Kunimitsu Takahashi - Career Summary

Takahashi

Nationality Japanese
Date of Birth 29 January, 1940
Entrant Meiritsu Racing (1977)
Races Entered 1
DNQ/DNPQ -
Best Result 9th, Japan, 1977

One of the great statesmen of Japanese prototype, touring car and open-wheel racing, and the first Japanese rider to win a World Championship motorbike GP, Takahashi had a solitary F1 drive in an ageing Tyrrell in 1977.

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Last updated: 18-January-2002

Career Summary

1958 • All Japan Motorcycle Clubman Series, 1 win.

1960 • Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, 4th place.

1961 • 250cc World Championship, 1 win on a Honda RC162.
• 125cc World Championship, 1 win on a Honda.
1962 • 125cc World Championship, 2 wins on a Honda.

1964 • Became an official Nissan factory driver in Japan.
1966 • Japanese Grand Prix, 1st place in a Datsun roadster.
• Bathurst 500, 1st place in Class A in a Datsun 1300 with Kitamo.

1967 • Japanese Grand Prix, 3rd place in a Datsun roadster.
• Competed in the Bathurst 500 in a Datsun.

1968 • Competed in the Bathurst 500 in a Datsun.
1970 • All-Japan All-Star event, 1st place in a Datsun.

1971 • Japanese Grand Prix, 1st place in a Datsun.
• Grand Champion series, 1 start in a Nissan Fairlady 240Z.
1973 • Kyalami 9hrs, 4th place in a Datsun 240ZR with Tohira.
• Suzuka 1000kms, 1st place in a Datsun 240ZR with Tohira.
• Grand Champion series, 2 starts in a March 73S BMW.

1974 • Grand Champion series, 3 starts, 1 win in a March 73S BMW.
1975 • Grand Champion series, 2nd overall, 50.5 points, 1 win in a Sakai Racing March 73S BMW.
• Japanese F2000, 2 starts in a Sakai Racing Team Surtees TS15 BMW and a Racing Shop Yatsuka Surtees TS15 Ford.

1976 • Grand Champion series in a Sakai Racing March 73S BMW.
• Japanese F2000, 6th overall, 22 points in a Sakai Racing March 742 BMW.

1977 • Grand Champion series, 7th overall, 26 points in a March 73S BMW.
• Japanese F2000, 2nd overall, 117 points (85 counted), 3 wins in a Speed Star Racing March 742 BMW and Kojima KE008 BMW.

1977 • Meiritsu Racing Tyrrell 007 Cosworth DFV V8, 1 entry.

1978 • Japanese F2, 6th overall, 40 points in Speed Star Racing Kojima KE008 BMW.
• Grand Champion series, 3 starts in a Speed Star Racing Chevron B36 BMW.

1979 • Japanese F2, 4th overall, 64 points in a Speed Star Racing March 782 BMW.
• Grand Champion series, 2 starts, =14th overall, 3 points in a Speed Star Racing MCS Mazda.

1980 • Japanese F2, 15th overall, 4 points in a Royce Racing March 792 BMW and a Suzuki Racing Toleman TG280 Hart.
• Grand Champion series, 2 starts, =5th overall, 30 points in a Royce Racing Royce RM-1 BMW.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 1 start in a Mazda Auto Yamanashi March 75S Mazda.

1981 • Japanese F2, 8th overall, 23 points in a Suzuki Racing Toleman TG280 Hart.
• Grand Champion series, =2nd overall, 42 points, 2 wins in a Royce Racing Royce RM-1 BMW.

1982 • Japanese F2, 15th overall, 9 points in a Shift Toleman TG280 BMW and March 822 BMW.
• Grand Champion series, 4th overall, 25 points in a Royce Racing Royce RM-1 BMW.

1983 • Japanese F2, 6th overall, 46 points in a Nova Engineering March 822 BMW and March 832 BMW.
• Grand Champion series, 9th overall, 13 points in a Royce RM-1 and an MCS 4.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship/World Endurance Championship, 1 start in an Alpha Racing Porsche 956 with Henn and Paul Jr.

1984 • Japanese F2, 13th overall, 11 points in an Advan Sports Nova March 832 BMW and March 842 BMW.
• Grand Champion series, 3rd overall, 30 points in an MCS 5 BMW.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, 1 start, =7th overall, 20 points, 1 win in a Nova Engineering Porsche 956 with Kenji Takahashi and Lees.
• Fuji Long Distance Series, 2 starts, 1 win in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 956 with Kenji Takahashi.

