Mari Igata

Mari Igata (; March 16, 1958 – August 13, 2024) was a pioneering Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. She would become the first woman to race in the Suzuka 8 Hours and the All Japan Road Race Championship. 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. Igata was the elder sister of championship racer Tomoko Igata.

Background Aa 1969 Honda Dax, similar to the first motorcycle purchased by Igata. Mari Igata was born in Bunkyō, Tokyo in 1958. Igata became interested in motorcycles early, buying a 50cc Honda Dax in her second year of high school. She soon turned to racing when she learned about Honda's "Blue Helmets" team. 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. By 1985, she placed 5th in the All Japan Championship International A-class 125 rankings. It was the first motorcycle training school exclusively for women in Japan. The school has trained more than 16,000 women to ride, and has taught motorcyclists across Japan the principles of safe motorcycling. and Bridgestone.

Later years In 2003, Mari Igata was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. In 2004, due to worsening health issues, Mari Igata's sister Tomo Igata took over day-to-day management of Team Mari. Mari Igata retired completely from her racing school in 2010. On 13 August 2024, Mari Igata died suddenly of complications of myasthenia gravis at age 66.