Trebur, Germany - Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports has appointed Yasuo Tanaka as its new Technical Director. Forty-two year old Japanese-born Tanaka will assume his role in Rugby, England, with immediate effect, strengthening the relationship with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) Research and Development in Okazaki, Japan.


"The appointment of Mr. Tanaka as Technical Director at MMSP Ltd. is a further step towards stronger integration and co-operation with Mitsubishi’s R&D division in Okazaki,” commented Isao Torii, Head of Mitsubishi Motor Sports. “His role will include the further development of the current Lancer WRC05, as well as the future design of our new world rally car."

Tanaka has a long history with MMC, initially joining the company’s body design department. He subsequently moved to the research division at the Motor Sports Team where he was responsible for the development of the Galant VR-4 and Group A Lancer Evolution, both world rally winning cars. The Japanese has also specialized in the development of suspension and gearboxes before taking on the role of Deputy Head of Development in MMSP Ltd.

Tanaka’s appointment ensures greater feedback of competition technology to MMC and will improve efficiency through greater utilization of the Research and Development team in Japan; the main aim to ensure that valuable technology and passion nurtured through the motorsport program is fed back to the production models. Initially, Tanaka will focus on the Tarmac specification of the Lancer WRC05, improving overall reliability, and development of the Lancer WRC06 for an all-out assault on next year’s championship. Beyond this, he will be responsible for blending expertise within Okazaki and the WRC development unit in Rugby. Tanaka joins a growing number of Japanese based at the team’s headquarters in the UK, who include Isao Torii, Head of Mitsubishi Motor Sports, Deputy Head of the Engine Department, Mr. Kido, and on-event rally Engine Engineer Mr. Fujii.

The new organization at Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports is as follows:

Managing Director & Team Principal, Isao Torii
Technical Director, Yasuo Tanaka
Team Manager, Marco Pastorino
Operations Director, John Easton
Sporting Advisor, Andrew Cowan
Principal Rally Engineer, Roger Estrada