WTH Happened to NOB Taniguchi

[Toshiro]

I haven't heard anything about NOB. I know HKS stopped participating in D1 but is NOB driving for another company yet?

[AaronConklin]

well, I doubt hes retired....

[my 1 88 u]

I haven't heard anything about NOB. I know HKS stopped participating in D1 but is NOB driving for another company yet?

I think he's focusing on road racing, he took first place in round 2 Super GT and round 4 is this friday.

here is his web page http://www.noonebetter.co.jp/

[Archangel]

Nob switched to a new GT Team this year and is currently doing in the points lead for the championship: http://www.supergt.net/supergt/2006/...m#GT300Drivers
(click on GT300 Drivers)

Nob and Orido retired from driving the Advan Porsche in Super Taikyu after winning the championship last year.

As for Drifting Nob and Orido did an event in Arizona last month in conjuction with Grand Am, Nob also drove an RX-8 in the cup race: http://www.hksusa.com/info/?id=3046

In Japan both of them have been involved with the MSC (Motor Sports Com) drift events: http://www.motorsportscom.info/drift/round-04/
http://www.motorsportscom.info/movie/as2006_pv_nob.wmv

[uchi_san_saikos]

I wonder if any of this actually has to do with the rumors of them being kicked out of d1 that arose last year
-randy

[DRIFTER-M]

Actually,to my understanding Taniguchi retired from pro events(e.g. d1) and is just doing grip and drifting for fun. As for Orido, I think he is still competing, he has the new RS*R s15 that he even designed the graphics for. I could be wrong, but I think he is still around.

I know HKS stopped participating in D1 but is NOB driving for another company yet?

It's wierd HKS did that, they HAD a good team. The altezza was not the best thing they ever did though, he was acustomed to the s15. Its hard switching like that, they were 2 hugely different platforms.

[FD3S_pilot]

It's wierd HKS did that, they HAD a good team.

word from japan said HKS and Apexi are in a $$ crisis.

[AaronConklin]

man I feel really stupid....

[240silvia]

nob retired from pro events..uh no hes moved up to GT like many d1 drivers have

[DRIFTER-M]

He retired from pro drift events.

[240silvia]

there you go, my buddy matt!

[Archangel]

nob retired from pro events..uh no hes moved up to GT like many d1 drivers have

Acctually Taniguchi was driving in GT since 2002 (when it was still called JGTC).
2002-2003 he drove the RE Rx-7, 2004-2005 Wedsports Celica and 2006 direxiv Vemac.

Orido drove in GT since 96' before competing in D1 last year and Kageyama at GT driver since 94' did a couple of D1 events last year (or the year before).

There haven't been any D1 drivers that have proved their road racing skills to make it to GT yet (that I've heard of). Guys like Ueo and Inamura have be doing some cup racing like the Altezza cup.