1985 • Japanese F2, 13th overall, 17 points in an Advan Sports Nova March 85J BMW. Grand Champion series, 9th overall, 16 points in an MCS 6 BMW.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 72 points, 3 wins in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts, 2 wins in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi.
• World Sportscar Championship, 1 start in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi.

1986 • Japanese F2, 10th overall, 22 points in a Team JPS Advan (Nova) March 85J Honda and March 86J Honda.
• Grand Champion series, 6th overall, 22 points in an MCS 6 BMW.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 70 points, 2 wins in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts, 1 win in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi.
• World Sportscar Championship, 2 starts in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C and a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with various drivers.

1987 • Japanese F3000, 9th overall, 33 points in an Advan Sports Nova March 87B Honda.
• Grand Champion series, 9th overall, 16 points in an Advan Sports Tomei MCS 7 Ford.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 59 points, 2 wins in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Acheson and Mogi.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts, 2 wins in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Acheson and Mogi.
• World Sportscar Championship, 2 starts, 1 win in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C and a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with various drivers.

1988 • Japanese F3000, 7th overall, 12 points in an Advan Sports Nova Lola T88/50 Mugen.
• Grand Champion series, 5th overall, 49 points in an Advan Sports Nova MCS 8 Mugen.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =4th overall, 48 points in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi.
• World Sportscar Championship, 2 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C and Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with various drivers.

1989 • Japanese F3000, =15th overall, 3 points in an Advan Sports Nova Lola T89/50 Mugen.
• Grand Champion series, 6th overall, 9 points in an Advan Sprots Nova Cerumo 89Ge Mugen.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 56 points, 1 win in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Dickens.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Dickens.
• World Sportscar Championship, 1 start in an Almeras Montpellier Porsche 962C with Dickens.
• Le Mans 24hrs, retired in a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with Giacomelli and Lavaggi.

1990 • Japanese F3000, 9th overall, 7 points in an Advan Sports Nova Lola T90/50 Mugen.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =22nd overall, 9 points in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi.
• World Sportscar Championship, 1 start, =31st overall, 2 points in a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with Mogi.
• Le Mans 24hrs, 24th place in a Kremer Racing Porsche 962CK6 with van der Merwe and Okada.

1991 • Japanese F3000 in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T90/50 Mugen and Lola T91/50 Mugen.
• Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, 3 starts, =27th overall, 8 points in a Team Taisan Klepper Porsche 962C with Dickens.
• Fuji Long Distance series, 3 starts in a Team Taisan Klepper Porsche 962C with Dickens.

1992 • Japanese F3000 in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T91/50 Mugen and Lola T92/50 Mugen.
• Formed Team Kunimitsu.
• All-Japan Touring Car Championship, =9th overall, 74 points in a Team Kunimitsu Nissan Skyline GTR with Tsuchiya.

1993 • Japanese F3000 in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T92/50 Mugen.
• Competed in the All-Japan Touring Car Championship in a Team Kunimitsu Nissan Skyline GTR with Tsuchiya.

1994 • Japanese F3000, 10th overall, 4 points in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T92/50 Mugen and Lola T94/50 Mugen.
• Japanese GT Championship, 3 starts, 7th overall, 35 points, 1 win in a Team Kunimitsu Porsche Carrera RSR with Tsuchiya.
• BPR Global GT Endurance series, 1 start in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Tsuchiya and Iida.
• Le Mans 24hrs, 18th place in a Kremer Honda NSX with Tsuchiya and Iida.
• Suzuka 500kms, 4th place in an Oscar SK90 with Muzutani and Kimura.

1995 • Japanese GT Championship, =10th overall, 28 points in a Team Kunimitsu Porsche Carrera RSR Turbo with Tsuchiya.
• BPR Global GT Endurance series, 1 start in a Team Nova Honda NSX Turbo with Iida and Tsuchiya.
• Le Mans 24hrs, 8th place in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Iida and Tsuchiya.

1996 • Japanese GT Championship, =26th overall, 8 points in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Tsuchiya.
• Le Mans 24hrs, 16th place in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Iida and Tsuchiya.
• All-Japan All-Star event, 6th place in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Tsuchiya.

1997 • Japanese GT Championship, =13th overall, 30 points in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.
• All-Japan All-Star event, 16th and 20th places in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Iida.
• Participated in Honda's 50th anniversary celebrations.

1998 • Japanese GT Championship, =19th overall, 25 points, 1 win in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.
• FIA GT Championship, 1 start in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX-S with Iida and Michigami.
• All-Japan All-Star event, 2nd place in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.

1999 • Japanese GT Championship, =15th overall, 34 points, 1 win in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.
• Suzuka 1000kms, 4th place in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida and T. Tsuchiya.
• All-Japan All-Star event, 2nd place in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.

