From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Motegi – Japan October 4, 2003.

Daijiro Kato Inducted into MotoGP Hall of Fame

At an emotional ceremony at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit today the late Daijiro Kato was inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame. Daijiro’s father, Takashi, attended the ceremony to receive Daijiro’s MotoGP Legends Medal from Carmelo Ezpeleta, C.E.O of Dorna, in the presence of MotoGP Legends, Angel Nieto, Michael Doohan and Kenny Roberts Senior.

The multi-talented rider from Saitama Prefecture Kato was the finest Japanese grand prix rider of his generation. The accident at Suzuka, on April 6, that eventually claimed his life, robbed the world of MotoGP racing of one of the sport’s truly individual talents. Kato, Daichan to all who knew him, was a Superstar in his own right, his astonishing achievements testimony to his brilliance. He was a man who possessed awesome skills, he was tactically astute, and was as tough as he needed to be in a given situation.

Daichan was, however, above all, a man at ease with himself, his family and his team. A man who combined his exceptional qualities as a rider with a relaxed, disarming down to earth personality. He has sadly missed by all fortunate enough to have known him. Wife Makiko, son Ikko, now almost three, and daughter Rinka, seven months old, survive him.


Daijiro Kato – Japan.
July 4, 1976 – April 20, 2003.

Team Honda Gresini
Racing number 74
Race machines NSR250 – RC211V

Date of birth : July 4, 1976.
Place of birth : Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

First race : 1992 Pocket Bike racing
Grand prix debut : 1996 Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka – NSR250 Honda
First Grand Prix win : 1997 Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka – NSR250 Honda

Total podium places 27
25 x 250cc, NSR250 Honda
1 x NSR500
1 x RC211V

Total grand prix wins 17
17 x 250cc, NSR250 Honda

World titles 1
1 x 250cc in 2001, NSR250 Honda


Career Highlights – Daijiro Kato

1994 : 7th 250cc All Japan Championship Honda

1995 : 5th 250cc All Japan Championship Honda

1996 : 2nd 250cc All Japan Championship Honda, 3rd 250cc Japanese Grand Prix (Wild card entry)

1997 : 250cc All Japan Champion Honda, 1st 250cc Japanese Grand Prix (Wild card entry)

1998 : 8th 250cc All Japan Championship Honda, 1st 250cc Japanese Grand Prix (Wild card entry)

1999 : 2nd 250cc All Japan Championship Honda

2000 : 3rd 250cc World Championship Honda – race wins 4, Winner Suzuka 8 Hours

2001 : 250cc World Champion Honda – race wins 11, 4th Suzuka 8 Hours

2002: 7th MotoGP World Championship, Winner Suzuka 8 Hours