Toyota President acknowledges Honda-owned Suzuka Circuit as his spark to become a racing enthusiast
CY Foong · Apr 2, 2022 12:00 PM
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Did you know that the world famous Suzuka Circuit that plays host to the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix is developed by Soichiro Honda? Yes, the master engineer that founded the brand that bore his surname also played a huge role in developing one of the oldest tracks in Japan.
The Suzuka Circuit is designed by John Hugenholtz, the same architect behind the much-missed Batu Tiga Circuit in Shah Alam. It is owned by Honda which also uses it to test the paces of their famous Type R branded performance cars.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda Morizo (left) and his team that took 41st place overall at the 2019 24 Hours of Nurburgring
The famous circuit is also the venue where Toyota President Akio Toyoda’s father took him to watch his first-ever Japanese Grand Prix for his 7th birthday. Toyoda-san has many fond memories with the circuit that during this year’s Fan Appreciation Day, he made a surprise appearance to celebrate the circuit’s 60th anniversary.
Not in person though, Toyoda-san appeared via video under his car enthusiast alter ego, Morizo, which was displayed at the circuit’s jumbotron screen. In his video message, he shared his memories of Suzuka to the fans that gathered.
The future President of Toyota probably saw a Nissan took first place at a circuit owned by Honda
He reminisced his first visit which was filled with the noise of loud engines and the smell of gasoline. “Seeing all the racers and team personnel running around the paddock that day was a great deal of fun,” he said.
“Those first sensory experiences have lived within me since then, helping to create the petrolhead Morizo of today,” Toyoda-san continued.
He also put all animosity towards rival Honda aside by congratulating the Big H on winning the 2021 Formula One driver’s championship with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and has high hopes for F1’s only Japanese driver, Yuki Tsunoda.
Besides, he also revealed that he’s a member of the Suzuka Motor Sports Club (SMSC) and would sometimes pop over into the circuit for a few quick laps.
The picturesque Fuji Speedway, owned by Toyota since 2000
Toyota has its own race circuit, the also famous Fuji Speedway in Oyama, Shizuoka but Toyoda-san chose the Suzuka Circuit as his motorsports playground because it is the nearest circuit to home.
Conveniences aside, Toyoda-san thinks that Suzuka is a challenging course and sometimes he feels as if Soichiro Honda-san is telling him that “(He’s) still got a long way to go” each time he’s racing around the circuit.
Toyoda-san is one of a few automotive heads that exude the enthusiast spirit and fans who saw his video message shared that sentiment. “It’s great to see the boundaries between manufacturers blurred like this,” one commenter noted.
Below is the full message that was presented by Akio Toyoda-san to fans that were gathered for the 60th anniversary Suzuka Circuit Fan Appreciation Day:
Good morning to everyone here at Suzuka Circuit. It’s Morizo.
On my seventh birthday, my father took me to the first-ever Japanese Grand Prix. That is my earliest memory of visiting Suzuka.
It was probably a birthday present from my father—a present filled with the noise of loud engines and the smell of gasoline.
All the adults running around the paddock that day seemed to be having a great deal of fun…
Those first sensory experiences have lived within me since then, helping to create the petrolhead Morizo of today.
I’m sure there are also many children here today with their fathers and mothers.
I hope this day creates unforgettable memories for those children, as well.
I know it’s a little late, but congratulations to Honda on winning last year’s F1 championship!
That final lap by drivers’ champion Max Verstappen was truly something to behold! I also look forward to big things from Yuki Tsunoda (the only Japanese driver currently competing in Formula 1, and a Honda supported driver)!
It was unfortunate that Tsunoda couldn’t race in the Japanese Grand Prix last year. Our rally driver Takamoto Katsuta also missed out on Rally Japan (scheduled for late last year, but canceled due to the pandemic).
If the Olympics (five rings) are possible, why not two or four rings (or rather wheels)? Let’s hope for spectacular races in Japan this year.
I am actually a member of the Suzuka Motor Sports Club, the SMSC. Why? Because it’s the nearest circuit to my home.
Suzuka is a really challenging course. Nowhere else am I so afraid to step on the gas.
It feels as though the course’s creator, Soichiro Honda, is telling me, “You’ve still got a long way to go.”
This year’s Super Taikyu Series starts and finishes in Suzuka. I certainly need the practice, so I hope to sneak in some more Suzuka sessions before then.
To Honda and Mobilityland, I thank you for always welcoming me here at my local circuit. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it in person today.
To all the car fans, motorbike fans, and of course Suzuka fans who have come out today, let’s enjoy another great year of motorsports!
On behalf of my fellow SMSC members, that’s all from Morizo.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
