Fumio Ito

Fumio Ito was a Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, born on 10 October 1939 and died on 10 March 1991. He began his Grand Prix career in 1960, although he had been a factory Yamaha rider as far back as 1957, when the Yamaha YD-A and YD-B 250cc machines took the first three places in the Asama highlands race. He set the fastest lap in that race and could have won it, but his YD-A seized. In 1958 he was the only Japanese rider alongside four local American riders in the Yamaha team at the Catalina Grand Prix, finishing sixth despite an unscheduled pit stop for a fouled plug. His best season was 1963, when he won the 250cc Belgian Grand Prix and finished third in the 250cc world championship, behind Jim Redman and Tarquinio Provini.