Midori Moriwaki: “When I lead the racing team, my emphasis is on respect”

Hi Midori, thanks a lot for joining us to chat about your experiences with our community! Let me first introduce you: Midori Moriwaki is the Team Principal of the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team and today, she’s sharing her journey and what’s led to her fantastic career.

Let’s kick things off with the first question: could you share your early introduction to Motorsports and explain why you chose to turn it into a career, particularly if your family background played any role in your decisions? Can you provide some insights on that?

It’s a long story! But I’ll try to make it short and simple. My family has a rich history in both motorcycle and automotive racing, spanning three generations. My grandfather, Pops Yoshimura, is a well-known figure in the motorsports community, having founded Yoshimura. And presently, my uncle serves as the president of Yoshimura, carrying forward the legacy.

Also, my father, Mamoru Moriwaki, has a history as both a racing driver and rider for Yoshimura. 

So, when my parents got married, they established the Moriwaki company. I’m part of the third generation, and collectively, the Yoshimura Moriwaki family has been involved in motorsports for over 70 years.

Growing up in this racing family was quite unique. Both the Yoshimura and Moriwaki families have backgrounds in engineering. As a child, I witnessed Yoshimura and Moriwaki engineers collaborating and competing on racetracks. Even in our hometown of Suzuka, if there wasn’t a competition or a GP race, everyone would be working in the Moriwaki workshop.

So, my childhood was filled with the sounds of engines running. Although it might seem noisy to others, for me, it was like being surrounded by toys.

I have two older sisters and one younger brother, but I was always the tomboy. I wanted to learn about and be involved in the racing world and go to the circuit with my dad, who was particularly passionate about the technical aspects and engine tuning. At a young age, maybe when I was five or six years old, my dad would take me to different corners of the Suzuka track and ask me why I thought a bike was fast. These experiences sparked my interest in engineering. Despite my sisters choosing more conventional high schools, I opted for an engineering technical high school to delve deeper into the subject. After high school, I gained international experience, working with Suzuki teams in Australia and America. This journey allowed me to further explore my passion for engineering. I was building engines, crafting exhaust pipes, and providing technical services for Moriwaki, taking on various roles within the company.

In the late 1990s, I participated in the Bol d’Or 24 Hours Race and the Le Mans 24 Hours Race as technical service for Moriwaki Engineering. During this time, I helped and supported many teams.

When I was in the US, I had the opportunity to work with many American Racing teams, with AMA and manufacturers. I also worked in Australia, in Australian Superbike races. Upon returning, I joined my parents’ company, dedicating 21 years to Moriwaki. In my role, I led the MotoGP Moriwaki teams, overseeing the creation of complete bikes with Honda RCV 211 V engines for MotoGP. I also managed projects such as Moto2 and the Moriwaki Junior Cup, with a 250 four-stroke bike. Them I also managed for ten years the Moriwaki Cup in 12 different countries, providing support to young and aspiring riders. It was a bit of a wild ride, but immensely rewarding!

This is truly incredible! It seems like you’ve lived multiple lifetimes with all these amazing experiences. Your journey is not just inspiring for women and girls in our community who aspire to pursue careers in engineering and motorsports, but it also serves as an excellent example of the remarkable heights one can reach. Now, shifting to a specific experience – the Suzuka 8 Hours. Could you delve a bit deeper into how you prepare for such championships? Are there any specific strategies you implement at the beginning of a championship or race?

Absolutely, Suzuka is a unique race. It’s a part of the EWC (Endurance World Championship), which includes races like Le Mans 24 hours and Spa 24 hours. Suzuka 8 Hours, though shorter than some EWC races, is special because it attracts exceptional bikes and riders.

When Moriwaki Racing enters this race, my approach is to set my own target, aligning it with Moriwaki Racing’s overall objective. Currently, as I lead the World Superbike and Supersport teams, each project has its specific target. For the 8 hours race, our primary goal is to build a factory bike. While it may sound straightforward, making it happen is challenging, especially considering the uncertainties.

