The first Japanese Motorcycle World Grand Prix champion passed away on March 16, 2022.

acer, autos, cars, honda, honda racer, kunimitsu “kuni” takahashi, passes away at 82

Kunimitsu Takahashi, otherwise known as Kuni-san by his colleagues and peers, passed away at the age of 82 years old on March 16, 2022. He won his first-ever race in the West Germany Grand Prix while flying the Honda flag. His achievement on the world stage gave Honda Motorcycles its first-ever World Grand Prix victory in the 250cc class.

Following his monumental achievement for Honda on two wheels, Takahashi then went into the world of four-wheeled racing just like what Valentino Rossi is doing in the GT World Challenge, with one of his notable outings being in the 1977 Formula 1 Japan Grand Prix as a wildcard finishing at a respectable ninth place.

Then in 1995, Takahashi competed in the 24 hours of Le Mans in the GT2 class while driving Honda’s race car that was based on a first-generation NSX. For the next four years (until 1999), Takahashi continued to race on four wheels. 

After his career, Kunimitsu Takahashi founded Team Kunimitsu and managed the team while competing in the Japanese GT category with Honda NSX-GTs and HSV-010 GTs. His team managed to win in the SUPER GT and GT500 classes in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

Toshihiro Mibe, Honda president, CEO, and representative director stated: “I am deeply sorrowful on the passing of Kunimitsu Takahashi. He played a major roleas a rider on the world championship stage at the dawn of Honda’s motorsportsactivities, and his four-wheel endeavors, he competed with Honda racing cars for over aquarter of a century, bringing many victories to the company. Takahashi’s influence wentway beyond Honda, touching the hearts of everyone involved in motorsports. I am truly
grateful for his countless achievements.”

Honda Racing sent out a press release following his passing, and his list of milestones, accolades, and achievements are as follows:

1940 Born in Koganei, Tokyo.1958 Debuts in All Japan Motorcycle Clubman Race. Wins the All Japan Motorcycle Endurance Race (Mount Asama Volcano Race) 350cc class.1959 Wins Mount Asama Volcano Race for second consecutive year (500cc class)1960 Joins Honda R&D Honda Speed Club (HSC)1961 Becomes first Japanese to win in World Grand Prix racing (Round 1, West Germany Grand Prix 250cc class)Wins Round 9, Ulster Grand Prix (125cc class)Finishes fourth in the Isle of Man TT (250cc class)Ranked overall fourth (250cc) / fifth (125cc) in the 1961 World Grand Prix series1962 Wins World Grand Prix rounds 1 (Spain) and 2 (France) (125cc class)Crashes during Round 3, the Isle of Man TT, and recovers despite losing consciousness.Ranked overall fourth (125cc) in the 1962 World Grand Prix series1963 Competes in 14 rounds of the World Grand Prix season. Ranked overall ninth (250cc) and seventh (125cc)1965 Moves on to four wheel racing1970 Wins all five All Japan Drivers Championship T-II class rounds, taking the championship1971 Wins the Japanese Grand Prix T-b class1977 Finishes ninth in the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix1985 – 87 Wins the All Japan Endurance Championship1989 Wins the All Japan Sports Prototype Car Championship1992 Establishes Team Kunimitsu, acting as manager and driver1995 Wins Le Mans 24 hours race (GT2 class)1996 Competes in the All Japan GT Championship driving Honda NSX1998 Wins first All Japan GT Championship race in Round 6, Mine1999 Wins All Japan GT Championship Round 2, FujiRetires from racing car driving2000 Leads Team Kunimitsu as team manager in the All Japan GT Championship, competing with Honda NSX2002 Inducted in the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame2005 Competes as TEAM KUNIMITSU team manager in SUPER GT racing Honda NSX2013 Awarded the Le Mans 24 hours Hall of Fame award2018 Won the SUPER GT GT500 class (drivers: Naoki Yamamoto / Jenson Button)2020 Won the SUPER GT GT500 class (drivers: Naoki Yamamoto / Tadasuke Makino)
Presented the Sportsperson of Merit Award by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Keyword: Honda Racer, Kunimitsu “Kuni” Takahashi, Passes Away At 82

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Honda announces Marini on two-year MotoGP deal

The Honda MotoGP outfit has finally announced that Luca Marini will join the marque on a two-year deal covering the 2024 and ’25 campaigns. The Italian’s impending switch to the Japanese manufacturer for his fourth season in the premier class has been an open secret for the past couple ...

