is a Japanese rally driver.
Career Masuoka's most notable achievement was his back-to-back successes in the Dakar Rally in 2002 and 2003, only the fourth driver in the event's history to win in consecutive years."Mitsubishi Motors Takes Third Straight Dakar Rally Title" , Mitsubishi Motors press release, January 20, 2003 He was also victorious in the 2003 Baja Italy and the 2004 UAE Desert Challenge.Official page , Pajero-dakar.com
Throughout his career he has been employed as a works driver by Mitsubishi, typically driving a Pajero. The 2009 Dakar Rally was his 21st and final participation in the rally, after which he retired along with Mitsubishi's withdrawal from the event. During his Dakar career, he won 25 stages, putting him fifth in the all-time list for the car category. He is now Senior Expert of Mitsubishi's Public Relations Department."Triumph on Pikes Peak", dSpace Magazin, January, 2015, p.50
Personal life Masuoka currently resides in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, with his wife Chiaki and son Shoichiro.
Dakar Rally results Year Class Vehicle Result Stages1987Car Mitsubishi29th21988DNF01989Did not enter1990Car Mitsubishi10th0199195th0199220th01993DNF019944th0199510th019966th119974th119984th219996th020006th120012nd520021st520031st420042nd42005DNF02006DNF020075th02008Event cancelled – replaced by the 2008 Central Europe Rally2009Car MitsubishiDNF0
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