Tetsu Ikuzawa
| Tetsu Ikuzawa | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Born | 21 August 1942 Tokyo, Japan |
| Previous series | |
| 1971-1978 1978 1974, 1976-1977 1970-1973 1966-1969 | Fuji Grand Champion Series Super Formula Championship All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship European Formula Two Championship British Formula Three Championship |
| Championship titles | |
| 1977 | Fuji Grand Champion Series |
| Awards | |
| 1967 1964 | Japanese Grand Prix Japanese Grand Prix (Touring car, T-V class) |
Tetsu Ikuzawa born 21 August 1942 is a Japanese former racing driver, team executive, and businessman from Tokyo, Japan. He is one of the most successful and prolific Japanese drivers from the early years of the nation's automobile racing history[1].
Ikuzawa was the first Japanese driver to compete full time overseas, racing in championships such as the British Formula Three Championship and European Formula Two Championship. He was also one of the first Japanese drivers to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, making his first start in 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans for SARD alongside his countryman, Hiroshi Fushida. In domestic competition, Ikuzawa won the 1964 and 1967 Japanese Grand Prix sports car races, and the 1977 Fuji Grand Champion Series.
After retiring from full-time driving, Ikuzawa established i&i Racing Development, later known as Team Ikuzawa. They fielded cars in the Super Formula Championship, winning championships with drivers Satoru Nakajima in 1981-1982 and Geoff Lees (racing driver) in 1983. Team Ikuzawa competed in the All-Japan Sports Prototype Championship from 1984 to 1986. They also competed in motorcycle road racing, winning the 1989 Suzuka 8 Hours with riders Dominique Sarron and Alex Vieira on their Honda RVF750 RC45. In 1990, Ikuzawa became the manager of Nismo.
Despite his trailblazing status, and having some success in Europe, Ikuzawa was never able to break into Formula One as a driver. In 1994, Ikuzawa recruited former Williams manager Peter Windsor and former Lotus designer Enrique Scalabroni to help establish a new prospective Formula One team.[2] Ikuzawa's prospective F1 entry never materialized as the result of financial difficulties, brought on by a slumping Japanese economy. Many of the staff recruited by Ikuzawa would go on to join Stewart Grand Prix, who made their F1 debut in 1997.
References
- ↑ "TETSU IKUZAWA". www.mmjp.or.jp. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
- ↑ "Ikuzawa; the team that became Stewart Grand Prix". UNRACEDF1.COM (in Nederlands). 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
External links
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