Toru Takahashi (racing driver)
| Toru Takahashi 高橋徹 | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Japanese |
| Born | October 6, 1960 Higashihiroshima, Japan |
| Died | October 23, 1983 (aged 23) Fuji Speedway, Oyama, Japan |
| Japanese Formula 2 | |
| Years active | 1983 |
| Teams | Heroes Racing Corporation |
| Starts | 7 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 5th in 1983 |
| Previous series | |
| 1983 1982 | Grand Champion Series Japanese Formula 3 |
Toru Takahashi (高橋徹, Takahashi Tōru; 6 October 1960 in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan – 23 October 1983) was a Japanese race car driver.
Career
In 1982, he was runner-up in Japanese Formula 3.[1] The following year, he ran a dual campaign, racing in the Grand Champion Series and also stepping up to Japanese Formula 2 (now Super Formula).[2]
Takahashi was killed in the fourth and final round of the Grand Champion Series race at Fuji Speedway, Japan, in 1983, at the age of 23. Exiting the high-speed Last Corner at around 140mph, his BMW lifted and flew off the track, hitting a catch fence and killing a female spectator.[3] In the post race classification, Takahashi was declared a non-starting entrant.[4] A chicane was installed in the final turn, and Hermann Tilke demolished the section in 2003 as part of a total circuit reconstruction.[5]
Takahashi's final position in the 1983 Japanese Formula 2 season was fifth, with 49 points.[6]
Racing record
Japanese Top Formula Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Heroes Racing | SUZ 2 | FUJ Ret | MIN 5 | SUZ 3 | SUZ Ret | FUJ 4 | SUZ 6 | SUZ | 5th | 49 |
References
- ^ "Tooru Takahashi". Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- ^ "Motorsport Memorial -". Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- ^ "A Japanese racing car roaring at more than 140..." upi.com.
- ^ "250 km Fuji". racingsportscars.com.
- ^ "Fuji Speedway". racingcircuits.info.
- ^ "Formula 2 Japan 1983 standings - Driver Database". Retrieved 4 August 2015.
External links