Jim Clark, a resolute and renowned racing car driver, who was also the reigning Formula One world champion at the moment, looks intently into the distance while maneuvering his Lotus vehicle through the paddock.
In a different setting, IndyCars are arranged in a row like dominoes on a recently constructed racetrack, while the majestic Mt. Fuji, a treasured emblem of Japan known for its exquisite beauty, looms in the distance.
The photographs, taken by Japanese photographer Joe Honda and currently shown at the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Scotland, showcase a significant yet overlooked milestone in the history of motorsport. However, organizing the exhibition race at the Fuji International Speedway road circuit proved to be a challenging task. Due to the inability of the IndyCar teams to bring any additional parts to Japan, 11 out of the 33 cars experienced mechanical issues during practice and were consequently unable to participate in the race. Only eleven individuals successfully completed the race.
Riki Ohkubo, a journalist and former factory works driver, described the IndyCar race as a curiosity due to it being the first time the cars were seen racing, despite the fact that the race completed very swiftly.
“The onlookers were astonished by the superior level of advancement exhibited by the vehicles in comparison to the family sedans that had been modified for racing in the domestic Japan Grand Prix,” he remarked.
Today, the landmark IndyCar race is largely forgotten, despite experts acknowledging its occurrence during a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. Business prospect
During the 1960s, Japan was rapidly developing into a technologically advanced nation after its loss in World War II.
During this period, the globe witnessed the inception of the first-ever high-speed rail and the organization of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. These prominent events provided the country with a chance to transcend its militaristic history and fostered a sense of pride and optimism for the future among the people.
Japan’s automotive sector was thriving and contributing to the transformation of Japan’s image and the fading of negative associations with World War II.
As an example, in the United States, Honda, a Japanese car maker, experienced a significant increase in sales of their small motorcycles. Sales went from $500,000 in 1960 to $77 million in 1965. This growth was driven by a marketing campaign in 1963 that featured the slogan “You meet the nicest people on a Honda.” This slogan even inspired the Beach Boys’ popular song “Little Honda.”
In Japan, the growing interest in motorbikes was shifting towards cars due to the introduction of new models by Honda, while the Nissan Sunny gained popularity as an affordable choice among the middle-class population. During this period, there was a shift in interest from motorcycle racing to car racing, and the country began constructing permanent, professional race tracks.
According to Shiozawa, the inaugural Japan Grand Prix for sports cars occurred in 1963 at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie prefecture. This event attracted a large crowd of tens of thousands of people.
In the subsequent year, Honda made a public declaration of its participation in Formula One, signifying another significant achievement. In May 1966, the third Japan Grand Prix took place at Fuji International Speedway, two years after the previous edition.
Jack K. Yamaguchi, a journalist for Road & Track magazine, reported that Jin, a well-known promoter in Japan, recognized a lucrative business opportunity during the 1966 Indy 200 race. Jin was known for organizing prestigious international events such as the Bolshoi Ballet and the Leningrad Philharmonic.
“The preparations for the Indy 200 were already completed at that time, and the Japanese were eager and prepared to finance the racing event,” he stated.