During the second day of the Autobacs Super GT Series official test at Suzuka Circuit, a surprise inter-session ceremony was held to honour one of Japanese motorsports’ all-time legends – as Kazuyoshi Hoshino, founder and CEO of Impul, celebrated his 70th birthday.
Joining thousands of fans on hand for the test, were GT Association chairman Masaaki Bandoh, and the rest of the team of the #12 Calsonic Impul Nissan GT-R including drivers Hironobu Yasuda and Jann Mardenborough.
The ceremony was hosted by track announcer Pierre Kitagawa, and the Impul director and founder, nicknamed “The Fastest Man in Japan” over the course of a racing career that has spanned over 50 years as a driver and owner, was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a special birthday message on the Suzuka timing tower.
It turned out to be a good day for Hoshino’s team at Suzuka, who finished in the top three in both the morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday thanks to some solid driving from Yasuda and GT500 newcomer Mardenborough.
We extend our well-wishes to Hoshino-san and the rest of the Impul team and their supporters today!
KAZUYOSHI HOSHINO CAREER MILESTONES
- Six-time Japanese Top Formula Champion (now known as Super Formula) – All-time record
- Five-time Fuji Grand Champion Series Champion – All-time record
- Two-time All-Japan Sports Prototype Champion
- Two-time All-Japan Touring Car Champion
- 39 career Japanese Top Formula Race Victories – All-time Record
- 28 career Fuji Grand Champion Series Race Victories
- 21 career Japanese Touring Car Championship Race Victories
- 10 career All-Japan Endurance/Sports Prototype Championship Race Victories
- 2 career All-Japan GT Championship (now Super GT) Race Victories
- Three-time Fuji 1000km (6 Hours of Fuji) Winner (1985, 1991, 1992)
- Two-time Fuji Inter-TEC 500km Winner (1990, 1991)
- 1990 International Suzuka 1000km Winner
- 1992 24 Hours of Daytona Winner
- 170 career Japanese Top Formula Races – All-time record
- 9 24 Hours of Le Mans Entries – Best finish: 3rd (1998)
- 1982 Bathurst 1000 B Class Winner
Super GT World 