Immediately after the race finishes, usually on a Sunday we have a meeting and we do a debriefing on Monday. We analyze what went wrong and strategize for the next year. By the next day, I’ve already decided the target for the following year. If there are engineering gaps, we identify the parts that need improvement, whether it’s engine components or chassis parts. After the race, which normally takes place at the end of July, we start planning and testing in August, progressing through the winter months. By December, we prepare for the upcoming year, assigning responsibilities to the team.

During our meetings, I emphasize open communication. Understanding each team member’s character and communication style is crucial. Some may express themselves easily, while others may be more reserved. In my position as a leader, my role is to bridge these gaps and foster good teamwork, understanding what they want to say. Communication is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.

 

Now, what about an all-female team – how do you build and manage one? 

Back in 2014 and 2015, when I created a four-hours endurance team, my approach remained consistent regardless of gender. Building a team involves considering various factors, and I keep the same structure, but women do face certain differences. For example, we can’t change clothes in front of a group of men—it’s just one example. So, it’s crucial to acknowledge the differences, especially for women. Unfortunately, we all know that discrimination still exists, and female riders, in particular, are sensitive to these challenges.

When I bring women into my team, I take the time to have long conversations to know about their backgrounds, motivations for joining the team, and how I can help them. Establishing a heart-to-heart synergy is crucial, given the unique difficulties female riders face on the racetrack. It’s not just about racing; it’s about making them feel a sense of solidarity: it’s crucial for them to feel that they’re not alone.
When you are on the racetrack, you might feel alone, but returning to the pit box there is Midori or the team there to offer protection. This makes them feel stronger. For example, when they do  a lap at Suzuka’s, the West and East courses have different structures and  the bike setting is very tricky. So, when they return from a lap, maybe after taking a tricky corner that tends to unsettle more for women and cause arm-pump than men due to physical differences, I engage with the crew chief. We discuss how to manage these challenges since the physical aspects vary between females and males. The main focus is on controlling the situation to prevent a loss of confidence as a rider.

When I lead the racing team, my emphasis is on respect. They are facing immense difficulties so I guide them to identify the areas where their talents shine, emphasizing improvement in those aspects. As they progress to the next lap, I provide specific guidance, not just saying, “do it like this,” but breaking down the strategies for improvement. Importantly, this communication extends beyond just the riders; I communicate with the entire team. The collective goal is to safeguard the riders, and that’s why this approach is crucial.

Yes, this is definitely a challenging task, and it holds immense importance. With just a few minutes left, let’s delve into the topic of women in motorsports. You were part of the FIM Women in Motorcycling Commission, and I’d like to discuss what we can do to encourage more women to participate in motorsports as athletes and professionals, much like yourself. Also, how can the industry better support diversity and inclusion?

Firstly, regarding the FIM Women Commission, it was my past involvement and currently, I’m part of the FIM CCR (Circuit Racing) Commission, but I continue working with the Women Commission. Now, to address your excellent question, over the last two to three years, I’ve received numerous calls from individuals, both men and women, wanting to work in motorsport. They often express their struggles and ask how they can achieve success similar to mine.

My message is simple and applies to everyone, not just women: if you believe in yourself, you can do it. Despite knowing that our field is not easy to break into, having passion and love in your heart makes you strong. You’ve already decided to step into this challenging world, and that decision alone means you can achieve it. In life, you’ll face obstacles, difficulties, and criticism, but your strong heart will guide you through.

If you ever feel like giving up, it’s okay to take a break. Relax, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, soak in the sun, savor good food, and spend time with family. When you feel reenergized, come back and face the challenges again. I want to convey the message that once you’ve made the decision, you can shape your destiny. 

People like you are an inspiration – because looking at your results you can think “someone has already done it, and I can too”! Midori, thank you for your time and what you’ve shared. Your insights have been truly inspiring, and I hope the positive message resonates. Wishing you all the best for the new year and the upcoming season. We’ll be following your results and your team closely. 

Thank you so much, Lisa. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. Bye!

ph. courtesy Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team