Nobuatsu “Nobu” Aoki races the Rheos Elf-Honda NSR500 at Imola in 1997. In this race he finished second to Mick Doohan. It proved to be Aoki’s best ever 500cc Grand Prix finish. As a bonus Nobu’s younger brother Takuma finished third that day. It was the last time that brothers finished together on the podium in the premier class. Nobu went on to finish third in the final 500cc GP World Championship standings (also his best) to champ Doohan and countryman Tadayuki Okada. It was a great season for Japanese riders in GP racing. Four of the top seven riders in the series that year were from Japan. Like the Haydens in America, the Aokis were a famous racing family in Japan. Nobu was the oldest of three brothers who all raced GP. Takuma and Haruchika were Nobu’s younger brothers.

Nobuatsu “Nobu” Aoki races the Rheos Elf-Honda NSR500 at Imola in 1997. In this race he finished second to Mick Doohan. It proved to be Aoki’s best ever 500cc Grand Prix finish. (Henny Ray Abrams photo)