2000 • Retired from competitive driving.
• Became the President of the GT Association of Japan.

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• Full Biography •	Picture Index
Text-Only Version	Back to Driver Index
Last updated: 18-January-2002



1958	• All Japan Motorcycle Clubman Series, 1 win.
1960	• Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, 4th place.
1961	• 250cc World Championship, 1 win on a Honda RC162. • 125cc World Championship, 1 win on a Honda.
1962	• 125cc World Championship, 2 wins on a Honda.
1964	• Became an official Nissan factory driver in Japan.
1966	• Japanese Grand Prix, 1st place in a Datsun roadster. • Bathurst 500, 1st place in Class A in a Datsun 1300 with Kitamo.
1967	• Japanese Grand Prix, 3rd place in a Datsun roadster. • Competed in the Bathurst 500 in a Datsun.
1968	• Competed in the Bathurst 500 in a Datsun.
1970	• All-Japan All-Star event, 1st place in a Datsun.
1971	• Japanese Grand Prix, 1st place in a Datsun. • Grand Champion series, 1 start in a Nissan Fairlady 240Z.
1973	• Kyalami 9hrs, 4th place in a Datsun 240ZR with Tohira. • Suzuka 1000kms, 1st place in a Datsun 240ZR with Tohira. • Grand Champion series, 2 starts in a March 73S BMW.
1974	• Grand Champion series, 3 starts, 1 win in a March 73S BMW.
1975	• Grand Champion series, 2nd overall, 50.5 points, 1 win in a Sakai Racing March 73S BMW. • Japanese F2000, 2 starts in a Sakai Racing Team Surtees TS15 BMW and a Racing Shop Yatsuka Surtees TS15 Ford.
1976	• Grand Champion series in a Sakai Racing March 73S BMW. • Japanese F2000, 6th overall, 22 points in a Sakai Racing March 742 BMW.
1977	• Grand Champion series, 7th overall, 26 points in a March 73S BMW. • Japanese F2000, 2nd overall, 117 points (85 counted), 3 wins in a Speed Star Racing March 742 BMW and Kojima KE008 BMW.

1977	• Meiritsu Racing Tyrrell 007 Cosworth DFV V8, 1 entry.

