CAR & BIKE

2026.10.03

Let's go watch the urban EV kart race! Interview with Tom's Isao Tanimoto

On September 23, the 3rd event of the All Japan Kart Championship EV Division (Round 5 & Round 6) was held at City Circuit Tokyo Bay in Aomi, Tokyo. The race was heated despite the rain, bustling with many families in the crowd, and we report on the event and the words of Isao Tanimoto from Tom's, the organizer.

Mr. Isao Tanimoto, who leads the All Japan Kart Championship EV division, what does his gaze point toward?

It's surprising to think that a full-fledged race was taking place in such a location in Tokyo. Many people may surely have that impression. Located very close to Odaiba and directly connected to the Yurikamome Aomi Station, City Circuit Tokyo Bay is a facility where you can come empty-handed and enjoy EV karts. The All Japan Kart Championship EV division will also be held here starting in 2024. It may not be widely known, but this is an astonishingly interesting real racetrack.

I spoke with Mr. Isao Tanimoto from TOM's, the organizer of the race. "Why are we holding EV kart races here?"

Mr. Isao Tanimoto, President and CEO of TOM's
Born in 1970 in Tokyo. Due to his father’s job transfer, he repeatedly changed schools until middle school. After graduating from university, he founded an IT-related business at the age of 26. Since then, he has consistently committed himself to management as an entrepreneur. He took on his current role (at TOM's) in 2018 and has shown a strong determination to devote his life to motorsports.

“Easily, closely, and in the city” to let people know about motorsports

—The All Japan Kart Championship EV division started in 2022, and from 2024, it will be held here at City Circuit Tokyo Bay. As the organizer, do you feel any kind of response?

Gumoto: "First of all, I think the fact that the number of people coming to see us continues to increase each year, and that among those attendees are clearly people who until now had no connection to motorsports, are the two significant changes."

"Does that mean it is going according to Tanimoto's plan?"

Gyamoto: "That's right. In our industry, we tend to think that motorsports have a certain level of recognition, but I actually believe it's not as well-known as we think. It's about the public's understanding of motorsports. Therefore, in order to make it more accessible, I thought we really need places where people can see and experience it. To bridge this gap, I think it would be good to have it in cities, close by, and in an easy-to-access manner."

--- I thought that in order to broaden the understanding of motorsports, it is necessary to hold events in accessible and casual locations. Today, despite the rain, many families with children have come to the event. Hosting EV races in urban areas also seems meaningful.

Gamoto: "Running with an EV instead of a cart with an engine motor is very meaningful. It allows us to hold events in the city while addressing noise issues."

The EV cart that the children will embrace also has an appealing speed.

Tom's EV Kart Racing Team's No. 37, Yokoyama Yunosuke (17 years old), achieved a great result by finishing 3rd in the final of the 5th race on this day.

Tsubaki: "Honestly, adults feel that it doesn’t really matter whether it's an engine or an EV. The key is that they think it will be fun to ride. However, the decisive difference is with children. From our experience, when we hold kids' experience sessions or schools, about 30% of the kids drop out when it’s an engine kart due to being scared of the noise or disliking the vibrations. On the other hand, very few kids drop out when it’s an EV. That's the impression we get from doing it."

What are the adults and children, seeing a race for the first time, most intrigued by?

“Taguchi: ‘The thing that surprises people the most is the speed. There are overwhelmingly many who say, ‘I didn’t expect it to be this fast.’ You can clearly see everyone’s reactions at the venue, so that’s significant.’”

――From the perspective of Mr. Tanimoto, who loves motorsports, do you think these fresh surprises and emotions are going according to plan?

Tanimoto: "Yes, that's right. We feel that motorsports are attractive, fun to ride, and enjoyable to watch, but despite that, they haven't really gained public recognition. I think the awareness outside of F1 is almost nonexistent. Therefore, in terms of getting people to know about it, I believe we are receiving the expected response."

City Circuit is expanding with its opening in Maebashi

――City Circuit Tokyo Bay is a place where you can experience EV go-karts casually, and I understand that there are plans to further expand such places.

Tanimoto: "On October 1st, a City Circuit officially named 'City Circuit ISK Gunma Maebashi Store' opened in Maebashi. We plan to open in Akita next spring. In the spring of 2028, we are planning to have one of Japan's largest City Circuits in Hiroshima, and we are also negotiating and preparing in about ten other candidate locations."

