Shige Hattori Dies at 61; Gave MIKI KOYAMA, ANNA INOTSUME & MIKI ONAGA Shot

April 7, 2025

• We lost one of the good ones. Shigeaki “Shige” Hattori, who died at 61 in a car accident, wasn’t just another team owner – he was actively creating pathways for women racers when most wouldn’t bother. His partnership with the all-women’s Kyojo Cup series brought young Japanese drivers like MIKI KOYAMA, ANNA INOTSUME, and MIKI ONAGA to America for their first real shot at international competition.
• Hattori’s racing journey was the long game personified. After his own driving career hit roadblocks (including having his CART license revoked), he pivoted to team ownership in 2008 and built something meaningful. His teams won 14 NASCAR Truck Series races and a championship with Brett Moffitt in 2018, proving persistence pays off when you’re willing to evolve.
• The expansion into sports car racing showed Hattori’s vision for the future. Starting with 16-year-old Seth Lucas in 2022, then moving into IMSA with an improbable debut win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, his Toyota GR Supra GT4 program became a launching pad for diverse talent – exactly what we need more of in this sport.

gr cup north america, icon direct toyota, imsa, kyojo cup