Difference between revisions of "Ukyo Katayama"

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'''Ukyo Katayama''' (born 29 May 1963) is a Japanese racing driver.  
 
'''Ukyo Katayama''' (born 29 May 1963) is a Japanese racing driver.  
  
Born in Tokyo, Katayama first raced in Europe in 1986 in France before making his [[Alternate International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]] debut in [[1990 Alternate International F3000 season|1990]]. His first season in the series, driving for Madgewick International, saw many ups and downs, with impressive podium finishes, but many retirements, as well.
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Born in Tokyo, Katayama first raced in Europe in 1986 in France before making his [[Alternate International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]] debut in [[1990 Alternate International F3000 season|1990]]. His first season in the series, driving for Madgewick International, saw many ups and downs with impressive podium finishes, but many retirements as well.
  
  
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'''All Japan F3000'''
 
'''All Japan F3000'''
  
After failing to achieve his goal of getting an F1 seat, Katayama returned to Japan, where he would sign with All-Japan F3000 front runners Heroes Racing, who were sponsored by Cabin, a Cigarette brand from Japan Tobacco, Katayama's main backers. In an incredibly competitive field featuring the likes of Eddie Irvine, Aguri Suzuki, Shinji Nakano, Hideki Noda, Naoki Hattori, Akihiko Nakaya, Jeff Krosnoff, Teammate Takuya Kurosawa, Ross Cheever, Toshio Suzuki, Tom Kristensen and Stefano Modena, among others, Katayama overcame the odds and would win the 1992 All Japan Title with 2 races to spare.
+
After failing to achieve his goal of getting an F1 seat, Katayama returned to Japan, where he would sign with All-Japan F3000 front runners Heroes Racing, who were sponsored by Cabin, a Cigarette brand from Japan Tobacco, Katayama's main backers. In an incredibly competitive field featuring the likes of Eddie Irvine, Aguri Suzuki, Shinji Nakano, Hideki Noda, Naoki Hattori, Akihiko Nakaya, Jeff Krosnoff, teammate Takuya Kurosawa, Ross Cheever, Toshio Suzuki, Tom Kristensen and Stefano Modena, among others, Katayama overcame the odds and would win the 1992 All-Japan F300 title with 2 races to spare.
  
  
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'''Tyrell: 1993-'''
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'''Tyrrell: 1993-'''
  
Despite being the last finisher at the Japanese Grand Prix, Katayama impressed Ken Tyrell enough that he signed the Japanese driver for the 1993 season, with Katayama's backer Japan Tobacco's brand Mild Seven becoming main sponsor for the Surrey outfit. Katayama would pair up with the team's 1992 driver, Christian Fittipaldi, as well as running Illmor engines.
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Despite being the last finisher at the Japanese Grand Prix, Katayama impressed Ken Tyrrell enough that he signed the Japanese driver for the 1993 season, with Katayama's backer Japan Tobacco's brand Mild Seven becoming main sponsor for the Surrey outfit. Katayama would pair up with the team's 1992 driver, Christian Fittipaldi, as well as running Ilmor engines.
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Real-life drivers]]
 
[[Category:Real-life drivers]]
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[[Category:Formula One Drivers]]

Revision as of 17:06, 16 October 2021

Ukyo Katayama (born 29 May 1963) is a Japanese racing driver.

Born in Tokyo, Katayama first raced in Europe in 1986 in France before making his Formula 3000 debut in 1990. His first season in the series, driving for Madgewick International, saw many ups and downs with impressive podium finishes, but many retirements as well.


1991: Pacific Stint

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The following year, in 1991, Katayama would move to Pacific Racing, one of the top teams in the series.



1992: The busiest man in motorsports

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All Japan F3000

After failing to achieve his goal of getting an F1 seat, Katayama returned to Japan, where he would sign with All-Japan F3000 front runners Heroes Racing, who were sponsored by Cabin, a Cigarette brand from Japan Tobacco, Katayama's main backers. In an incredibly competitive field featuring the likes of Eddie Irvine, Aguri Suzuki, Shinji Nakano, Hideki Noda, Naoki Hattori, Akihiko Nakaya, Jeff Krosnoff, teammate Takuya Kurosawa, Ross Cheever, Toshio Suzuki, Tom Kristensen and Stefano Modena, among others, Katayama overcame the odds and would win the 1992 All-Japan F300 title with 2 races to spare.



WTCM and WSC stint

At the same time, Through his connections with Japan Tobacco, Katayama managed to sign for TOM's, who were sponsored by company brand Mild Seven, to compete in toyota machinery in both The World Touring Car Masters and the World Sportscar Championship. Showing an impeccable ease behind the wheel of a touring car for a newcomer, Katayama would stun the WTCM field in the round of japan at okayama, bringing his Toyota Carina to an extremely impressive runner-up finish in the feature race and a 6th place finish in the sprint race, to the joy of the local fans.

In the WSC, Katayama, teaming up with australian David Brabham in the second toyota, Would also impress, finishing 2nd in the Suzuka 1000KM and achieve a respectable 5th place in his first attempt at Le Mans. It was at the spa-Francorchamps race in WTCM, though, that he would receive the oppprtunity of a lifetime: An offer from March to drive for them in the Japanese Grand Prix in October. Katayama accepted, finally fulfilling his dream of making it to F1.



Formula 1: 1992-

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Katayama made his debut at the 1992 Japanese Grand Prix, driving for the dying Leyton House March team as a one-off. Unfortunately for Ukyo, the March lacked considerable pace, and he would qualify at the back of the grid. However, due to attrition and a solid drive, Katayama managed to cross the line as the 13th and last finisher of the Grand Prix.


Tyrrell: 1993-

Despite being the last finisher at the Japanese Grand Prix, Katayama impressed Ken Tyrrell enough that he signed the Japanese driver for the 1993 season, with Katayama's backer Japan Tobacco's brand Mild Seven becoming main sponsor for the Surrey outfit. Katayama would pair up with the team's 1992 driver, Christian Fittipaldi, as well as running Ilmor engines.