Yuichi Kanai (金井祐一, kanai yūichi) (born 18 January 1965) is a Japanese radio-controlled car designer and racer, notable for his work for Kyosho with his design and development of the Inferno family of 1:8 radio controlled off-road buggy, that achieved eight IFMAR 1:8 IC Off-Road World Championship titles including six consecutive wins between 1992 and 2002, making it one of the most successful radio-controlled cars of all time.[1] He is regarded by NeoBuggy as Kyosho's lead designer.[2] and has won the IFMAR World Championship title himself in 2000, additionally winning a total of a record eight domestic championship titles, including two sets of three consecutive wins[3][4]. As of 2024, he has competed in every world champion races since its inauguration in 1986.[1][5]

Kanai began his hobby with radio-controlled boat; as his preference was with cars, he began racing at the age of 13 with a Futaba Safari Buggy.[4] Throughout his career, he solely dedicated himself to 1:8 scale off-road.[1]

All the Inferno era cars have been production models except the MP-3 Inferno, which began production shortly after winning the title in 1992.[1]

At the Kanai, who assisted Kogawa in the design,[6] drove one to earn a Top Qualifier spot at the 1988 IFMAR 1:8 IC Off-Road World Championship, at the Semi-final group A race, needing to make up for lost position following a transmitter glitch, he took advantage of its build quality over the triple jump. After making up from 5th place, rather than settling for 3rd assuring of a place in the final, he took the opportunity to send the car airborne as high as possible until the front suspension arm broke.[7],

Following the departure of Akira Kogawa,[6] he took over his position and have specialized in the class since, designed every Kyosho cars within the class[1]

Because of his contribution to the class, he is nicknamed by NeoBuggy as the Godfather of the 1:8 Buggy.[8][9]

As of 2008, he is married with two children and drives a Ferrari F355.[4]

Complete R/C racing summary

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Bold on results indicates top qualifier

IFMAR World Championship results

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Year Result Class Venue Car Motor Source Report
1986 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Integra 4WD Presto O.S. 21SE-B ABC
1988 20 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Burns 4WD O.S. 21EX-B
1989 61 1:10 Off-Road 2WD Kyosho Ultima
1989 39 1:10 Off-Road 4WD Kyosho Lazer ZX
1990 2 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Turbo Burns O.S.
1992 6 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno 4WD O.S. 21RX-B
1994 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Turbo Inferno O.S. Max 21 RG
1996 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP-5
1998 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP-6
2000 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP7.5 RB WS7 Worlds
2002 5 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP7.5 RB
2004 22 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP777 RB [10]
2006 13 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP777 RB
2008 28 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP9 RB [11]
2010 52 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI2 RB
2012 59 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI3 RB
2014 80 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI3 RB
2016 130 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI4 Reds [12]

JMRCA All-Japan Championship results

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A non-first place finisher highlighted in gold indicates that despite being won by an invited foreign driver, the championship is awarded to the best native driver.

Year Result Class Venue Car Motor Source Report
198 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1989 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1990 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1991 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1992 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1993 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1994 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1995 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1996 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1997 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1998 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
1999 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
2000 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP
2001 8 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [13]
2002 1 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [14]
2003 2 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [15]
2004 9 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [16]
2005 12 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [17]
2006 2 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [18]
2007 7 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [19]
2008 9 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [20]
2009 5 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [21]
2011 8 1:8 Off-Road Kyosho MP [22]

Designs

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Vieira 2014.
  2. ^ Mortstedt 2016.
  3. ^ JMRCA.
  4. ^ a b c Jason 2008.
  5. ^ "Yuichi Kanai remembers his first worlds in 1986". NeoBuggy.net. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  6. ^ a b PetitRC.com 2014.
  7. ^ neobuggy & ?.
  8. ^ "Worlds '12 Feature: Who's Here". NeoBuggy.net. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  9. ^ "Behind the Scenes with Kyosho's Yuichi Kanai". NeoBuggy.net. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  10. ^ http://www.morcsg.ch/uploads/ranglisten/Weltmeisterschaften/2004_schweden_furulund/2004_furulund.htm
  11. ^ http://www.neobuggy.net/2008/09/23/4761/
  12. ^ Waldron, Aaron. "WORLDS: Final finishing order". LiveRC.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  13. ^ "2001 1/8GPオフロードカー決勝成績". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  14. ^ "2002 1/8GPオフロードカー決勝成績". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  15. ^ "2003 1/8GPオフロードカー決勝成績". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  16. ^ "2004 1/8GPオフロードカー成績". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  17. ^ "2005 1/8GPオフロードカー決勝結果". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  18. ^ "2006 1/8GPOFF 決勝結果". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  19. ^ "2007GPオフロード決勝結果". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  20. ^ "2008 GP OFF ROAD". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  21. ^ "2009 GPOFF 全日本選手権". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  22. ^ "2011GPOFF全日本選手権". www.jmrca.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.

Works cited

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