While being in Japan, a country strong in the automotive industry, there is still room for motorsports to get more exciting. It conveys a desire to spread circuits where children can touch the real thing, which is necessary for their formative experiences in order to grow significantly as a culture.

The future that Mr. Tanimoto is envisioning may be trying to create an entry point, like Little League or Koshien in Major League or professional baseball, to entrust that future to children.

Great splashes of water while speeding! Excitement in front of the race that runs right before one's eyes

The race was held in rainy conditions at the City Circuit Tokyo Bay, surrounded by buildings in Odaiba, Tokyo. The competitors are holders of JAF domestic B or higher or international F licenses (as per the regulations of the 2026 Japan Kart Championship), but their ages range from 14 to 19 years old.

The machines used were one-make races with the competition model TOM’S EV KC-22, with official specs showing an output of 25kW, a torque of 100Nm, and a maximum speed of 125km/h.

On this day, the overwhelming strength was displayed by the number 11 driver, Timofei Degtyaryov (18 years old) from KNC EV Kart Racing Team. He dominated both the 5th and 6th races held, currently ranking first in the points standings.

From the ITOCHU ENEX WECARS TEAM IMPUL, directed by Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Kazuki Hoshino, the number 19 driver, Yuto Nakai (16 years old), secured second place in the 6th race, placing him second in the points rankings.

From the PONOS NAKAJIMA RACING EV Kart Team, led by team director Satoru Nakajima, driver Daiki Tokuoka (16 years old) finished in 2nd place at the 5th round, placing him 3rd in the points standings.

The top three competitors showcased an exciting battle as they closed in on the season championship for the 7th and 8th rounds (final round).

In any case, the thrill of racing at high speed on the circuit right in front of us is exhilarating. Even though it's an EV kart, it's not silent—the sound of the motors roars, and there’s a tension as the tires grip the surface while navigating the corners. It was impressive to see not only racing enthusiasts but also children watching intently from up close.

During the breaks in the races, there were opportunities to interact with the drivers

and there was also a grid walk between qualifying and the finals, allowing fans to get closer to the athletes. Children rushed to greet Matsui Sara (15 years old), driver number 3 from the WEINS KONDO EV Kart Racing Team, led by team director Masahiko Kondo. Being able to converse with the drivers was a lot of fun.

A commemorative photo with Matsuo Shuma (15 years old), driver number 20 from ITOCHU ENEX WECARS TEAM IMPUL. The children's interest might stem from their admiration for racers closer to their age. They were enjoying not just the races, but the entire event itself.

Events that families can enjoy, such as the kids' EV cart

the first place that small children head to is the "Kids EV Cart." The maximum speed is about 15 km/h, which surprisingly goes quite fast. On this day, since it was free to experience, there was a long line from early morning (the usual charge is 2000 yen for 20 minutes. There is a height restriction for riders from 105 cm to 150 cm). Speaking of which, I feel like I haven't seen such rides at amusement parks lately.

The "Almost Coaster," where you can experience a roller coaster in VR, costs 1000 yen per ride. The high-pitched screams of children are quintessentially amusement park. Since it's indoors, they were having fun even when it was raining.

There's also an event where you can ride around the city circuit Tokyo Bay on a bicycle. For the children who got to see a real EV race, experience go-karts, enter the track, and interact with the racers, this day will surely become an unforgettable and enjoyable memory.

Until I actually came on the race day, I didn't realize it was such a fun place. If you're looking for a place to go with your child, I highly recommend this.

Finally, the championship race is here! The event will be held at the city circuit Tokyo Bay in November.

2026 AUTOBACKS All Japan Kart Championship EV Division Round 7 & Round 8
Date: November 23 (Monday, public holiday)
Location: City Circuit Tokyo Bay
1-chome 3-12 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Directly connected to Yurikamome Aomi Station
• About a 3-4 minute walk from Rinkai Line Tokyo Teleport Station (about 3 minutes from Exit A)

Additionally, City Circuit Tokyo Bay is the only kart course within the 23 wards of Tokyo that does not require a driver's license, and beginners are very welcome! It's a course where you can easily experience racing without any gear, and it usually operates as a rental kart experience facility.
Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday to Sunday: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
*Basic operations even in rain (only closed during extreme weather)
https://city-circuit.com/

You can also enjoy karting easily in Maebashi

City Circuit ISK Gunma Maebashi Store
6-3 Kiyono-cho, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture

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