Japan is undoubtedly one of the largest motorcycle countries on the globe. Countless numbers of pilots born on the archipelago have won in all categories, including speed. The time has come to draw up a small ranking in order to rehash good memories and above all pay tribute to a culture and personalities apart.
The first part containing the honorable mentions as well as places 10 and 9 can be found right here.
This episode follows the third part, published yesterday.
N ° 4: Tohru Ukawa
Ukawa, a contemporary of Kato (placed in No. 5), slips to fourth position in this ranking. First of all, why is he so high despite not being a world champion?
The answer is simple. He is part of the caste of Grand Prix winners. He is one of the only Japanese in history to sound the Kimi Ga Yo in MotoGP, after winning the South African round in 2002.
This does not guarantee a place in the top 10, of course (Makoto Tamada with his two victories, does not appear there), but it is his entire career which is in the spotlight here. In 11 years, including eight full seasons, Tohru will have amazed the paddock with his driving and his impressive consistency. Between 1996 and 2000, he never fell lower than fourth in the 250cc drivers' standings. A real feat in these small categories where artists follow and replace each other. This was completed by second place overall in 1999, just behind a certain Valentino Rossi.
The fate of these two thieves would be linked a few years later. Indeed, Ukawa is one of those pure Honda products. He did not know any other brand during his career. By reaching the podium for his second race in 500cc, he appears as one of the future stars of the category. Despite an excellent 2002 season, eight podiums in addition to his victory, he never converted the try. His role as a developer handicapped him somewhat, which is why he subsequently lost competitiveness. His talent was always very present: five victories at the Suzuka 8 Hours attest to this. Difficult to make him climb higher, but a well-deserved fourth place for the friendly Japanese.
No. 3: Takazumi Katayama
Photo: Yamaha Community
All the riders mentioned so far broke out with the popularization of motorcycle sport in Japan in the late 1980s. But before these young guns, some legends were already laying the foundations. This is the case of Katayama, too often forgotten in this type of ranking.. Born in Kobe in 1951, he was quickly spotted by Yamaha, which offered him the opportunity to express himself at the highest level in the 1970s.
From his first laps in the world, he is one of the fastest in the 250cc category. He even won the Swedish Grand Prix after only the third race. And this with the best lap. A real diamond in the rough.
Takazumi was therefore offered a huge contract by Yamaha for 1976. He benefited from 250cc, 350cc and 500cc handlebars. A rare opportunity for the time, reserved for the best. His impressive consistency allowed him to finish vice-world champion in the quarter-litre, while taking another victory on his way, still in Sweden.
1977 is the year of confirmation. Katayama makes history by becoming the first titled Japanese rider, in 350cc. A coronation which, at the time, sounded like a national feat. Despite two victories, he was unable to retain his title and wanted to concentrate on the 500cc. Test rider for Yamaha, he knows the machines perfectly and adapts immediately.
In 1982, he made history with the hot iron by becoming winner of a premier category race… in Sweden. It was only after the 1983 exercise, finished in fifth place overall, that he decided to give up on the sport. He would later become a team manager and owner.
This beautiful love story between Japan and Sweden ends this part perfectly. Tomorrow, it will be a matter of deciding between the two greatest Japanese drivers in history, just that.
Cover photo: Rikita
