Tony in Japan
Group 7 racing was also run in Europe and Japan – the Japan series began in 1968. Nissan and Toyota (partnered with Yamaha) were the main participants. Toyota had been unsuccessfully trying to beat the Nissan G7 sports cars for a couple of years and came up with the idea of importing a McLaren M12 chassis. The Toyota factory fitted revised bodywork to their McLaren, then installed their own five-liter, quad overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine. More McLarens were imported by private racing teams, some powered by factory-supplied Toyota engines, others by aluminum big block Chevrolet V8 engines.
Many international drivers made the trip to Japan with their own McLarens and Lolas; some teamed with Japanese drivers, tried new bodywork, and sometimes sold their cars to Japanese teams who often installed factory-supplied Toyota V8 engines. When Toyota withdrew from racing, teams using those loaned engines had to replace them with the big bore aluminum Chevy engines.
The Fuji Grand Champion Series ran from 1971 to 1989; all races were held at the Fuji Speedway circuit. Japanese road racing thrived and some drivers like Tony, were paid to fly over and drive Japanese team cars.
September 5, 1971
Fuji International Speedway, Japan
Fuji Grand Champion 200 (Round 4)
McLaren M12
Result: DNF (tire)
1970 Fuji Speedway brochure
Fuji Speedway was built in the shadow of Mt. Fuji in the 1960’s. The circuit opened in December 1965, though racing did not get under way until the following year. The track’s high-speed sweeping turns proved quite hazardous until improved safety barriers were adopted.
Tony’s hood badge souvenir from event
I was invited by the team twice. The first time I was leading the race by a good margin in the rain. It was documented by Japanese TV with great coverage. They couldn’t believe the distance I made from the other competitors in the first couple of laps. The lead I had was phenomenal, I took to the track like a duck in a new pond. The car soon retired with tire failure. Seems the team’s old rain tires were dry rotted.
Mt. Fuji towers behind the grandstands
The pits at Fuji
Invitation letter from Fuji Speedway
Promotional flyer showing Tony and his old #12 McLaren M12
#66 Tadashi Sakai (McLaren M12), #6 Hiromu Tanaka (Chevron B16), #88 Hiroshi Kazato (Porsche 908/02), and Tony in #03
Tony’s McLaren M12 ahead of Noritake Takahara (Lola T212)
The rear tire that ended Tony’s day
1971 Fuji Grand Champion 200 Round 4 race results
October 10, 1971
Fuji International Speedway, Japan
Fuji Grand Champion Series (round 5)
McLaren M12
Result: 4th
Five weeks later, I went back with brand new Goodyear rain tires, sent over for the occasion. I don’t think it rained this time. The team was happy with a great set of new rain tires, but the throttle linkage was not.
I struggled with a stuck throttle cable for the entire race. Those red Morse cables were not all that great, but everyone used them at the time. I ended up one lap in arrears, finishing fourth.
Tony and Mt. Fuji
Japan market racing enthusiast magazine with a feature story on Tony
Tony and Vicki Dokos
Adamowicz collection
Tony and girlfriend Vicki Dokos at the track
1971 Fuji Grand Champion 200 Round 5 race results