MOONEYES Express

My Hero Sush Matsubara passed away

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My Hero, Pisano & Matsubara（パイザノ＆マツバラ）Funny Carのドライバー Sush Matsubara（スーシュ・マツバラ）が7月27日、California UCLAの病院で肺繊維症の為、亡くなってしまいました。70歳でした。
彼の活躍は雑誌 Cruisin' Vol.024, June 2003の"Japanese American Hot Rodder"で詳しく紹介しています。
Sushが70年代、Race用ピストンで有名なVenoliaのオーナー Joe Pisano（当時Pisanoをどう発音していいのか分かりませんでした）とコンビで走らせたVega Funny Carはレベルのプラモデルにもなった程で、レベル以外にも当時Ｔシャツで絶対的人気だったHang Tenがスポンサーに付いたり、人気のレーサーだったのです。
特にSouthern California、Orange County Int'l Raceway(OCIR)を中心にNHRA Division 7で活躍した僕のヒーローでした。今年4月頃に来日し連絡を貰ったのですが会う事ができず、それが最後となってしまいました。あまりにも早い旅立ちに戸惑っています。

実は5月にもCruisin'誌のこの特集に登場したFrank Morimotoも他界してしまったのです。SushそしてFrankのご冥福をお祈りします。
"My Hero Sush Matsubara passed away"
My Hero, Pisano & Matsubara Funny Car driver Sush Matsubara has died of Lung disease on July 27th in California UCLA Hospital. He was 70 years old.

His success story was introduced on Magazine published in Japan called "Cruisin'" on Vol.24 June 2003 issue on topics of Japanese Americam Hot Rodder.

The Vega Funny Car which Sush drove in 70's with Joe Pisano an owner of famous Race Piston manufacture "Venolia" was very popular and even a plastic scale models were released by Revelle. Sush was very popular driver who also had "Hang Ten" as sponsor which was very popular T-shirts brand back then.

He was my hero with his success in NHRA Division 7 mainly at Southern California, Orange County Int'l Raceway(OCIR). I couldn't see him although He has contacted me on April when he came to Japan and that was the last. I have lost word as he left so soon.

In fact Frank Morimoto who was also featured on "Cruisin'" has passed away in May. I pray Sushs' and Franks' soul may rest in peace.
Shige
SHIGE SUGANUMA / 菅沼 繁博

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