Fumio Ito: Yamaha's first GP winner
The Japanese company is celebrating 50 years of GP participation in 2011, and one rider certainly holds a special place in that rich historyFumio Ito did not ascend to the heights of being an FIM world champion, but he takes rightful pride of place in the gallery of Yamaha’s racing heroes for being the first to demonstrate the potential of the factory’s machinery on the international stage.
It was Ito who captured Yamaha’s very first Grand Prix winner’s garland by leading home his team-mate, Yoshikazu Sunako, on 250cc RD56 motorcycles at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps in 1963 – becoming just the third Japanese victor of an FIM GP world championship event.
Ito was 19 years old when he travelled to the USA in 1958 to race for Yamaha in the Catalina GP, and turned plenty of heads by scoring sixth position.
It was the first time Yamaha motorcycles had been introduced to an international audience and the positive performance and high levels of interest prompted the Hamamatsu factory to create a special racing development division in 1959.
Two years later and Yamaha was ready, with participation in the French round at Clermont-Ferrand. Ito would earn ninth overall in the 250cc class in 1961.
Yamaha improved its bikes through a season away from the sport in 1962 and came back in fine form in ’63 when Ito won the 250cc class at Daytona (USA) and then achieved his milestone through the long and fast streets of that famous track in Belgium.
Many believed Ito had the potential to battle for the ’64 world crown in the 250 class, but sadly his career was curtailed after a pre-season crash that year. He spent his later years living in the USA until passing away in 1991 at the age of 52.
Meanwhile, Yamaha Motor Australia has announced the two winners of its recent MotoGP competition -- Robert Davidson from Port Macquarie (NSW) and Dylan Jones from Adamstown Heights (NSW).
The winners entered a Moto GP competition that was open to all purchasers of Yamaha R1 and R6s before May 31, 2011.
All new owners received a free 50th Moto GP anniversary race stand and were asked to describe why they wanted to attend the Assen Moto GP in 25 words or less.
The entries of Davidson and Jones from were judged to be the most creative. Congratulations -- your seven-day tour of Holland and the Assen GP awaits.
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