Kunimitsu Takahashi

About

Professional motorcycle road racer and racing driver best known as the "father of drifting." He is a four-time All-Japan Sports Prototype Champion, and winner of numerous racing championships including the Japanese Super Formula Championship and the Japanese Touring Car Championship. He also formed the multi-Super GT championship winning team, Team Kunimitsu, in 1994.

Before Fame

He began his career racing motorcycles in 1958, however, an injury he sustained at the 1962 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy racing event inspired his switch to racing four-wheeled vehicles in 1965. 

Trivia

He was the first Japanese rider to ever win a World Grand Prix. Throughout his career as a motorcycle racer, he went on to win a total of four Grand Prix races altogether.

Family Life

He was born in Tokyo, Japan.

Associated With

He founded and managed Team Kunimitsu, which won its first Formula One championship in 2009, with driver Jenson Button.