Fuck Yeah! Daijiro Kato 「加藤大治郎」 74
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This blog is a way of remember the Japanese MotoGP rider Daijiro Kato (Saitama, Japan, July 4th, 1976 - Yokkaichi, Japan, April 20, 2003).
Kato raced in the 250cc class of MotoGP as a wildcard rider between 1996 and 1999 in Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka (winning on 1997 and 1998), and he became a regular rider on this class in 2000 year, entering on the team of Fausto Gresini with the factory of HRC.
He became the champion of 2001 season of 250cc class, as well the person with most victories in a same season on this class: 11 from 16 races.
Kato entered on the newly formed MotoGP class (who replaced the old 500cc class) in 2002 year, again with the team of Fausto Gresini. Initially he used a old bike of the old category, but he got two podiums on that season and he became the "Rookie of the Year" with the 7th place in the season. For 2003 year he received the official bike of HRC, the same who had other riders like Valentino Rossi.
Unfortunately, he had a serious crash in the first race of 2003 season, in Suzuka (April 6th, 2003), and he went to comma, until he died two weeks after.
Since then, his race number, 74, was banned of the championship.
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kanaruaizawa16 Kanaru World ~ Madness -
tanixy My Heart Draws a Dream ~
Pack of GIFs of this documentary video about him.
THE PACKS OF GIFs are back.
OK, from my personal account, but I was too bored so I did this.
A somewhat funny photo with Italian rider Marco Melandri (left), who was new in the 250cc class in that time. 2000 year.
Melandri would become one of the rivals of Kato for the title of 2001 year, despite the Italian ended up third, behind of Kato and Tetsuya Harada. Also, Melandri would get his first victory on 250cc class in Sachsenring 2001, after of beat Kato himself in the last moments of the race.
Melandri, finally, would become the Champion of 250cc class in 2002 year.
And, by the way, Melandri… no, Daijiro Kato is not your newest pillow. Thanks.
Today ten years ago that great Daijiro Kato left us, one of my mechanics was his mechanic! #74 (via @AleixEspargaro)
From my personal blog.
The Spanish rider Aleix Espargaró (Power Electronics Aspar Team, MotoGP) wrote this on his twitter account in April 20th, before of the qualifications of the race in COTA.
By the way, did you notice tht the “4” on Espargaró’s race number on his ‘41’ (who is known that he took it from another Japanese rider, Youichi Ui) was taken from Kato’s 74, even on the detail of the eight-points star?
Maybe I am the only crazy in the world who noticed that, but seems like yes, Aleix admired so much Kato-san to the point of copy him a bit.
Mr. Aleix Espargaró, thanks for honour his memory as deserved!
世界チャンピオン …
Daijiro Kato, Telefonica Movistar Gresini-Honda NSR250, 2001 Malaysian 250cc Grand Prix, Sepang
Though this photo was already posted, and in fact it’s one of most known of Daijiro Kato, just reblogging this because they wrote “世界チャンピオン” (‘sekai champion’, it means “World Champion” in Japanese Language).
Aleix Espargaró with a little sticker with a 74 inside of his 41.
(via kanaruaizawa16)
Álvaro Bautista’s bike in Austin, remembering to dear Daijiro.
心の中にいつまでも．．．
ｗｅ ｎｅｖｅｒ ｆｏｒｇｅｔ ｙｏｕ．．．
Yes, I know today is April 6th, ten years since that day, Suzuka 2003. But instead of cry, let’s put some beautiful stuff.
It’s better to remember him like this.
Hey, are you suspicious about something?
From 2003 year. Very probably before Suzuka race. With his race engineer, Fabrizio Cecchini.
From Rio 2001, his last race in 250cc and his last victory.
The next year he would enter into the newly formed MotoGP class.
