Mari Igata

[1] A member of the Showa era, Igata is remembered for breaking barriers for Japanese women in sport, as well as creating opportunities for the next generation with her Team Mari racing school.

Initially, she was turned away, but kept returning to the team's club room, performing menial tasks such as refueling the bikes until they suggested giving her a 125cc to ride.

[3] Coming into the final corner, she fell, breaking her femur and pelvis, and suffering internal organ damage.

[3] Eager to remain involved in motorsport while recovering, in 1988, she founded "Team Mari" a motorcycling school for women.

[3] The school and training continues today, held at Saitama, Motegi, Suzuka and elsewhere in Japan where it has been supported by Honda Motorcycles[6] and Bridgestone.