Akihiko Nakaya

Akihiko Nakaya (中谷明彦, Nakaya Akihiko, born November 3, 1957) is a successful racing driver in the Japanese Touring Car Championship and F3000,[1][2] as well as regular presenter on the Japanese motoring show Best Motoring. Nakaya offered a distinctively analytical approach to reviewing cars on the show, providing detailed analyses of various vehicle components and explaining certain driving styles that were best suited to their characteristics. He was a regular driver of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions during Best Motoring races involving the I, II, III, IV, V, VI (including the Tommi Makinen Edition), VII, and VIII of the car, often recording lap times significantly quicker than other drivers of the same vehicle.

Nakaya's name was applied to a special preface-build of the Mitsubishi FTO, the Nakaya-Tune FTO, which appeared in 1997.

Nakaya was considered for a Formula One ride with Brabham in 1992, but the FIA would not grant him a superlicense on the grounds that Japanese F3000 (today the Super Formula Championship) was, at the time, not considered a stepping stone to F1. The ride eventually went to Giovanna Amati, who was more known for her wealth than talent and was replaced three races into the season by future World Champion Damon Hill.

Career results

Complete World Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 DC Points
1987 Ralliart Australia Mitsubishi Starion Turbo MNZ JAR DIJ NUR SPA BNO SIL BAT
ovr:5
cls:4
CLD
ovr:9
cls:5
WEL NC 0
STP Mitsubishi Ralliart FJI
ovr:10
cls:5

Not eligible for series points

Complete Bathurst 1000 results

Year Car# Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1986 53 Mitsubishi Ralliart Brad Jones Mitsubishi Starion Turbo B 61 DNF DNF
1987 16 Ralliart Australia Gary Scott
John French
Mitsubishi Starion Turbo 1 154 5th 4th

References

  1. "Akihiko Nakaya". Driver Database. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  2. "Akihiko Nakaya". Speedsport Magazine. Retrieved 27 May 2014.



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