Mazda legend Yoshimi Katayama, 1940-2016

Yoshimi Katayama, a former grand prix motorcycle racer who became a legendary force within Mazda's motorsport programs, passed away March 26, Japanese media sources have reported. He was 75.

Although he started out on bikes with Suzuki in 1964, Katayama gained fame after switching to cars with Mazda, with whom he enjoyed a long career as a factory driver, primarily in domestic Japanese sportscar series but also including some significant successes in international events. He finished second in the prestigious James Hardie 1000, at Bathurst's Mount Panorama Circuit in 1983, sharing a works Mazda RX-7 with Allan Moffat. He went on to score class wins at Le Mans in 1984 (in Group C2) and in 1990 (GTP) before retiring at the end of that year.

In the video below, watch as Katayama returns to the track with one of Mazda's legendary Group C sportscars.