Takashi Yokoyama (racing driver)

Takashi Yokoyama (横山 崇 Yokoyama Takashi) (December 31, 1971 – October 19, 1997) was a Japanese Formula 3 Championship race car driver. He died during the season ending Japanese Formula 3 Championship race at Fuji on October 19, 1997.

During the early stages of the race, a crash happened in front of Yokoyama between the leaders. There, Dutch racer Tom Coronel got clipped from behind trying to hold off Japanese racer Shigekazu Wakisaka and the two cars went into a big accident. Wakisaka climbed over the top of Coronel's car and Tom was nearly beheaded by one of Wakisaka's tires, which hit the side of his helmet before Wakisaka flipped over in the sandpit. Despite the near tragedy, both drivers survived and walked away from the accident. Coronel had a tire mark on his helmet.

This accident brought out a full course caution and the remaining drivers were told to slow down for the safety car. On the front stretch, Yokoyama was behind a group of cars that slowed down awaiting for the safety car to come out. Unfortunately, Yokoyama was approaching the field too fast and before he could hit the brakes, he hit one car and went airborne. The force of the impact sent Yokoyama into a signboard; the car disintegrated and then fell to the pavement. Yokoyama died instantly from severe injuries sustained in the crash and the organizers decided to cancel the rest of the race. He was 25 years old.

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