Kunimitsu Takahashi

Kunimitsu Takahashi (29 January 1940 - Present): Japanese racing driver and motorcyclist from Tokyo, widely regarded as 'the father of drifting' and one of Japan's greatest motorsport legends, who participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway, retiring after 23 laps with overheating. Takahashi's motorsport career is extraordinary for its breadth and success across both two wheels and four wheels, making him a unique figure in racing history. Born in wartime Tokyo, Takahashi began his racing career on motorcycles in the late 1950s. He quickly established himself as Japan's premier motorcycle racer, winning his first All-Japan Championship in 1961 riding a Honda.

His motorcycle racing achievements are staggering—he won the All-Japan motorcycle championship five times between 1961 and 1965, becoming a national hero. In 1961, he became the first Japanese rider to win an FIM Grand Prix, taking victory at the West German motorcycle Grand Prix at Hockenheim in the 125cc class, a landmark moment for Japanese motorsport. He also competed in the Isle of Man TT, the most dangerous race in the world, demonstrating his bravery and skill. Honda recognized his talent and made him a factory rider, but a serious crash at the 1962 Isle of Man TT severely injured him.

The accident left Takahashi with lasting injuries that convinced him to retire from motorcycle Grand Prix racing, though he would later return to competition on four wheels. Transitioning to car racing in the mid-1960s, Takahashi again proved his exceptional ability. He competed in touring car racing, sports car racing, and eventually single-seaters. His most significant achievement in car racing came when he won the 1977 Japanese Formula 2000 Championship, establishing himself as a top competitor in Japanese open-wheel racing.

This success earned him a Formula One opportunity with Kojima Engineering, a small Japanese constructor making their debut at the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix. Driving the Kojima KE007-Cosworth, Takahashi qualified 11th on the grid—a respectable performance given the team's lack of experience—but retired from the race with overheating after 23 laps. It would be his only Formula One start, but as the first Japanese driver to compete in a World Championship Grand Prix for a Japanese constructor, his place in history was secured. Beyond his competitive achievements, Takahashi is celebrated as 'the father of drifting' for popularizing the technique in the 1970s.

He discovered that sliding a car through corners could be faster on certain Japanese mountain roads, and his spectacular sideways driving style influenced an entire generation of Japanese drivers. The drift racing culture that emerged in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s, later spreading worldwide, owes its origins to Takahashi's techniques and showmanship. Takahashi continued racing well into the 1990s, competing in Japanese touring car championships and demonstrating remarkable longevity. He won touring car races across four decades, from the 1960s through the 1990s, an achievement few drivers can match.

His final competitive racing came in the late 1990s when he was nearly 60 years old. Throughout his career, Takahashi earned respect not just for his speed but for his technical understanding and smooth, controlled driving style—seemingly at odds with his reputation as the father of drifting, but demonstrating his versatility. He could be smooth or spectacular as circumstances required. Following retirement, Takahashi remained active in Japanese motorsport as an ambassador, commentator, and advisor.

His influence on Japanese racing culture is immeasurable—he inspired generations of drivers and helped establish Japan as a motorsport powerhouse. Known for his humility, technical expertise, pioneering spirit, and incredible versatility across motorcycles and cars, circuit racing and street racing, Takahashi represents the very best of Japanese motorsport. His legacy extends far beyond his single Formula One appearance, encompassing Grand Prix motorcycle victories, touring car championships, and creating an entire motorsport discipline that now has millions of followers worldwide.