accident was caused by driver error. Subsequently, Shintaro Fukuzawa, Sachio's father, took legal action against Toyota, charging them with negligence and obstructing the investigation into Fukuzawa's accident, while claiming that a design flaw on the accident vehicle was the cause of the accident. After a twelve-year legal battle, the Fukuzawa family were awarded in damages in a 1981 settlement. The cause of the accident was never revealed, and the accident vehicle was never identified. Death of Minoru Kawai (9 December 1942 - 26 August 1970) joined Team Toyota for the 1968 World Challenge Fuji 200 Mile Race, and became a full-time factory driver for 1969. Following Fukuzawa's accident, Kawai was given a more prominent role within Toyota as a leading driver and spokesman for the company, and his stature within the team grew following his win in the 1969 Fuji 200 Mile Race. Kawai was testing the Toyota 7 Turbo at Suzuka Circuit on 26 August 1970, the day that Toyota formally approved plans to enter the Canadian-American Challenge Cup. As Kawai exited the second Degner Curve, his car began to wheelspin and veer out of control. At the 110R, Kawai left the track and crashed off-course, impacting a deep groove in the grass infield that sent the car airborne. Kawai was thrown from his vehicle, where he sustained massive head and leg injuries, and died instantly. Kawai's death resulted in Toyota withdrawing their plans to enter the Can-Am Series, and with the earlier cancellation of the 1970 Japan Grand Prix, development of the Toyota 7 Turbo was officially ceased in September 1970. Media The Toyota 7 Turbo (578A) appears in several installments of the Gran Turismo video game series, beginning with Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo (PSP), Gran Turismo 5, and most recently Gran Turismo 6. References External links THE YOUNG SOLDIERS and TOYOTA-7 Japan Can-Am 7 Sports prototypes Auto racing controversies