The announcement was made on Friday by Toyota and his Cerumo group, for which the 48-year-old has pushed repeatedly for the reason that 1999 season.
In that point, he scored three GT500 titles in 2001, ’05 and ’13 whereas racking up 19 wins, placing him second to Tsugio Matsuda within the all-time listing, and 24 pole positions, an outright sequence document.
In a brief assertion, Tachikawa stated: “It has been with the assistance of Toyota, TCD [Toyota Customising and Development], Cerumo, [long-time team title sponsor] ZENT and Bridgestone, in addition to the assist of many family and friends, that I’ve been capable of come this far.
“I need to thanks all for respecting my emotions till the tip. My coronary heart is filled with gratitude.
“The GTA has at all times supplied an exquisite stage often known as Tremendous GT, and with the ability to compete on this stage has been a blessing for me.
“I made a decision to make this announcement in the course of the season in order that those that have been supporting me have the possibility to see my final races correctly. I’ll give it my all for the remaining races, so please assist me till the tip.”
Tachikawa scored his first GT500 title in solely his third full season, sharing a first-generation Supra with Hironori Takeuchi. 4 years later he earned a second crown, this time paired with ex-System 1 racer Toranosuke Takagi.
In 2011, he was joined at Cerumo by Kohei Hirate, and the duo would declare the ultimate title for the Lexus SC430 two years later.
Tachikawa paired up with present Cerumo team-mate Hiroaki Ishiura in 2015, however the pair have struggled for kind for the reason that swap to the GR Supra in 2020, scoring solely two podiums in that point. Their final win got here at Fuji in 2019.
Toyota Gazoo Racing President Tomoya Takahashi added: “Tachikawa has been racing as a Cerumo GT500 driver since 1999, and has given us some sensible outcomes, equivalent to his three championship titles.
“As well as, he has been concerned within the growth of successive GT500 vehicles just like the Supra, SC430 and LC500 for a very long time, and has at all times contributed to creating vehicles which can be able to combating for victory.
“I feel it has been difficult to proceed representing Toyota as a driver and to assist Toyota’s motorsport actions, so I’ve nothing however gratitude to your distinguished service.
“I additionally need to specific my heartfelt because of the household that has supported and labored arduous alongside Tachikawa. Thanks for being concerned in GT500 for such a very long time. That stated, the season isn’t over, so let’s preserve pushing collectively till the tip.”
Exterior of Tremendous GT, Tachikawa was a daily presence in System Nippon (now Tremendous System) from 1997 to 2009, and additionally made a single look within the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2008, driving for Dome.
He has served as group director for the Inging Tremendous System group, which is run collectively by Cerumo, since 2011.
Tachikawa’s announcement comes simply days after he examined the 2024 model of the Toyota GR Supra on this week’s shakedown take a look at at Okayama. Friday’s assertion made no point out of any future roles at Cerumo or Toyota.
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