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.

Toru Takahashi 高橋徹
Nationality	Japanese
Born	(1960-10-06)October 6, 1960 Higashihiroshima, Japan
Died	October 23, 1983(1983-10-23) (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

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