wwwace Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) Hi all, Last night I received the very sad news from the Plafit management that Tomohiko Komura had passed away after a road accident. Everyone attending the APC a couple of month back will for sure remember him as one of the most likable and friendliest persons you can ever meet. He also was one of the best slot car racers and model car builder I have ever known. The guys from Team Ausforce had the pleasure of competing against him at last year's Pan Pacific Meeting (Japanese Plafit Championship) in Yokohama. It was there where he got us all enchanted with his competitivness but more so with his charm and his modesty. Tomohiko was only in his early twenties and to loose him so suddenly shows us once more that we do live in a cruel old world. Our thoughts are with his family and with all who have known him. Werner Edited November 8, 2012 by wwwace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyslots 1950 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 A true champion on & off the track,touched every one at the APC with his humbleness & his brilliant control of a slot car at speed & was very forthcoming with tips on his set ups. Will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all that had the pleasure to meet & race against him. RIP Komura Quote To finsh first,first you gotta finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris1810 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Very sad news. He was most generous with him time and knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulthetexan Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Heart braking news............I only had the oportunity to meet him for the duration of this years APC and in those three short days he was a joy to be around. Although he didn't speak much english we still managed to get a freindly banter going over the weekend that I will remember fondly long into the forseeable future . My first close contact with Tomohiko came after dark on Friday Practice as the crowd was thinning out . I was standing at my race box starting to packup when I felt a soft tap on my shoulder . As I turned around I was suprised to see Komura ( as we called him ) standing their holding his GTJ car in one hand with his controller in the other squeezing the trigger on and off . Although the crowd was almost gone he still wanted to race . After racing each other till I was way too tired and smashing my car up trying to keep up , he offered me a drive of his car then proceeded to lead me back to my race box asking me to open his car up and check it out . Quite remarkable for a young man just wanting to share and play/race slotcars . Over the rest of the weekend we stared each other down , pretended to pull each other controller plugs out , bowed to each other a lot and generally pretended to be fierce competitors . If truth be known he was too fast to actually compete with . On the final day as we greeted each other in the morning he took the time to teach me how to say good morning in Japanese . The playful banter continued thruout the final day until finally it was over . As I was doing the rounds of back slapping and handshaking I finally found myself in front of Komura , and as he put out his hand I shook my head . A hand shake wasn't going to do it , and ended up giving him a hug . We laughed and waved goodby . Heart braking news ........ Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel B Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 This is very very sad news I can say no more then what has already been said above. My condolences to the management of Plafit and to those who knew him and were closer to him then I it is a massive loss. RIP Komura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringie Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Very sad to hear the news,he was a true racer & a nice guy ,we exchanged talks with hand signs & even went out side & had a few smokes looking at the cars in the yard ,he will be missed Ringie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axman Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Nicely said Paul.. I too was suprised at Komura's humour, total comfort at showing how he preped a car and friendly race attitude. In the Mini Z's Komura and I were "battling" for 4th place. Just as I managed to get past I (typically) fell off. With that he gave me a friendly slap on the back and I had a laugh with him. Serious racing the way it should be. Really sorry to hear of this tragedy I can only wish his family and friends well for their loss. Edited November 8, 2012 by axman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camber Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Such a shame to lose a person as nice as Komura so young. Certainly the most talented driver and car builder I have come up against, you only need look at his wins to see just how good he was. Always forthcoming in helping with car setup's, he even offered his Group C Porsche for me to keep at the end of the race meeting to which I said no. However we agreed to swap my car for his. On the Monday morning we took a trip back to Andrew B's track and Komura and Akira were running on the track. He graciously offered up all his cars for me to run, while in the background was busily working on my old Group C to see what he could get out of it. We very nearly missed our flight that morning due to the fun we were having. In the short time I knew Komura, he definately left a lasting impression. Komura's 2012 Porsche Group C, out of respect this car won't be driven again. My heart goes out to his family and friends. - Cam Quote Hoo Roo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first corner crash Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Really nice guy. Great driver hardly ever deslotted. Sad to hear. What can you say? Life makes no sense sometimes. Edited November 8, 2012 by first corner crash Quote 4x national champion 6x national runner up. I come second most often but my girlfriends happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwwace Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Thanks for your kind words guys......... This morning I received the following message from Mr. Akira Banno, CEO of Sigma Hobby : Dear Mr. Wittsack Dear Racing mates in Australia Very regrettably Mr.KOMURA passed away by the traffic accident on October 29. According to the information which I acquired, it is the following for details. He was going straight on by the motorcycle. Someone's cars crossed suddenly at the crossing. He collided with it. He died instantly. We and many racing mates lamented the incident. And many friends gathered for his funeral. We had the J-Slot Grand Prix at November 4. He was also going to participate in the race. We placed his photograph and slot cars and mourned over his death. Good-bye, KOMURA best regards, Akira Banno SIGMA HOBBY Cheers Werner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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