Hiromu Naruse: Toyota's Legendary Test Driver - An Extraordinary Life Defined by Triumph and Tragedy
On the 13th Anniversary of his passing, I would like to honour the memory of Hiromu Naruse, a true motorsport stalwart and a gentleman of exceptional calibre. The story of Hiromu Naruse is one of legend and tragedy, a tale that spans over half a century and has left an indelible mark on Toyota's history. Naruse, the most important test driver for the renowned automaker, dedicated his life to pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering. However, his crowning achievement would ultimately lead to a heartbreaking end. It was a damp morning on June 23, 2010, when Naruse completed yet another lap of the infamous Nürburgring in a Lexus LFA. With 47 years of experience under his belt, Naruse held the record for the most Nürburgring laps by any Japanese driver. This particular LFA, an orange Nürburgring Package variant, was the culmination of his life's work—a car designed to rival the best from Europe on their home turf. As Naruse finished the lap, a sense of visible satisfaction