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Takeshi Kimura (racing driver)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Japanese racing driver. For the screenwriter, see Takeshi Kimura.
Takeshi Kimura
Kimura in 2024
NationalityJapan Japanese
Born (1970-10-22) 22 October 1970 (age 55)
Matsudo, Japan
Racing licence FIA Bronze
Championship titles
2022
2018-19		GT World Challenge Asia
Asian Le Mans Series - GT

Takeshi Kimura (木村 武史, Kimura Takeshi; born 22 October 1970 in Matsudo) is a Japanese racing driver who is set to compete in the 2026 European Le Mans Series for Kessel Racing. He is an Asian Le Mans Series class champion and also won 2022 GT World Challenge Asia overall.[1][2]

Kimura founded Ruf Co., Ltd. in 2001 and still serves as its CEO as of 2026.[3]

In February 2015, Kimura founded CarGuy Racing and also launched SeaGuy in 2024.[4][5]

Career

[edit]
Kimura's CarGuy-branded Ferrari at the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans
Kimura driving a Lexus for Akkodis ASP at the 2024 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
Kimura driving for Kessel Racing at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans

Kimura made his car racing debut in 2015, racing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, scoring a lone AM class win at Kuala Lumpur and ending the year fifth in points.[6] After racing part-time in Lamborghin Super Trofeo Asia and Super Taikyu the following year,[7][8] Kimura began expanding CarGuy Racing's operations in 2017 as he made select starts in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, Super Taikyu and Blancpain GT Series Asia.[9][10]

The following year, Kimura and CarGuy Racing made their debut in Super GT, scoring a best result of 15th at Okayama on debut.[11] During 2018, Kimura also competed in select rounds of the Blancpain GT Series Asia for the same team.[12] At the end of the year, Kimura raced in the GT class of the 2018–19 Asian Le Mans Series,[13] winning all four races to secure the title.[14] After making a one-off appearance in Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia and finishing fifth in the LMGTE Am class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019,[15] Kimura and CarGuy Racing returned to the Asian Le Mans Series for the 2019–20 season.[16] In his sophomore year in the series, Kimura won at The Bend and finished second at Sepang to end the year runner-up in points.[17]

In 2020, Kimura made starts in the GT300 class of Super GT for X Works,[18] as well as an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for MR Racing.[19] The following year, Kimura returned to the GT class of the Asian Le Mans Series,[20] scoring a lone win at Abu Dhabi and ending the season sixth in points.[21] For the rest of the year, Kimura competed in select appearances in Super GT's GT300 class for Pacific/CarGuy Racing, taking a best result of ninth at Autopolis,[22] as well as racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Super Taikyu.[23]

The following year, Kimura competed in a dual campaign in both the LMGTE class of the European Le Mans Series,[24] and the newly-relaunched GT World Challenge Asia.[25] In ELMS, Kimura scored third-place finishes at Monza and Algarve to end the year sixth in points despite missing one round.[26] In GTWC Asia, Kimura won at Suzuka and Fuji and took four more podiums to secure the overall and Pro-am titles.[27] During 2022, Kimura also raced in select rounds of Super GT in the GT300 class for Pacific CarGuy Racing,[28] as well as making a one-off appearance in the FIA World Endurance Championship at Fuji for Team Project 1.[29] Continuing with Kessel Racing for 2023, Kimura drove with them for a dual campaign in the LMGTE Am class of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the LMGTE class of the European Le Mans Series.[30][31] In the former, Kimura scored podiums at Sebring and Fuji to end the year seventh in the class standings.[32] In the latter, Kimura scored his maiden series win at Aragón en route to a fourth-place points finish.[33] During 2023, Kimura also raced for CarGuy Racing in both the Asian Le Mans Series,[34] and in select rounds of GT World Challenge Asia.[35]

