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 homage 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.
No. 8: Haruchika Aoki
Si Takuma Aoki was not selected among the 10 greatest, his brother Haruchika is indeed in the game. The youngest of the three had a short career, of only nine seasons, but particularly brilliant. He is, like many of his compatriots, a pure product Honda and it was the winged brand that propelled him into Grands Prix in 1993. In the smallest of the categories, he managed to make his mark and scored a podium in his second year.
He won the 125cc title the next two titles in style. Keeping your crown in the small categories is extremely complicated and a feat in itself: young people explode overnight and the number of drivers competing for victory is significant. After a timid stint in 250cc, he joined the premier category in 1999. Despite an honest start, he showed himself strong within the peloton and even failed to win the 2001 Italian Grand Prix.
All these elements land Haruchika Aoki in eighth place in this ranking. Difficult to go higher without other successes in 250cc or 500cc.
No. 7: Nobuatsu Aoki
One brother can hide another ! The most famous of the siblings is placed in seventh position, which makes this episode completely dedicated to the Aoki family. Certainly, he only had one Grand Prix victory during his career, during the 1993 Malaysian Grand Prix, contested on the Shah Alam track. But unlike Haruchika, the majority of his career was focused on the 500cc and the elder was a regular candidate for the podium among the big ones.
After many unsuccessful years in small categories since 1990, he decided to join Rheos-ELF Honda to fight the best riders in the world. The 1997 financial year was its best by far. Author of four podiums, he took third place in the championship behind Mick Doohan and another Japanese on whom we will focus a little later.
Apart from his two retirements in France and Australia, he never finishes outside the top 5. A foolproof regularity that bears fruit when the time comes for the bill. Unfortunately, this incredible rookie season did not lead to anything concrete. The move to Suzuki for the following year shattered any hopes of a title. No podium and a ninth place overall: not much to sink your teeth into.
Moreover, Nobuatsu never stood on the podium again. A terrible disillusionment for this enthusiast, who still had one appearance per year until the 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix, coming to visit his old friends from Suzuki. Difficult to glean a place higher than seventh for this prodigy who never confirmed.
This unique family marked the history of motorcycle racing: pilots with big hearts and the accomplishment of a crazy feat at Suzuka in 1995. In 125cc, Haruchika wins the race and flies to his first world champion title. A few moments later, it is the oldest of the three,
Nobuatsu which mounts on the box in 250cc. Eventually, takuma also climbs onto the podium in 500cc. The latter was perhaps the most talented of the three, but a serious accident paralyzed him in 1998. The “family triplet” is a unique event in history and is not about to be repeated.
Takuma Aoki, paralyzed by an accident on the Paris-Dakar. His talent was exceptional. He did not abandon motor sports, and continued on adapted machines. Photo: R1 Asia.
A particular aspect which will leave room, from tomorrow, at the revelation of places 6 and 5.
Cover photo: Rikita
