Akihiko Nakaya

Akihiko Nakaya (中谷明彦, Nakaya Akihiko, born November 3, 1957) is a successful racing driver in the Japanese Touring Car Championship and F3000, as well as regular presenter on the Japanese motoring show Best Motoring. Nakaya offered a distinctively analytical approach to reviewing cars on the show, providing detailed analyses of various vehicle components and explaining certain driving styles that were best suited to their characteristics. He was a regular driver of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions during Best Motoring races involving the I, II, III, IV, V, VI, Makinen editions, VII, and VIII of the car, often recording lap times significantly quicker than other drivers of the same vehicle.

Nakaya's name was applied to a special preface-build of the Mitsubishi FTO – the Nakaya-Tune FTO, which appeared in 1997.

Nakaya was considered for a Formula One ride with Brabham in 1992, but the FIA would not grant him a superlicense on the grounds that Japanese F3000 was not considered a stepping stone to F1. The ride eventually went to Giovanna Amati, who was more known for her wealth than talent.

Career results

Complete World Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Team	Car	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	DC	Points
1987	Ralliart Australia	Mitsubishi Starion Turbo	MNZ	JAR	DIJ	NUR	SPA	BNO	SIL	BAT ovr:5 cls:4	CLD ovr:9 cls:5	WEL		NC	0
	STP Mitsubishi Ralliart												FJI ovr:10 cls:5

† Not eligible for series points

Complete Bathurst 1000 results

Year	Car#	Team	Co-Drivers	Car	Class	Laps	Pos.	Class Pos.
1986	53	Mitsubishi Ralliart	Brad Jones	Mitsubishi Starion Turbo	B	61	DNF	DNF
1987	16	Ralliart Australia	Gary Scott John French	Mitsubishi Starion Turbo	1	154	5th	4th