Renowned for his achievements in both the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the Dakar Rally, Japanese driver Kenjiro Shinozuka made history as the first Japanese racer to secure outright victories in both disciplines.
Born in Tokyo, Shinozuka’s illustrious career with Mitsubishi saw him claim the Asia-Pacific championship in 1988 alongside co-driver Fred Gocentas. His breakthrough in the WRC came in 1991 when he triumphed at the Ivory Coast rally, marking the first WRC victory for a Japanese driver.
Shinozuka’s prowess in challenging rallies was evident with subsequent victories in the WRC, notably in 1991 and 1992. His success extended to the Dakar Rally, where he secured podium finishes and clinched an outright victory in 1997, becoming the first Japanese driver to achieve this milestone.
Despite a career-threatening crash in 2003, Shinozuka displayed remarkable resilience by returning to competition the following year. His enduring legacy in motorsport was recognized with his induction into the Japanese Automobile Hall of Fame in 2022, cementing his status as a pioneering figure in Japanese motorsport history.
