User:Donnie Park/Yuichi Kanai

Yuichi Kanai (金井祐一) (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. He is regarded by NeoBuggy as Kyosho's lead designer. 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. , he has competed in every world champion races since its inauguration in 1986.

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. Throughout his career, he solely dedicated himself to 1:8 scale off-road.

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

At the Kanai, who assisted Kogawa in the design, 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.,

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

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

, he is married with two children and drives a Ferrari F355.

Complete R/C racing summary
Bold on results indicates top qualifier

JMRCA All-Japan Championship results
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.

Designs

 * (1990) Kyosho Turbo Burns MP2
 * (1992) Kyosho Inferno MP3
 * (1994) Kyosho Turbo Inferno MP4
 * (1996) Kyosho Inferno MP5
 * (1998) Kyosho Inferno MP6


 * (2000) Kyosho Inferno MP7.5
 * (2004) Kyosho Inferno MP777
 * (2008) Kyosho Inferno MP9
 * (2010) Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI2
 * (2012) Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI3
 * (2016) Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI4