Some sad news today. Hideki Tanabe, proprietor of the world-renowned tuning and parts company Powerhouse Amuse, passed away on September 20 after enduring a long illness, leaving behind his wife, the company he founded and thousands of bereaved fans, friends and acquaintances.

Responsible for the incredible R34-based Carbon-R time-attack car and the S2000 GT1 that many of you will remember from Gran Turismo 4, Tanabe-san was also Powerhouse Amuse’s resident tuner, parts designer and race driver. He almost literally sweated raw passion for performance cars, and was a true dynamo in an industry often dominated by large, faceless parts manufacturers.

There are a couple of touching epitaphs over at J-Style and The Real JDM, and I encourage all of you to head over and have a read of these tributes to Mr Tanabe. He will be sorely missed, and JPCN’s thoughts are with his wife and family in what must surely be a devastating time. Rest In Peace.

[Source: J-Style, The Real JDM]
[Image: J-style/Dino Dalle Carbonare]