Hello AutoRocker KIYO.
Do you remember Takumi Katahira, who once used Funabashi Auto as a home ground?
I died suddenly on May 19, 2015.
5 years since then has passed, but I think that it firmly remain in the memory of everyone even now.
Let’s look back at the achievements of Katahira, who is charismatic and called a genius.
The coincidence of June 14th
Takumi Katahira is a 19th period of Funabashi Auto Race place genus born on June 14, 1965.
The 22nd generation Mitsugu Takahashi, who belongs to the Isesaki Auto Race Track, was born on June 14.
Is this a coincidence?
No way,I can’t imagine two people having the same birthday fighting for titles on the SG front as rivals.
In addition to SG, we also fought for titles in GI and GII.
Many titles
Katahira players, grade race was also won indeed 45 times.
In the SG Superstar Championship, we have the feat of achieving 4 consecutive victories.
In addition, we have won the Best Player Award three times and the Excellent Player Award six times.
The achievements left by Katahira are as follows.
Lifetime results
1 place 1137 times
2 place 765 times
3 place 571 times
Outer 1235 times
Winning 80 times
SG win 15 times
All Japan selection 1996,2001
Superstar Championship Match 1995,1996,1997,1998,2001
Auto race grand prix 1998,2000
East-West Champion Cup 1997
All Star Auto Race 1995,1996
Japan Championship 1990,1993,1994
GⅠ win 16 times
Kuroshio Cup competition (Funabashi) 1988,1990,1999,2000
Auto Race Origin Memorial Funabashi Auto Festival (Funabashi) 1998
Diamond race (Iizuka) 1994,2001
Heisei Champion Cup (San’yo) 1997,2000
Establishment commemoration grand prix race (Kawaguchi) 1999
Grand champion decision match (Kawaguchi) 1994
Nationwide competition (A class) 1991,1994,1996,1997,1999
GⅡ win 14 times
Nikkan Sports sasanka Cup (Funabashi) 1987,1995
Winter cup (Funabashi) 1994,1995
Oval Champion Cup (Iizuka) 2010
Auto Masters Battle (Kawaguchi) 2007
Nikkan Sports cupola Cup (Kawaguchi) 2000
Sankei Sports Magatama Cup competition (Kawaguchi) 1992
Hayate prize competition (Isesaki) 1994,1996,1997
Spring speed king deciding match (Hamamatsu) 1993
Chunichi sports cup competition summer champion decision match (Hamamatsu) 1988
Suponichi Cup competition selected Area Confrontation Battle (Sanyo) 1994
Records and awards
Most Championships of the year
Most wins of the year
Achieved 1000 wins April 11, 2009
Best Player Award 1994, 1995, 1996 (simultaneously awarded with Nobuhiro Shimada “Funabashi”)
Outstanding Player Award 1988,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001
Special award 1993,1994,1997,1998,2001
New face fighting award 1986
Japan Professional Sports Award,Achievement Award 1993,1994
Daily three Award
Distinguished Award 1995,1996
Fighting award 1988,1989
Skill award 1994,2001
Special award 1993
Engine unification became a turning point
After debuting, Katahira will meet “Kibble white” to master the auto race.
There is a master (Former player of Shinobu Itabashi) and a maintenance team at the racetrack, but he was doing something impossible under the guidance of an outside leader.
As a result, I was equipped with the attitude and maintenance skills to face the Auto Race.
In October 1993, until then the “Triumph” “Fuji” the engine, such as has been unified in the “SEAR”.
Immediately after that, after unifying “SEAR” at the SG Japan Championship, it became the first SG victory.
Katahira had a struggle the “SEAR” characteristic around him, but he was able to respond quickly.
After that, Katahira became known as “genius“, “charisma“ and “Heaven-sent child of SEAR“.
Above all, it is no exaggeration to say that the encounter with “Kibble white” changed the life of Katahira after that.
Great overtaking that captivated everyone
Speaking of Katahira,the race was”Starting from 8th place, one car will be handled per lap and we will finish first.”
The race at that time was so splendid that the other 7 cars could be seen to stop.
Especially the highlight was the 11th SG Superstar Championship Championship.
What,only Katahira started from 10m behind!
Immediately after the start, after catching up with the previous seven people, he overtook one by one, led on the sixth lap, and greatly separated behind him to reach the goal.
This is because I won the SG title in the “Super Handicap” nowadays, so I think I was able to convey how great it was.
The crisis that hit the Funabashi Auto Race ground, and …
In August 2014, it was a sudden announcement.Thing that to abolish the bridge auto racetrack.
The signing movement to withdraw the abolition will soon begin, but the move to the abolition only accelerated.
At that point, something strange happens to Katahira.
I will miss the second day of the GI Kuroshio Cup on May 10, 2015.
Ten days after that, on May 19th, the news of “Takumi Katahira’s death” came in.
Everyone would be surprised at the sudden obituary.
It was a sudden thing at that time, and it was such an impact that it turned white in my head.
The race to overtake seven it was sad to think that it is not seen again.
Katahira’s wish did not come true, and the Funabashi Auto Race Track was abolished in March 2016.
The was mortifying is Katahira players not anyone else.
I didn’t want to leave Funabashi and wanted to run more.
Katahira’s charismatic existence is immortal forever
Inspired by Katahira’s success, I think the boys and girls decided “I want to be an auto racer like Katahira!”
Even if you chase and overtake your goal, Katahira, the challenge will last forever.
Sota Suzuki (currently belonging to Isesaki) who became a disciple will continue to take a leap forward than his teacher.
Of course, such them Katahira players are watching in the distant location.
5 years since then,I will never forget Takumi Katahira, who was called the “Heaven-sent child of Sear” forever.
We pray for the souls of Takumi Katahira.
That’s AutoRocker KIYO.
Impressions of this article is here.
I thought Mr. Katahira’s death date was May 20, but I first learned from the tweet above that May 19 was correct.
In this article, Katahira’s death date will be May 19.