View more: Honda announces Marini on two-year MotoGP deal

Valencia MotoGP: Luca Marini signs... Will Valentino Rossi finally get his 500cc Honda?

With younger brother Luca Marini now confirmed as joining HRC in place of Marc Marquez next season, perhaps a #46 NSR500 will finally be heading to Tavullia in the near future. Valentino Rossi dominated the 2002 and 2003 seasons as a Repsol Honda rider, before leaving under something of a ...

View more: Valencia MotoGP: Luca Marini signs... Will Valentino Rossi finally get his 500cc Honda?

Official: Luca Marini replaces Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda for MotoGP 2024

Repsol Honda has finally announced the signing of Luca Marini as Marc Marquez’s replacement for the 2024 MotoGP season. Marini, younger brother of former Repsol Honda world champion Valentino Rossi, joins the factory HRC team after spending three seasons in MotoGP at his brother’s VR46 Ducati squad. The Italian, ...

View more: Official: Luca Marini replaces Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda for MotoGP 2024

Owner's thoughts on his Elevate CVT's comfort, fuel efficiency & more

My family is also happy with the back seat comfort after bouncing in the Mahindra TUV300 for the last 6 years. BHPian dieselburner recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Got delivery of my ZX CVT lunar silver a week back. Initially, I got the Blue colour booked but the ...

View more: Owner's thoughts on his Elevate CVT's comfort, fuel efficiency & more

Before The Honda Prelude Returns, Here's A Classic Review Of The Fourth Gen

The Honda Prelude Concept has reignited interest in the historic nameplate. Let's see how the fourth-gen model stacks up against competitors in the early 1990s.

View more: Before The Honda Prelude Returns, Here's A Classic Review Of The Fourth Gen

Valencia MotoGP: Marc Marquez ‘is leaving his love, he gave a lot to Honda’

Giacomo Agostini says Marc Marquez leaving Honda ahead of the 2024 MotoGP season is like ‘leaving his love’. Marquez is in his last race weekend as a Repsol Honda rider, ahead of switching to Gresini Ducati in the hope of becoming a MotoGP title contender in 2024. The eight-time ...

View more: Valencia MotoGP: Marc Marquez ‘is leaving his love, he gave a lot to Honda’

Review: Test riding Honda’s Motocompacto electric scooter, aka the battery-powered suitcase

I recently got the chance to test ride Honda’s new Motocompacto, a battery-powered suitcase with wheels that comes complete with an underwhelming 15 mph top speed and an adorable bell, which I must say has to be my favorite feature by far. Overall, the Motocompacto’s strongest aspect is its ...

View more: Review: Test riding Honda’s Motocompacto electric scooter, aka the battery-powered suitcase

WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona calls new Honda ‘a big surprise, everything changed a lot’

Iker Lecuona is already waxing lyrical about the new Honda WorldSBK machine after just one test in Jerez. Lecuona, who just finished a very busy end to the season after continuing to replace Alex Rins in MotoGP, flew straight from Qatar to Jerez in order to test the 2024 ...

View more: WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona calls new Honda ‘a big surprise, everything changed a lot’

Davide Brivio tipped to replace Alberto Puig as Repsol Honda team boss

2024 Honda CR-V incoming - Honda's next-generation 'benchmark' SUV open for booking

Valencia MotoGP: Luca Marini: Repsol Honda? “News will come soon”

Marc Marquez unveils special Honda tribute helmet for Valencia MotoGP

834-HP Honda Civic Wagon Vs. Stock Audi RS5 Drag Proves Power Isn't Everything

UAW win helps nonunion workers too as VW, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda hike pay

Watch The Coolest Custom Ferrari On the Planet Grenade Its Honda Engine On Track

Valencia MotoGP: Alex Rins returns for LCR Honda farewell

‘Honda finalising Luca Marini contract clauses’ | “A bold move, see how it goes…”

Toprak Razgatlioglu drops unexpected Repsol Honda hint, ‘can talk MotoGP contract after 2025’

Honda Set to Introduce New ‘Sensing 360+’ Driver Assistance System Globally

Honda and Nissan slash rates to keep pace with BYD, EVs in overseas markets

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel