Yoshimi Katayama

Yoshimi Katayama (Japanese: 片山 義美, Hepburn: Katayama Yoshimi; May 15, 1940 – March 26, 2016) was a Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and auto racer.

Born in the Hyōgo Prefecture, Katayama began his Grand Prix career in 1964 with Suzuki. He enjoyed his best season in 1967 when he won two races, including the French Grand Prix held at the challenging Circuit de Charade. He finished the season in second place behind his Suzuki teammate, Hans-Georg Anscheidt in the 50cc world championship. He also finished the 1967 season in fourth place in the 125cc championship. Katayama won four Grand Prix races in his career.

Katayama would later switch to cars, competing in domestic series mainly as Mazda's factory driver until he retired at the end of 1990. He finished second in the 1983 James Hardie 1000, held at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia co-driving with four-time winner Allan Moffat in a factory supported Mazda RX-7. His previous visits to the race were in 1977 when he spectacularly rolled his Mazda RX-3 at Murray's Corner on lap 103, and 1982 where he finished in sixth place again partnering Moffat.

In 1990, Katayama placed 20th overall and won the GTP class in the 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Mazda 767.

Katayama passed away on 26 March 2016 after a short illness, he was 75 years old.