Home Personalities Fumio Ito, part 1
Fumio Ito, part 1

Fumio Ito went into history as the first Yamaha "Factory" rider who went abroad and scored the very first noteworthy placing for a Yamaha machine.

It was reported by Staff of Nippon Gakki (Yamaha Musical Instruments), the parent company, that participating in a race in the Los Angeles area would be a good idea to demonstrate the excellent quality of Yamaha motorcycles.

At that time (1958) there was no significant import into the USA, although Yamaha planned already the establishment of what later was called "Yamaha International Corporation".

So Yamaha participated in the Santa Catalina Island GP, held on May 3-4. This was also the first time a japanese manufacturer participated in a US race.

It was the eight Catalina GP with US and European entries, the track was more what we call now MX than roadrace !

Fumio Ito, Catalina G.P. 1958
Fumio Ito, Catalina G.P. 1958
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Yamaha entered into the 250 cc class with a modified version of the bike that had won in April 1957 at home in Japan the second Mount Asama Highland race.

5 Bikes were entered, one by Fumio Ito of course, the others by Earl H. Wilson, Doug Yearkes, Jerry Close and Ray Presho.

The race was also attended by the then President of Yamaha, Mr. Genichi Kawakami, the man who was actually the founder of Yamaha Motor Company.

Ito-san came home 6th in this gruelling race. From the 32 motorcycles only 11 finished.

I am not 100% sure about this second picture but it appears to be the Yamaha Paddock during the Catalina event. You see the motorcycle cases on the background.

No motorhomes and other luxury in those days! It was the time of iron men and iron motorcycles.........

 

Workshop Catalina G.P. 1958
Workshop Catalina G.P. 1958

 

This is a fine picture of Fumio Ito as he appeared at the start during his G.P. career.

Fumio Ito, Yamaha GP rider
Fumio Ito, Yamaha GP rider
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After the Catalina event the bikes were loaned to others riders. Here is Roxy Rockwood who won a "lightweight" 250 ccm race a little later in Dodge City, Kansas. This was actually the very first real "roadrace" won by Yamaha outside Japan!

 

Roxy Rockwood, YDB
Roxy Rockwood, YDB

 

Also Cal Rayborn, another famous US rider in those years, used one of the YD bikes and won a Dirt half-mile race in the El Cajun TT in May 1959.
 

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