HIRO

Hiroyuki "Hiro" Matsushita, born on March 14, 1961, in Nishinomiya, Japan, is a former racing driver who carved a unique path in motorsports. Grandson of Kōnosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, Hiro initially faced disapproval from his family regarding his racing ambitions but persevered, eventually securing backing from Panasonic throughout his career.

Matsushita began his racing journey on two wheels, competing in motocross in Japan from 1977 to 1980, even becoming a champion in the Kansai region. He transitioned to four-wheeled racing in 1987, entering Formula Ford in the United States. His early successes included a second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Daytona and a third at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1988. A significant milestone came in 1989 when he won the Toyota Atlantic Championship (Pacific Division) with a record-breaking points margin, making him the first and only Japanese driver to achieve this feat. That year, he also became the first Japanese driver to win the prestigious Lady Wigram Trophy Race in New Zealand, demonstrating his versatility and skill.

Hiro entered Champ Car in 1990, marking the beginning of a lengthy career in American open-wheel racing. In 1991, he made history as the first Japanese driver to race in the Indianapolis 500. Though he never secured a top-five finish in his 117 Champ Car starts, Matsushita's perseverance and status as a trailblazer earned him respect. He was also given the nickname "King Hiro". Beyond racing, Matsushita owns Swift Engineering, a race car manufacturer, and has been involved in various business ventures, solidifying his legacy in both the racing and business worlds.