Difference between revisions of "Naoki Nagasaka"

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Naoki Nagasaka (born 24th April 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver. He is perhaps most famous for being the 1988 World Touring Car Masters Class B champion, driving for Nissan.

For much of his early international career, particularly in Formula One, Nagasaka was erroneously referred to as 'Naoki Nagasaki' - so much so that he is still often referred to by this name by many western publications to this day.

Formula One

Nagasaka's international bow would come at the early Japanese Grands Prix in 1976 and 1977, where he would unsuccessfully attempt to qualify with the Mitsuoka team on both occasions.

WTCM

1988

Nagasaka was selected as the team leader for Nissan at the launch of the WTCM in 1988, racing the controversial R32 Skyline at the opening round. Nagasaka would win the first ever race - a pre-qualifier at Bathurst - in the series amongst sheer domination from the Nissan team in the opening round. Ford would lodge a complaint to the FIA about the R32's legality, which was upheld - meaning the Nissan team would have to switch to the R31s for the remainder of the season and drop down into the B Class.

This did not dismay Nagasaka, as he'd successfully clinch the Class B title, his only competition coming from Argentinian independent Francisco Hernandez - also using an R31.

1989

Nissan and Nagasaka would return to the top class in 1989, this time with their R32s - however the Ford team had also stepped forward in terms of pace meaning the Nissan team was on the back foot again. Nagasaka would be the best of the Nissan team but would finish the season a distant fifth in class A - narrowly beating teammates Roland Asch and Andrea Geisler.