Hiroshi Kazato facts for kids

Hiroshi Kazato was a talented Japanese race car driver. He was born on March 13, 1949, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He sadly passed away on June 2, 1974, at the age of 25.

Hiroshi Kazato's Racing Journey

Hiroshi Kazato began his exciting racing career when he was just 19 years old. He quickly showed great skill behind the wheel.

Early Races and Achievements

In 1971, Hiroshi took part in the Can-Am racing season. This was a popular sports car racing series. He drove a powerful Lola T222-Chevrolet car and finished 10th overall in the championship standings. This was a great achievement for a young driver!

He also competed in the European Formula Two series. This is a stepping stone for many drivers hoping to reach Formula One. Hiroshi raced in the 1972 and 1973 seasons, earning 7 championship points. He graduated from Seikei University in 1973, showing he was dedicated to both his studies and his passion for racing.

A Tragic Day at Fuji Speedway

On June 2, 1974, Hiroshi Kazato was racing in the Fuji Grand Champion series at Fuji Speedway in Japan. During the race, he was involved in a collision with another driver, Seiichi Suzuki.

This sad accident led to important changes at the Fuji Speedway track. The part of the track where the accident happened had a very steep 30-degree banking. To make the track safer for future races, this banking was removed. A new, safer hairpin turn was built in its place. This change created the modern layout of the Fuji Speedway that we know today.

Resources

• Motorsport Memorial