was a Japanese professional

Grand Prix Grand Prix ( , meaning ''Grand Prize''; plural Grands Prix), is a name sometimes used for competitions or sport events, alluding to the winner receiving a prize, trophy or honour Grand Prix or grand prix may refer to: Arts and entertainment ...

motorcycle road racer. Ito began his Grand Prix career in

1960 It is also known as the "Year of Africa" because of major events—particularly the independence of seventeen African nations—that focused global attention on the continent and intensified feelings of Pan-Africanism. Events January * Ja ...

, although he was a Factory Yamaha rider as far back as 1957 where the Yamaha YD-A & YD-B 250cc machines were so devastating in the Asama highlands race, where Yamaha took the first 3 places with Matsuko on a YD-A taking the honors. Ito himself could have easily won the race and had set the fastest lap, but his YD-A

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

seized and cost him the race. The machines were later modified for the 1958 Catalina GP in States with smaller fuel tanks taken from the YA 125 machines, high pipes and high footpegs. Ito was the Star rider of the team and the only Japanese rider alongside four local American riders. Ito finished 6th, even after an unscheduled pit stop for a fouled plug. He enjoyed his best season in

1963 Events January * January 1 – Bogle–Chandler case: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation scientist Dr. Gilbert Bogle and Mrs. Margaret Chandler are found dead (presumed poisoned), in bushland near the Lane Cov ...

when he won the 250cc Belgian Grand Prix and finished the season in third place in the 250cc world championship, behind

Jim Redman James Albert Redman, (born 8 November 1931) is a British-born Zimbabwean former professional motorcycle racer. He competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1959 to 1966. Redman is notable for being a six-time Grand Prix road racing world c ...

and

Tarquinio Provini Tarquinio Provini (29 May 1933 – 6 January 2005) was an Italian professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He was a two-time world champion in road racing. Provini was also a four-time Isle of Man TT winner and won 13 Italian national ch ...

.Fumio Ito career statistics at MotoGP.com
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Motorcycle Grand Prix results

(

key Key or The Key may refer to: Common meanings * Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm * Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock * Key (map ...

) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

References

1939 births 1991 deaths Japanese motorcycle racers 250cc World Championship riders 500cc World Championship riders Isle of Man TT riders {{Japan-motorcycle-racing-bio-stub