Atsushi Hara leaves HPI/HB Racing

Two-time World Champion Atsushi Hara has announced that he has left long time main sponsor HPI/HB Racing following 13 years with the team. Widely regarded by many as the best all round driver in the history of the sport, the 2 world titles in both touring car (2000) and 1/8th offroad (2008) are just the highlights of a very successful career which has included countless podiums in all the major classes both onroad & offroad at World, International and National level. The decision to part company with HPI was mutual and for now the Japanese ace has yet to make any decision on a replacement chassis sponsor. We chatted with Atsushi some weeks back, when he flew to Slovakia for the ETS Finale, and he hinted back then that something was about to change.

Dear All,

I would like to personally inform you of some major news regarding my racing career and that is that as of today following 13 successful seasons with HPI Racing and Hot Bodies Racing Team we have mutually agreed to part company. Although I signed a new 4-year contract in January of 2013, a positive judgement was reached regarding the dissolution of this extension that would have taken our partnership through to the 2016 season.

While I am sure this news will come as a big surprise to you all, I want to take this opportunity to thank HPI Racing and Hot Bodies Racing Team for the opportunity to represent them & their products and share a lot of glories. I am also very happy that we were able to part on such good terms. My gratitude to the wonderful people who assisted me in my HPI/HB racing endeavors together with the great support I always got from fans will never be forgotten.

While I am sure everyone wants to know what the future holds for me I can inform you that nothing yet has been decided but I can add that my plan is to take my time in making any decision to ensure that I find the best partnership possible.

Thank you very much for you attention.

Best Regards,

Professional RC Pro Driver Atsushi Hara

関係各者及びファンの皆様へ

拝啓

本日、皆様へ大事な事を伝えなければなりません。
２００１年度からプロ契約を結び、現在２０１３年度に至るまで私を支えていただいたHPI Racing及びHot Bodies Racing teamですが、今日よりその契約を終了することとなりました。

２０１３年度の１月に４年間の契約を新たに更新した直後の出来事で、日頃応援して頂いている協力関係者やファンの皆様方には驚きを与えることになってしまうと思いますが、私とHPI Racing　及びHot Bodies Racing Teamとの契約解除はお互いにとって前向きな判断の元に合意に至りました。

今まで僕を支え、これまでに素晴らしい数々の栄光と名誉そして応援して頂いたHPI Racing 及びHot Bodies Racing Team、協力関係者、ファンの方々には感謝の気持ちは今後忘れることはないでしょう。この場を借りて御礼申し上げます。
今現時点で私の進む道はまだ決定しておらず、今後ゆっくりと模索していく次第です。

これから先、私とHPI Racing及びHot Bodies Racing Teamはそれぞれ別の道を歩んで行くことになりますが、これまでと変わらぬ皆様の暖かい応援をよろしくお願い申し上げます。
敬具

プロフェッショナルRCドライバー　原　篤志