Switching to Akkodis ASP Team for his second full-time season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Kimura scored a best result of eighth at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to end the year a lowly 27th in the LMGT3 standings.[36] In parallel to his WEC campaign, Kimura also continued with Kessel Racing to competed in the European Le Mans Series,[37] a season in which he won at Spa and Mugello to secure runner-up honors in LMGT3.[38][39] At the start of 2025, Kimura competed in the final two rounds of the 2024–25 Asian Le Mans Series for CarGuy Racing, scoring a best result of sixth at Abu Dhabi to end the winter 20th in points.[40] Returning to the European Le Mans Series with Kessel Racing for 2025,[41] Kimura scored two podiums with a best result of second at Barcelona en route to a fifth-place finish.[42]

Racing record

[edit]

Racing career summary

[edit]
Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2015 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia - Am 9 1 0 0 6 10 5th
2016 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Super Taikyu - ST-X DirectionRacing 1 0 0 0 1 15.5‡ 11th‡
2017 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia CarGuy Racing 4 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Blancpain GT Series Asia - GT3 Pro-Am 2 0 0 0 0 12 19th
Super Taikyu - ST-X 4 0 0 0 0 32‡ 8th‡
2018 Super GT Series - GT300 CarGuy Racing 6 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Blancpain GT Series Asia - GT3 Pro-Am 4 0 0 0 1 25 20th
Suzuka 10 Hours 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 23rd
Super Taikyu - ST-X 1 0 0 0 0 7‡ 10th‡
2018-19 Asian Le Mans Series - GT CarGuy Racing 4 4 1 0 4 101 1st
2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia - Am CarGuy Racing 2 0 1 2 1 30 6th
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMGTE Am 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 5th
2019-20 Asian Le Mans Series - GT CarGuy Racing 4 1 1 0 2 64 2nd
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am MR Racing 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2020 Super GT - GT300 X Works 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2021 Asian Le Mans Series - GT Car Guy Racing 4 1 0 0 1 31.5 6th
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMGTE Am 1 0 0 0 0 N/A DNF
Super Taikyu - ST-X 1 0 0 0 0 23‡ 7th‡
Super Taikyu - ST-Z Comet Racing 1 0 0 0 0 1‡ 16th‡
Super GT - GT300 Pacific - Car Guy Racing 5 0 0 0 0 2 27th
2022 European Le Mans Series - LMGTE Car Guy Racing by Kessel Racing 5 0 0 0 2 52 6th
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am Team Project 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 25th
GT World Challenge Asia CarGuy Racing 8 2 4 7 6 126 1st
Super GT - GT300 Pacific Car Guy Racing 6 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2023 Asian Le Mans Series - GT Car Guy Racing 4 0 0 0 0 1 19th
GT World Challenge Asia – Pro-Am 6 0 0 0 0 18 30th
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am Kessel Racing 7 0 0 0 2 58 7th
European Le Mans Series - LMGTE 6 1 0 2 1 65 4th
2024 FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGT3 Akkodis ASP Team 8 0 0 0 0 8 27th
European Le Mans Series - LMGT3 Kessel Racing 6 2 0 2 2 74 2nd
2024-25 Asian Le Mans Series - GT CarGuy Racing 4 0 0 0 0 9 20th
2025 European Le Mans Series - LMGT3 Kessel Racing 6 0 0 0 2 53 5th
24 Hours of Le Mans – LMGT3 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 8th
Ligier European Series - JS P4 Pegasus Racing 2 0 0 0 0 0 24th
2026 European Le Mans Series – LMGT3 Kessel Racing
Sources:[43][44]

‡ Team standings

Complete GT World Challenge Asia results

[edit]

