Sam Mitani
Encyclopedia
O. Sam Mitani is a Japanese-American writer and author, best known for his work as International Editor for Road & Track
magazine. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mitani moved to the United States at the age of two.
His responsibilities include covering and test driving cars from around the world. His expertise and knowledge on Japanese automobiles makes him one of the foremost authority about these popular imports from Asia. He was the first Asian-American senior staff member of an English language major automobile publication.
Mitani has also been published in magazines in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan. He currently writes a monthly column for XaCAR, and regularly contributes to Best Car, two of Japan’s most popular auto magazines.
His travels around the world inspired him to author a book, Fielding's Malaysia & Singapore: The Adventurer's Guide to the Wonders of Malaysia and Singapore. He also co-authored a book about traveling in Asia titled Fielding’s Far East.
Mitani also appears as a guest host for the Best Motoring DVD series. He also has an Emmy Award
to his credit for his hosting of the Los Angeles Motor Show for KABC
’s Eye on LA television series.
As part of his job, he participated in a number of adventurous races. He ran in the Dakar Rally
in 1996 (then known as the Granda-to-Dakar Rally), as well as two stints in the Malaysian jungle in the Trans Peninsula Rally. He also drove in the Baja 2000, an off-road race through the famous desert peninsula. Also of note, he was part of the first American motorcycle tour of Vietnam since the war. The exploits of this trek was chronicled in Cycle World
magazine.
In 2010, he set a speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a Suzuki Kizashi, going 203.73 mph. This run also qualified him to join the exclusive 200-MPH Club.
A practitioner of judo, Mitani holds a 4th-degree black belt; he also placed as high as third place at the World Masters Championship International Competition in São Paulo, Brazil.
Road & Track
Road & Track is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, and is published monthly. The editorial offices are located in Newport Beach, California.-History:...
magazine. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mitani moved to the United States at the age of two.
His responsibilities include covering and test driving cars from around the world. His expertise and knowledge on Japanese automobiles makes him one of the foremost authority about these popular imports from Asia. He was the first Asian-American senior staff member of an English language major automobile publication.
Mitani has also been published in magazines in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan. He currently writes a monthly column for XaCAR, and regularly contributes to Best Car, two of Japan’s most popular auto magazines.
His travels around the world inspired him to author a book, Fielding's Malaysia & Singapore: The Adventurer's Guide to the Wonders of Malaysia and Singapore. He also co-authored a book about traveling in Asia titled Fielding’s Far East.
Mitani also appears as a guest host for the Best Motoring DVD series. He also has an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
to his credit for his hosting of the Los Angeles Motor Show for KABC
KABC-TV
KABC-TV, channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, licensed to Los Angeles, California. KABC-TV's studios are located in Glendale, California...
’s Eye on LA television series.
As part of his job, he participated in a number of adventurous races. He ran in the Dakar Rally
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
in 1996 (then known as the Granda-to-Dakar Rally), as well as two stints in the Malaysian jungle in the Trans Peninsula Rally. He also drove in the Baja 2000, an off-road race through the famous desert peninsula. Also of note, he was part of the first American motorcycle tour of Vietnam since the war. The exploits of this trek was chronicled in Cycle World
Cycle World
Cycle World is a motorcycling magazine in the United States. It was founded in 1962 by Joe Parkhurst, who was inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as "the person responsible for bringing a new era of objective journalism" to the U.S. and is now the largest motorcycling magazine in the world...
magazine.
In 2010, he set a speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a Suzuki Kizashi, going 203.73 mph. This run also qualified him to join the exclusive 200-MPH Club.
A practitioner of judo, Mitani holds a 4th-degree black belt; he also placed as high as third place at the World Masters Championship International Competition in São Paulo, Brazil.
External links
- Sam Mitani's Blog on GTChannel.com
- Sam Mitani's Column on Road&Track.com