Some very sad news out of Japan today. Veteran D1 driver Atsushi Kuroi has passed away after injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Kuroi was popular not just in Japan, but in all the countries where he drove. Anyone who's seen him drive knows the kind of talent this man had behind the wheel of his Nissan One-Via. Besides being known as a great driver, he also made a name for himself with his River Side tuning shop in the Osaka area.
I feel very fortunate having the opportunity to see him in both the US and Japan.
Our thoughts are with his family and his friends.
-Mike Garrett
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very sad. rip. thoughts go to his friends and family.
RIP
So sad. I just saw him a couple weeks ago tearing it up at TAS. He will be missed for sure. RIP Kuroi.
Why he was a top D1 driver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUiuBqkzm7Q
Saw him in 2006 and 2007 at Suzuka and Ebisu - he was the master of the qualifying run - RIP
R.I.P.
Is there any other sources for this? Seems like everything is by word of mouth.
RIP
Aww Jeeze,
can this day get worse?
RIP man.
RIP I was just watching him rip those 90degree turns too.
REALLY shocking news
R.I.P
so damn shocking... one of my d1 heroes
RIP
woow
RIP.
sucks so much.
RIP
He was an amazing driver from the D1 DVD's I have
R.I.P. =(
Damn so sad.. RIP
rip
Its sad to hear Atsushi San was an amazing driver one of the best iv ever seen in D1 so talented. RIP
you should do a long post about him.. in remembrance.
RIP;(
RIP;(
Thats a great loss. I was just speakimg to him at Autosalon..... He will be sadly missed.
RIP.:(
=( this is very sad news....he was a great driver and a great fun person! RIP Kuroi san
Back to the days of the yellow RB26 coupe, all the way to the 1.5JZ Team Toyo car, Kuroi's always been one of the leading examples of such a powerful drift. In fact, I'm gonna go as far as to say he was arguably the pioneer for drifting with over 600hp, and he led a monster example, especially with the video of him blasting around Ebisu and Meihan Sportsland.
I'm gonna head into GT4 right now and shove as much power as I can into my S13 for Kuroi. RIP to the Tansou Master.
May he rest in peace. :(.
RIP, my favorite D1 driver.
rip. sad, sad day
waht a lost RIP Kuroi.
I hope a drifting video game with his name is released
This is really a SHOCKING news! Never thought one incredible huge talent and legend in D1 passed away...damn I'm gonna miss him and thank God I was also fortunate enough to see him in action in Malaysia two years ago. Now I am wondering what Team Toyo (my favorite team) will do without him...he's such a powerhouse and inspired many of us to put an RB or JZ in S13.
Rest in peace and may him drift in eternal peace.
RIP, one of the greats!
R.I.P.
Rip :.{
R.I.P
my thoughts go out to your family & friends
Those of you who saw him drift are very lucky. Wish I had. I never did, but whenever I watched JDM Option or looked at the standings online his name would always pop up in my head as a driver and car to look out for. Rest in peace my friend, my deepest condolances to his family and friends.
On a side note I feel that a commerative Kuroi Yokomo RC drift car is going to be released this year. When it does it'll be as popular as his crazy engine swaps and drifting style always will be. D1 won't be the same without you.
I can't find any info from v-opt or d1gp japan, kinda weird. Even Bai sans blog doesn't say anything. I searched other stuff as well, hmmm
R.I.P. a great loss.
RIP, Kuroi. You'll be missed;____;
RIP to one of the best drifters around. He will be sorely missed.
Condolences to their family
My post dedicated to "Kool Roy" :_(
http://slideasylum.blogspot.com/2010/02/rip-atsushi-kuroi-kool-roy.html
Condolences to the family and friends
RIP Kuroi
oh my god no! kuroi will always hold a special place in my heart as he was the first ever D1 driver I ever saw drift. I can't find the video anymore but after I watched it, I was hooked on drifting and kuroi's jet sounding onevia. So so sad for such a legend to be prematurley laid to rest. RIP ATSUSHI KUROI... THE WORLD WILL MISS YOU
NO WAY!