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

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 DC Pts
2017 Car Guy Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Pro-Am SEP
1 		SEP
2 		BUR
1 		BUR
2 		SUZ
1
8 		SUZ
2
6 		FUJ
1 		FUJ
2 		SHA
1 		SHA
2 		ZHE
1 		ZHE
2 		19th 12
2018 Car Guy Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Pro-Am SEP
1 		SEP
2 		BUR
1 		BUR
2 		SUZ
1
6 		SUZ
2
3 		FUJ
1
11 		FUJ
2
9 		SHA
1 		SHA
2 		ZHE
1 		ZHE
2 		20th 25
2019 CarGuy Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 Am SEP
1
 SEP
2
 CHA
1
 CHA
2
 SUZ
1
 SUZ
2
 FUJ
1
2 		FUJ
2
4 		KOR
1
 KOR
2
 SHA
1
 SHA
2
 6th 30
2022 Car Guy Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 Pro-Am SEP
1 		SEP
2 		SUZ
1
1 		SUZ
2
5 		FUJ
1
1 		FUJ
2
3 		SUG
1
2 		SUG
2
3 		OKA
1
2 		OKA
2
12 		2nd 153
2023 Car Guy Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Pro-Am BUR
1 		BUR
2 		FUJ
1
12 		FUJ
2
9 		SUZ
1 		SUZ
2 		MOT
1
7 		MOT
2
24 		OKA
1
6 		OKA
2
16 		SEP
1 		SEP
2 		30th 18

Complete Super GT results

[edit]

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

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DC Pts
2018 Car Guy Racing Honda NSX GT3 GT300 OKA
15 		FUJ
26 		SUZ
21 		CHA
 FUJ
17 		SUG
 AUT
Ret 		MOT
23 		NC 0
2020 X Works Audi R8 LMS EVO GT300 FUJ
 FUJ
 SUZ
24 		MOT
27 		FUJ
 SUZ
 MOT
 FUJ
 NC 0
2021 Pacific - Car Guy Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO 2020 GT300 OKA
23 		FUJ1
25 		SUZ
 MOT1
 SUG
15 		AUT
9 		MOT2
 FUJ2
13 		27th 2
2022 Pacific Car Guy Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO 2020 GT300 OKA
 FUJ
23 		SUZ
17 		FUJ
12 		SUZ
 SUG
Ret 		AUT
13 		MOT
15 		NC 0

Complete Asian Le Mans Series results

[edit]

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

Year Team Class Car Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pos. Points
2018–19 Car Guy Racing GT Ferrari 488 GT3 Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 SHA
1 		FUJ
1 		CHA
1 		SEP
1 		1st 101
2019–20 Car Guy Racing GT Ferrari 488 GT3 Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 SHA
5 		BEN
1 		CHA
5 		SEP
2 		2nd 64
2021 Car Guy Racing GT Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 DUB
1
9 		DUB
2
8 		ABU
1
13 		ABU
2
1 		6th 31.5
2023 Car Guy Racing GT Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 DUB
1
14 		DUB
2
Ret 		ABU
1
10 		ABU
2
14 		19th 1
2024–25 CarGuy Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3 Ferrari F163 3.0 L Turbo V6 SEP
1
 SEP
2
 DUB
1
11 		DUB
2
11 		ABU
1
Ret 		ABU
2
6 		20th 9

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

[edit]

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

Year Entrant Class Car Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rank Points
2019-20 MR Racing LMGTE Am Ferrari 488 GTE Evo Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 SIL
 FUJ
 SHA
 BHR
 COA
 SPA LMS
Ret 		BHR NC 0
2022 Team Project 1 LMGTE Am Porsche 911 RSR-19 Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6 SEB
 SPA
 LMS
 MNZ
 FUJ
8 		BHR
 25th 4
2023 Kessel Racing LMGTE Am Ferrari 488 GTE Evo Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 SEB
3 		PRT
10 		SPA
8 		LMS
Ret 		MNZ
Ret 		FUJ
3 		BHR
5 		7th 58
2024 Akkodis ASP Team LMGT3 Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 QAT
16 		IMO
15 		SPA
14 		LMS
8 		SÃO
11 		COA
11 		FUJ
12 		BHR
Ret 		27th 8

