP 🕯️

[@carseyeadmire]

RIP Kenjiro😢

[@minibus9]

a great driver. RIP

[@ArnoldTriyudho]

FYI, his son was in Kamen Rider Fourze

[@JoseVazquez-nw9hi]

💪💪💪