1978	• Japanese F2, 6th overall, 40 points in Speed Star Racing Kojima KE008 BMW. • Grand Champion series, 3 starts in a Speed Star Racing Chevron B36 BMW.
1979	• Japanese F2, 4th overall, 64 points in a Speed Star Racing March 782 BMW. • Grand Champion series, 2 starts, =14th overall, 3 points in a Speed Star Racing MCS Mazda.
1980	• Japanese F2, 15th overall, 4 points in a Royce Racing March 792 BMW and a Suzuki Racing Toleman TG280 Hart. • Grand Champion series, 2 starts, =5th overall, 30 points in a Royce Racing Royce RM-1 BMW. • Fuji Long Distance series, 1 start in a Mazda Auto Yamanashi March 75S Mazda.
1981	• Japanese F2, 8th overall, 23 points in a Suzuki Racing Toleman TG280 Hart. • Grand Champion series, =2nd overall, 42 points, 2 wins in a Royce Racing Royce RM-1 BMW.
1982	• Japanese F2, 15th overall, 9 points in a Shift Toleman TG280 BMW and March 822 BMW. • Grand Champion series, 4th overall, 25 points in a Royce Racing Royce RM-1 BMW.
1983	• Japanese F2, 6th overall, 46 points in a Nova Engineering March 822 BMW and March 832 BMW. • Grand Champion series, 9th overall, 13 points in a Royce RM-1 and an MCS 4. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship/World Endurance Championship, 1 start in an Alpha Racing Porsche 956 with Henn and Paul Jr.
1984	• Japanese F2, 13th overall, 11 points in an Advan Sports Nova March 832 BMW and March 842 BMW. • Grand Champion series, 3rd overall, 30 points in an MCS 5 BMW. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, 1 start, =7th overall, 20 points, 1 win in a Nova Engineering Porsche 956 with Kenji Takahashi and Lees. • Fuji Long Distance Series, 2 starts, 1 win in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 956 with Kenji Takahashi.
1985	• Japanese F2, 13th overall, 17 points in an Advan Sports Nova March 85J BMW. Grand Champion series, 9th overall, 16 points in an MCS 6 BMW. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 72 points, 3 wins in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi. • Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts, 2 wins in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi. • World Sportscar Championship, 1 start in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi.
1986	• Japanese F2, 10th overall, 22 points in a Team JPS Advan (Nova) March 85J Honda and March 86J Honda. • Grand Champion series, 6th overall, 22 points in an MCS 6 BMW. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 70 points, 2 wins in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi. • Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts, 1 win in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C with Kenji Takahashi. • World Sportscar Championship, 2 starts in an Advan Sports Nova Porsche 962C and a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with various drivers.
1987	• Japanese F3000, 9th overall, 33 points in an Advan Sports Nova March 87B Honda. • Grand Champion series, 9th overall, 16 points in an Advan Sports Tomei MCS 7 Ford. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 59 points, 2 wins in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Acheson and Mogi. • Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts, 2 wins in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Acheson and Mogi. • World Sportscar Championship, 2 starts, 1 win in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C and a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with various drivers.
1988	• Japanese F3000, 7th overall, 12 points in an Advan Sports Nova Lola T88/50 Mugen. • Grand Champion series, 5th overall, 49 points in an Advan Sports Nova MCS 8 Mugen. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =4th overall, 48 points in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi. • Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi. • World Sportscar Championship, 2 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C and Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with various drivers.
1989	• Japanese F3000, =15th overall, 3 points in an Advan Sports Nova Lola T89/50 Mugen. • Grand Champion series, 6th overall, 9 points in an Advan Sprots Nova Cerumo 89Ge Mugen. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =1st overall, 56 points, 1 win in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Dickens. • Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Dickens. • World Sportscar Championship, 1 start in an Almeras Montpellier Porsche 962C with Dickens. • Le Mans 24hrs, retired in a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with Giacomelli and Lavaggi.
1990	• Japanese F3000, 9th overall, 7 points in an Advan Sports Nova Lola T90/50 Mugen. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, =22nd overall, 9 points in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi. • Fuji Long Distance series, 4 starts in an Advan Alpha Nova Porsche 962C with Mogi. • World Sportscar Championship, 1 start, =31st overall, 2 points in a Kremer Racing Porsche 962C with Mogi. • Le Mans 24hrs, 24th place in a Kremer Racing Porsche 962CK6 with van der Merwe and Okada.
1991	• Japanese F3000 in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T90/50 Mugen and Lola T91/50 Mugen. • Japanese Sports Prototype Championship, 3 starts, =27th overall, 8 points in a Team Taisan Klepper Porsche 962C with Dickens. • Fuji Long Distance series, 3 starts in a Team Taisan Klepper Porsche 962C with Dickens.
1992	• Japanese F3000 in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T91/50 Mugen and Lola T92/50 Mugen. • Formed Team Kunimitsu. • All-Japan Touring Car Championship, =9th overall, 74 points in a Team Kunimitsu Nissan Skyline GTR with Tsuchiya.
1993	• Japanese F3000 in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T92/50 Mugen. • Competed in the All-Japan Touring Car Championship in a Team Kunimitsu Nissan Skyline GTR with Tsuchiya.
1994	• Japanese F3000, 10th overall, 4 points in an Advan Sports Pal Lola T92/50 Mugen and Lola T94/50 Mugen. • Japanese GT Championship, 3 starts, 7th overall, 35 points, 1 win in a Team Kunimitsu Porsche Carrera RSR with Tsuchiya. • BPR Global GT Endurance series, 1 start in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Tsuchiya and Iida. • Le Mans 24hrs, 18th place in a Kremer Honda NSX with Tsuchiya and Iida. • Suzuka 500kms, 4th place in an Oscar SK90 with Muzutani and Kimura.
1995	• Japanese GT Championship, =10th overall, 28 points in a Team Kunimitsu Porsche Carrera RSR Turbo with Tsuchiya. • BPR Global GT Endurance series, 1 start in a Team Nova Honda NSX Turbo with Iida and Tsuchiya. • Le Mans 24hrs, 8th place in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Iida and Tsuchiya.
1996	• Japanese GT Championship, =26th overall, 8 points in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Tsuchiya. • Le Mans 24hrs, 16th place in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Iida and Tsuchiya. • All-Japan All-Star event, 6th place in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Tsuchiya.
1997	• Japanese GT Championship, =13th overall, 30 points in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida. • All-Japan All-Star event, 16th and 20th places in a Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX with Iida. • Participated in Honda's 50th anniversary celebrations.
1998	• Japanese GT Championship, =19th overall, 25 points, 1 win in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida. • FIA GT Championship, 1 start in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX-S with Iida and Michigami. • All-Japan All-Star event, 2nd place in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.
1999	• Japanese GT Championship, =15th overall, 34 points, 1 win in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida. • Suzuka 1000kms, 4th place in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida and T. Tsuchiya. • All-Japan All-Star event, 2nd place in a Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft Honda NSX with Iida.
2000	• Retired from competitive driving. • Became the President of the GT Association of Japan.