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

[edit]
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2019 Japan Car Guy Racing Japan Kei Cozzolino
France Côme Ledogar 		Ferrari 488 GTE GTE
Am 		332 35th 5th
2020 Japan MR Racing Monaco Vincent Abril
Japan Kei Cozzolino 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		172 DNF DNF
2021 Switzerland Kessel Racing Australia Scott Andrews
Denmark Mikkel Jensen 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		128 DNF DNF
2022 Switzerland Kessel Racing Denmark Mikkel Jensen
Denmark Frederik Schandorff 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		336 45th 12th
2023 Switzerland Kessel Racing United States Scott Huffaker
Brazil Daniel Serra 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		254 DNF DNF
2024 France Akkodis ASP Team United Kingdom Jack Hawksworth
France Esteban Masson 		Lexus RC F GT3 LMGT3 279 37th 10th
2025 Switzerland Kessel Racing Brazil Daniel Serra
United Kingdom Casper Stevenson 		Ferrari 296 GT3 LMGT3 339 40th 8th
Source:[45][46]

Complete European Le Mans Series results

[edit]

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

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rank Points
2022 Car Guy Racing by Kessel Racing LMGTE Ferrari 488 GTE Evo Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 LEC
5 		IMO
DSQ 		MNZ
3 		CAT
4 		SPA
 ALG
3 		6th 52
2023 Kessel Racing LMGTE Ferrari 488 GTE Evo Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 BAR
7 		LEC
4 		ARA
1 		SPA
5 		POR
4 		ALG
12 		4th 65
2024 Kessel Racing LMGT3 Ferrari 296 GT3 Ferrari F163 3.0 L Turbo V6 CAT
9 		LEC
Ret 		IMO
4 		SPA
1 		MUG
1 		ALG
5 		2nd 74
2025 Kessel Racing LMGT3 Ferrari 296 GT3 Ferrari F163CE 3.0 L Turbo V6 CAT
2 		LEC
9 		IMO
Ret 		SPA
3 		SIL
4 		ALG
7 		5th 53
Source:[43]

