Matsukura hosts 1st Naoto Cup

It is nice to see one of the great drivers of RC racing Naoto Matsukura giving back to the sport that has served him well by hosting the 1st Naoto Cup in his native country of Japan over the weekend.  The multiple 1:12 World Champion and both Electric & Nitro Touring Car World Champion, held the race at New Next Rush Circuit in Chiba Prefecture, where he was joined by his mentor and legend of the sport Masami Hirosaka.  Masami was instrumental in bringing a very young Naoto onto the international stage as a Yokomo driver.  The first of hopefully many Naoto Cup events for years to come, after attending Naoto Cup the 14 time World Champion paid tribute to the now factory Infinity driver.

When he had just entered junior high school, when we started participating in Japanese races together, Naoto’s father told me.

“I want Naoto to grow up to be able to say hello properly. That’s all I want. So if Naoto does something wrong, I don’t mind if you punch him, so please take care of.”
Partly because of that, I don’t remember ever teaching Naoto how to drive, and when I did RC car with him, it was either when we were participating in a serious race, or when we were just playing with the RC.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t teach him anything, anyway he’s been World Champion for more than 10 years. Although he missed out on the World Champion this year, he passed the qualifying rounds at the top, and next year’s Worlds will be held in Japan, so he will have another chance.

I am very happy that Naoto’s crown race is now being held. It will continue to attract attention in the future, and I hope that he will stay in the industry for a long time.

December 18, 2022
Masami Hirosaka

Images: Naoto Matsukura [Facebook]