Tomoko Igata (井形とも子, born October 30, 1965) is a Japanese former professional Grand Prix

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar from a saddle-style ...

road racer. She competed in the Grand Prix world championships from 1992 to 1995. Igata is notable for being the second full-time female rider after

Taru Rinne Taru Rinne (born 27 August 1968 in Turku) is a Finnish former professional motorcycle racer. She was the first woman to achieve points in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Career Karting Rinne started her racing career in karting, competing against ...

, to compete in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history. In 2016, Igata was named an

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Legend for her pioneering Grand Prix racing career. She is the sister of pioneering motorcycle racer, Mari Igata.

Motorcycle racing career

Igata competed in the 125cc

All Japan Road Race Championship The is the premiere motorcycle road racing championship in Japan. It is run by the Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ) (日本モーターサイクルスポーツ協会) – the Japanese affiliate of the FIM. History The MFJ was formed in 1 ...

from 1991 to 1993, finishing in the Top 10 every year. Her best result was in 199q when she finished 6th in the Championship. In 1992 Igata made her Grand Prix debut at Suzuka as a wild card where she survived the treacherous wet track finishing 20th and capturing the attention of the media. In

1994 The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations. In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...

she signed up for a full 125cc World Championship with the FCC Technical Sports team racing a

Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...

RS125. Igata immediately won two points at the first race in Australia and rode an impressive race in Suzuka, but was injured in a crash at the Austrian Grand Prix and was replaced by her teammate in Japanese championship Tomomi Manako. She returned towards the end of season to finish 28th in the Championship. Igata again competed in the

1995 1995 was designated as: * United Nations Year for Tolerance * World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...

season and achieved a best place finish of 7th at the Czech Grand Prix after having also occupied the 5th place during the race; the highest placing for a female in the history of the Championship. She ended the season in 20th. Igata subsequently returned to Japanese racing in the 125cc class but without major success. In 2016, Igata was awarded the FIM Women's Legend Rider, becoming the first Japanese rider to receive the honor.

References

125cc World Championship riders Japanese motorcycle racers Living people Female motorcycle racers 1965 births {{Japan-motorcycle-racing-bio-stub