A Very Special Visitor at Scarborough Mitsubishi
A Very Special Visitor at Scarborough Mitsubishi
Posted on August 26, 2026
We were honoured to welcome a very special guest to Scarborough Mitsubishi this morning — Masuoka-san, son of legendary Mitsubishi rally champion Hiroshi Masuoka.
Masuoka-san stopped by the dealership to visit with our team and explore some options for his next vehicle. It was a real privilege to welcome him to our store and to spend a little time with someone whose family has such an incredible connection to Mitsubishi and the world of motorsport.
About Hiroshi Masuoka
His father, Hiroshi Masuoka, is a true icon of international rally racing and a name deeply tied to Mitsubishi's motorsport heritage. Among his many accomplishments, he is best known for his historic success at the Dakar Rally, where he made history behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Pajero.
Dakar Rally Championships & Major Victories
- Back-to-Back Dakar Champion: Won the overall car category in both 2002 and 2003 driving for the factory Mitsubishi team.
- Elite Company: Became only the fourth driver in Dakar Rally history to win the car class in consecutive years.
- International Cross-Country Wins: Also won the 2003 Baja Italy and the 2004 UAE Desert Challenge.
Dakar Statistics & Milestones
- 21 Total Appearances: Competed in nearly every Dakar Rally from 1987 to 2009.
- 25 Individual Stage Wins: Ranks fifth on the all-time list for stage victories in the Dakar car category.
- A Career Built on One Brand: Ran his entire top-tier Dakar career behind the wheel of Mitsubishi Pajero and Montero vehicles.
Pikes Peak & the Electric Era
- EV Pioneer: In the years following his rally career, Masuoka helped lead Mitsubishi's electric motorsport program, piloting the experimental MiEV Evolution prototypes up the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
- Podium Finishes: He and the Mitsubishi team earned podium results in the Electric division at Pikes Peak between 2012 and 2014, helping prove out the technology behind Mitsubishi's electric vehicles.
Career Highlights
- The 2001 Rivalry: A hard-fought battle against Jean-Louis Schlesser in 2001 ended when suspension damage cost him the overall win — a setback that fueled his back-to-back victories the following two years.
- The 2003 Egyptian Finish: Capitalized on a late mechanical issue for rival Stéphane Peterhansel to take the overall lead and win the Marseille-to-Sharm El Sheikh rally.
- Team Director: Later transitioned from racer to Team Director for Mitsubishi Ralliart, leading the squad to overall victories at the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR).
- National Honour: Recognized by the Japanese government with the Person of Sports Merit Award for his lifetime contributions to motorsport.
It was an absolute pleasure to have Masuoka-san with us this morning — and a special reminder of the racing heritage behind the Mitsubishi name.
Thank you for visiting Scarborough Mitsubishi, Masuoka-san!