Toru Takahashi (racing driver)

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

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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, his flat-bottomed car spun, lifted and flew off the track, slamming top-first into a crowd fence. One unknown female spectator also died in the accident. A chicane was installed in the final turn, and Hermann Tilke demolished the section in 2003 as part of a total circuit reconstruction.[2]

Takahashi's final position in the 1983 Japanese Formula 2 season was fifth, with 49 points.[3]

Racing record

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Japanese Top Formula Championship results

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(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

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  1. ^ "Tooru Takahashi". Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Motorsport Memorial -". Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Formula 2 Japan 1983 standings - Driver Database". Retrieved 4 August 2015.
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