was a Japanese racing car driver.

Career

During the 1980s, he competed in several Fuji Grand Champion Series races. Ogawa won the 1989 All Japan Formula 3000 Championship and finished 2nd in the same championship in 1990. In the same year, teaming up with Masanori Sekiya, he won the JAF Grand Prix All Japan Fuji 500km, held at Fuji. In 1992, he won the first round of the World Sportscar Championship in Monza in C1, partnering Geoff Lees.

Hitoshi Ogawa

Complete Japanese Formula 3 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Hitoshi Ogawa

Japanese Formula 3000 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Hitoshi Ogawa

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Death

Ogawa was killed in an accident on lap 27 of an All-Japan Formula 3000 race held at Suzuka in May 1992. Ogawa aimed to overtake Andrew Gilbert-Scott's car on the main straight, but the latter held his position while Ogawa moved slightly to the side. He clipped the rear left wheel and the front of his car became lodged in the rear bodywork. Both went down the straight at speed and went into the gravel trap, which was insufficient in slowing down either car. Gilbert-Scott spun, hit the tyre wall and flipped, landing upside-down. Ogawa went in nose-first, hit a mound in the gravel trap and was launched over the tyre barrier, hitting a high-fence supporting pole. Both cars were wrecked and the race was stopped immediately. As a result of the accident at least one cameraman, several photographers, and Gilbert-Scott all sustained injuries. Ogawa was freed but had suffered severe leg, head and neck injuries and was pronounced dead on the way to hospital.

References

1956 births

1992 deaths

Japanese racing drivers

Japanese Formula 3000 Championship drivers

Japanese Formula 3 Championship drivers

Racing drivers who died while racing

People from Okazaki, Aichi

Sport deaths in Japan

24 Hours of Le Mans drivers

World Sportscar Championship drivers

Long Distance Series drivers

TOM'S drivers

Japanese Sportscar Championship drivers