Sayonara Katayama:
by Matt Bishop.
F1 Racing, December 1997 issue.

Remember the nodding dogs people used to affix to the parcel shelves of their cherished Mark II Cortinas? I do, and I've
been reminded of them every time I've spotted the number 20 Minardi trundling into view this season. Formula 1 drivers are known for having necks of steel, the better to keep their heads steady under the fierce lateral g-forces caused by hard cornering. All except Ukyo Katayama, that is. From Montreal to Monza, from Hockenheim to Jerez, Ukyo's head was bobbed about like a drunken wallaby; at the wheel of a racing car, he simply cannot keep still. But that's all in the past, for Katayama has hung up is hovering helmet for good. From now on, he'll concentrate on his second love: mountain climbing.

Why mountains? Why not a cup of cocoa and a Catherine Cookson? The answer is simple: Ukyo was never that quick, but he was always very brave. Just listen: "Picture I give you is Mont Blanc (note to reader: Ukyo gave a pic of himself to Matt, shown in the magazine, and in the photo he is on top of mountain) last year. Weather no good. I enjoy. Many people die". Right. I see. So you're not worried about danger then, Ukyo. "No, no. I start with Mont Blanc and Matterhorn. Easy. Now I want more altitude. I'm doing Mount Fuji. Some say Fuji easy - but only easy in summer. In winter, is very hard. So windy. Wind blow snow away and leave only ice. You can slip 2000 metres before hit something. Many die in Fuji. I enjoy".

Right. So does the danger add to the thrill then? And is F1 like that too? "No, no. Completely different. Both easy to die, though". Well, that's what I meant.....What do you think about when you're on top of a mountain then, Ukyo? "When I climb Mont Blanc, I get culture shock. Thin air. No oxygen. I feel drunk. Ayrton Senna say he see Jesus Christ when he win championship first time. Well, I never see Jesus Christ on Mont Blanc, but I feel I am Jesus Christ. Sorry to Jesus Christ for to say that, but I am a Buddhist. Mountain make me more understand I am small in nature".

Any plans to tackle real altitude, Ukyo? What about Everest? "Yes. One day. But Kilimanjaro next. Then Andes. Both very easy. Too easy. Just to learn about altitude. Then, if I still alive, I try all mountains over 8000 metres. Everest, K2, many others". What about the easy life, Ukyo? "Why? I climb mountains to get back confidence. If I get it back, I come back to F1. I stop F1 for lack of confidence, but I want get it back on mountains".
He's nodding again; it must be true.

--End of Article--

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