Farewell Itoh-San
Classic Racer|September/October 2019
It is with great sadness that I write this tribute to a long-time Japanese Suzuki Team icon who was one of Suzuki’s flagship riders and my friend of 59 years.
Tommy Robb
Farewell Itoh-San

When we first met each other at the 1960 TT, whilst sharing the same hotel, I was riding as a member of the Geoff MontyTeam. His name (unknown way back then) was Mitsuo Itoh, a 22-year-old employee of the Suzuki Motorcycle Company in Japan.

His lifelong career was spent with Suzuki, working up through the ranks as an engineer and then joining the factory racing team to ride alongside his world champion team-mate Hugh Anderson. He supported him in the 50cc, 125cc and occasionally the 250 class onboard the rather frightening 250 four, which in those days was prone to rapid engine seizures and christened ‘Whispering Death’ by short time Suzuki Team rider, Australian Jack Ahearn.

This story is from the September/October 2019 edition of Classic Racer.

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This story is from the September/October 2019 edition of Classic Racer.

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