Death of Kenjiro Shinozuka, first Japanese winner of the Paris-Dakar

The start of 2024 is sad for desert enthusiasts. A few months after the disappearances of René Metge and Jan de Rooy, it is the turn of Kenjiro Shinozuka to bow out. The former pilot died from devastating pancreatic cancer at the age of 75 this Monday, March 18, 2024.

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Kenjiro Shinozuka is part of this large cohort of drivers whose heart took the shape of the Mitsubishi diamond. Employee of the company from 1971, first as a car salesman as well as a dealership mechanic, he demonstrated rallying qualities and obtained a place in the Mitsu' factory team (national champion in 1971 and 1972) .

When Mitsubishi tries its hand at rally-raid in the mid-1980s, Kenjiro Shinozuka is logically involved in the adventure. His career there was brilliant (21 stage victories), but it was not until 1997 and a strange round trip to Dakar that he became the first Japanese winner of the legendary rally-raid, listening religiously to the announcements of his French co-pilot, Henri Magne.

Transferred to Nissan in 2003, he came very close to death following a terrible accident at the Paris-Dakar. His facial injuries and several days spent in a coma did not prevent him from returning to competition for a few more editions, but with the desire to pass the baton to the younger Japanese generation.

Still as passionate about Africa, he returned to the land of his exploits in 2018 by participating in the Africa Eco Race organized by his former opponent, Jean-Louis Schlesser. Despite his 70th birthday, he still had the “niaque” (37th at the finish in an Isuzu). “A lot of people my age don’t want to do anything anymore, he explained to France 3 Occitanie. But I want to drive to the Sahara again! This rally leaves Europe to Dakar, it's a real Dakar. » He planned to continue driving until he was 77. Probably because the number 7 brings good luck in Japanese culture.

In the 1990 Paris-Dakar, Shinozuka finished 5th with 2 stage victories.

Behind this love of the rally-raid hid an unfeigned generosity and sensitivity for the African population. Indeed, Kenjiro Shinozuka financed the construction of a Senegalese primary school with his personal funds in 2002. His philanthropy was profound: he used social networks to sell vintage derivative products (clothing, miniatures, teddy bears) from his career with Mitsubishi and raise money for the school. At the end of 2022, the town of Yoff located northwest of Dakar welcomed him with great fanfare to induct him as an honorary citizen.

In addition to the rally raid, Kenjiro Shinozuka distinguished himself in the World Rally Championship, twice winning one of the most difficult rounds of the calendar, the Ivory Coast Rally (1991, 92). Still driving a Mitsubishi, this time the Group A Galant VR-4.

In the fall of 2023, Kenjiro Shinozuka was invited by the Rally Japan organization to share the role of opening car with Michèle Mouton. The opportunity also to reconnect with his former friends like the double world champion, Juha Kankkunen. His good humor remained authentic, despite some language barriers!