Kuroi was one of my favorite D1 drfiters
R.I.P. , Kuroi-san...
R.I.P. Atsushi Kuroi. Kuroi drifitng his One-via will be missed. Hopefully his One-via will continue to compete in D1.
RIP Atsushi Kuroi
and i give him a salute
This is a massive loss to world drift.
RIP Kuroi.
You will never be forgotten and will remain an inspiration to thousands of drifters around the world.
RIP from Kuching,Malaysia
Rest in peace
Rest In Peace and Drift In Peace, Kuroi.
Rest In Peace man =[
NO WAY! ONE OF THE LEGENDS OF D1 GONE?!
RIP MAN!
YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
REST IN PEACE
GOD BLESS U
drift in peace...
what a horrible loss
R.I.P. Atsushi Kuroi
Your skills, your car style, your driving.. All legendary.
RIP Kuroi, my favourite D1 driver I think, not the most successful maybe but his cars and driving style were awesome, by far the most 'gangster' driving in D1.
Damn, i really like this guy
He have always put some serious angles and such hot entries.
RIP
R.I.P thats sad news
R.I.P thats sad news
Rest in Peace Kuroi.
RIP
Guys, please write your condolences here too. My friend from Team Toyo Malaysia will foward them to Toyo Japan.
http://teamtoyo.com.my/?p=418
Going to miss all those crazy smokes & angle.
R.I.P. to one of the most inspiring drifters on earth
F**k,I can´t belive it, a bad day for me, my favorite drifter.
RIP Atoshi.
R.I.P
not cool.. to bad.. a big loss for D1
R.I.P
It's very bad news
Ohh men he was one of my drift heros.
Ohhh this is so sad.
R.I.P. Kuroi-san. You'll be missed.
A great loss to D1
R.I.P thoughts for his friends and family.
i do rememper the perfect qualify drift !
great drifter !
man, i never really knew much about him, this sucks. R.I.P. ATSUSHI KUROI
No Way!!! he's my favorite driver ever! specialy in the loads-off-smoke-rb26-s-body!!
RIP...
Wow. I remember using his car in the D1 ps2 game!!!
R.I.P. Kuroi much respect
Tinker for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIP we will all miss you.
R.I.P =[
This is so shocking! I was just watching 05-06 Option VIdeos! WOW... Our toughts and prayers go to the family and friends!
(Tn T)
Oh no :'(
Totally bad news; just, why?
Fucking life :@
*RIP*
R. I. P. Kuroi was a beast. he made tons of smoke and ridiculous entry angle. truly a D1 star that will be missed.
RIP Kuroi
I was in awe of his high speed 700hp tire shredding and he will not be forgotten
Tragic
RIP
RIP Kuroi from Singapore
sad news. very sad.
was happy to have met him in Toronto in 2003. RIP man.
rip
R.I.P kuroi. Even though i'm not really a die hard fan of drifting but its a very sad thing. Hopefully he will be drifting in heaven as we speak..
. . . . . . . (-__-) ATSUSHI KUROI, rip , this really took my by surprise, he was one of my favorites d1 drivers, loved his style and great angles. this would be a sad day in japan.
now is on for kawabata to carry on the style of team toyo japan
RIP
never got tired of watching those insane beyond 90degree entry's, truely a legend
R.I.P Atushi Kuroi =(
R.I.P. Kuroi
R.I.P. and condoleances to the family....
speedhunters should do a story on his drift team Tinker.
http://www.d1-10rc.com/forums/open-topics/4696-rip-atsushi-kuroi.html
from our fellow of D1-10 Professional Series Malaysia
My Honour seen you at FujiSpeedwai in Japan.....
Goodbye Atsushi-SAN
R.I.P.
Stematrix1 and all people from JDM CLUB ITALIA!!!
damn.... that sucks... Met him briefly at TAS 09.. awesome guy
RIP
omg...i cant believe what i have heard..how this happen?? he is my hero..R.I.P kuroi..
what a shame...does high speed drifting as a career, dies on a moped...this is why I will NEVER ride a motorcycle. you have no control! Your fault, their fault...doesnt matter, the odds are against you in an accident. RIP