He is a legend of Japanese motorsport who passed away with the death of Takahashi Kunimitsu on March 16, 2022, at the age of 82.
Although it may seem that this is not the case, the United States Motorcycle Grand Prix has not been held since the 2014 season and has also not been recorded in the Motorcycle World Championship. And it is not to be confused with the Grand Prix of the Americas that has been held in Austin since that same 2013 and that can be considered the substitute for the American event.
Of course, to find the origin of this race you have to go back to the 60s of the last century when it began to be held at the Daytona Circuit, although it was not scored until 1964 and 1965.
After those years it disappeared from the calendar, something that could be considered almost logical due to the scarcity of American pilots with options to win the world championship. After all, in the country of stars and stripes, there were other competitions that attracted much more public.
Everything changed when the 500 cc two-stroke motorcycles arrived and the riding style was adapted to that used in North American competitions. It was then that the world championship grid was filled with Americans with the ability to push their bikes to the limit. Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Randy Mamola, Eddie Lawson, and the company sparked interest across the pond and the United States GP was back on the schedule.
For this, they chose the Laguna Seca circuit located in California, one of those tracks that seem destined for great races. In addition, in most cases, only the high displacements were run on it. This was the case until 1994, the first of the years in which Michael Doohan began to dominate in the pint.
It was not until 2005 when the world championship returned to the Laguna Seca asphalt to leave some of the most iconic photos of the last two decades… obviously in the most famous curve: the corkscrew. The GP was held until 2013, although it had the characteristic that only MotoGP riders participated, so all the attention was focused on them.
As we have said, the witness was taken by the GP of the Americas, where Marc Márquez has dominated with an iron hand since it was launched.
Drivers With The Most Victories
As for the names that have stood out on the North American asphalt, we must mention those who have reaped the most victories. And there have been five riders who have managed to climb to the top of the podium three times :
The first of them was the Japanese Kunimitsu Takahashi, who did it in 1962 (when he was not part of the world championship) in 500, 125, and 50.
It was also achieved by Australian Hugh Anderson, who triumphed at Daytona in both 50cc and eighth litres.
The next to demonstrate his art on the bike was Wayne Rainey, who was a prophet in his land, dominating from 1989 to 1991.
Another American also triumphed in Laguna Seca. This is John Kocinski, who stood on the top of the podium in both the 500 and 250.
The last to reach those figures was Casey Stoner in 2007, 2011, and 2012, on a track that he was always good at.
Kunimitsu Takahashi Cause Of Death:
Kunimitsu Takahashi died due to cancer. Takahashi was facing cancer for the past few months. He left for his eternal journey March 16, 2022, at the age of 82.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