* Season still in progress.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Asian Le Mans Series - the 2018-2019 season winners". 24h-lemans.com. Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Race 2: D'station scores perfect victory but it's Kimura and Cozzolino's title in dramatic Okayama finale". gt-world-challenge-asia.com. 2022-09-25. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  3. ^ "ABOUT US 経営理念/代表メッセージ". ruf.jp. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  4. ^ "CARGUYとは・・・車が持つ全く新しい世界観の創出・・・ それはまさに・・・「圧倒的な程、圧倒的なもの・・・」". carguy.jp. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  5. ^ "CARGUY Racingの木村武史が海へ進出。『SeaGuy』を立ち上げレクサスLY650の進水式を行う". as-web.jp. 2024-06-03. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  6. ^ "「ランボルギーニが激走！」マレーシア・クアラルンプールで初の公道レース！". autoc-one.jp (in Japanese). 12 August 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  7. ^ "スーパー耐久シリーズ 2016 Championship Point Standing" (PDF). supertaikyu.com. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  8. ^ "スーパー耐久 2016 岡山 レース結果". CarGuy (in Japanese). 2016-10-22. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  9. ^ "Super Taikyu Fuji Super TEC Preview". dailysportscar.com. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  10. ^ "CarGuy Racing、ブランパンGTシリーズ・アジアの鈴鹿／富士戦に参戦決定". as-web.jp (in Japanese). 13 May 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  11. ^ "CarGuy Racing Enters Super GT With Honda NSX GT3". dailysportscar.com. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  12. ^ "ブランパンGTアジア日本連戦にCarGuy Racingが参戦。2017年ウイニングカーのウラカンGT3投入". as-web.jp (in Japanese). 31 May 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Calado Joins Car Guy Ferrari Effort For Asian Le Mans Series". Dailysportscar. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  14. ^ "Di Resta, Hanson Clinch Title as Algarve Pro Wins 4H Sepang". sportscar365.com. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  15. ^ "ル・マン24時間：カーガイが殊勲のクラス5位獲得。「これ以上ないくらい頑張った」努力が涙に結実". as-web.jp (in Japanese). 19 June 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  16. ^ "ACE1 Villorba Corse Confirm 2019-20 Asian Le Mans Series Programme". dailysportscar.com. Dailysportscar. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  17. ^ "G-Drive Takes Dramatic 4H The Bend Win". sportscar365.com. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  18. ^ "Heikki Kovalainen Returns To Japan For Super GT Round 3 At Suzuka". www.dailysportscar.com. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  19. ^ "Car Guy Set To Race At Le Mans". dailysportscar.com. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  20. ^ Goodwin, Graham (6 January 2021). "Kessel Racing Adds Two Ferraris To Asian Le Mans Season Entry". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  21. ^ "G-Drive Crew Clinches Title as JOTA Wins Abu Dhabi Finale". sportscar365.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  22. ^ "Pacific Racing and CarGuy Partner Up For 2021 GT300 Entry". dailysportscar.com. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  23. ^ "COMET RACING 2021スーパー耐久シリーズ第1戦もてぎ レースレポート". as-web.jp. 2021-03-04. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  24. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (5 April 2022). "Jensen, Schandorff Complete Kessel Carguy Lineup". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  25. ^ "D'Station, ABSSA and CarGuy first to confirm Japan Cup entries". gt-world-challenge-europe.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  26. ^ "Prema, Cool Racing & Racing Team Turkey Win Race & Championship Doubles, Iron Dames Crush The Field In GTE". dailysportscar.com. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  27. ^ "接触相手との再戦を"WEC富士で盗んだワザ"で制した木村武史。カーガイ、望外のアジア王座に歓喜／GTWC岡山". as-web.jp (in Japanese). 25 September 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  28. ^ "Ferrari maintains SUPER GT presence with Pacific CarGuy". motorsport.com. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  29. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2022-09-07). "Kimura Replaces Iribe in Team Project 1 Lineup for Fuji". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  30. ^ "An official Ferrari driver with Kessel Racing in WEC". endurance-info.com. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  31. ^ Goodwin, Graham (6 February 2023). "European Le Mans Series Confirm 42 Car Full Season Entry". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  32. ^ "宮田莉朋直伝のマル秘テクで3位表彰台獲得の木村武史「佐藤社長と抱き合ったのは一生の思い出」". as-web.jp (in Japanese). 14 September 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  33. ^ "佐藤万璃音が初優勝、木村武史がGTEクラスを制す。アラゴンは日本人歓喜の週末に／ELMS第3戦". as-web.jp (in Japanese). 27 August 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  34. ^ Goodwin, Graham (7 February 2023). "Asian Le Mans Series Confirm Full Entry With Most Drivers Named". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  35. ^ Goodwin, Graham (25 November 2022). "Car Guy's 2023 Plans Confirmed". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  36. ^ "Akkodis ASP Team presents their two FIA WEC crews". Endurance-Info. 13 December 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  37. ^ Mercier, Laurent (6 March 2024). "ELMS - GR Racing et Kessel Racing au complet". Endurance-Info (in French). Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  38. ^ "AO by TF Wins Incident-Filled 4H Spa". sportscar365.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  39. ^ "ELMS Mugello: Iron Lynx-Proton Secures First LMP2 Victory at 4 Hours of Mugello". gt-report.com. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  40. ^ Euwema, Davey (19 November 2024). "Blattner Switches to Ferrari as Part of Kessel GT3 Lineup". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  41. ^ Goodwin, Graham (3 December 2024). "Record 44 Car Grid for 2025 European Le Mans Series Revealed". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  42. ^ "AF Corse Beats Genesis-Backed IDEC ORECA To Victory With Last-Gasp Pass". dailysportscar.com. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  43. ^ a b "Takeshi Kimura Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  44. ^ "Takeshi Kimura | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  45. ^ "Pilote des 24 heures du Mans: Takeshi Kimura". 24h-en-piste.com (in French). Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  46. ^ "Takeshi Kimura". 24h-lemans.com. Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
[edit]
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