Mooncraft to Dissolve into Toray Carbon Magic: End of an Era in Japanese Motorsport
Date: April 1, 2026
Japanese racing car manufacturer Mooncraft will cease operations as an independent entity, merging into its parent company, Toray Carbon Magic (TCM), effective April 1, 2026. This transition marks a significant chapter in the history of one of Japan’s most storied motorsport constructors, known for its innovative designs and competitive successes.
Founded in 1975 by Takuya Yura, Mooncraft initially made its mark by constructing bodies for chassis in the Fuji Grand Champion Race series. The introduction of the Shiden 77 in 1977 set the stage for future developments; despite its lack of commercial success, it represented a critical step for the brand.
The Mooncraft Special (MCS), launched in 1979 using components from the successful March 74S, won the 1980 Fuji Grand Champion title, leading a series of victories that would dominate the championship until its closure in 1989. The company also gained prominence in sports car racing through collaborations with Mazdaspeed, highlighted by the Mazda 717C, which achieved a Group C Junior class victory at the 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Over the years, Mooncraft evolved, producing cars like the MCS Guppy and later achieving notable success in the All Japan Formula 3000 Championship with Aguri Suzuki. From 1997 to 2004, Mooncraft contributed to Honda’s GT500 program in the All Japan GT Championship, which later became the SUPER GT series.
The launch of the Shiden MC/RT-16 in 2006 positioned Mooncraft as a key player in GT300, securing the Teams’ Championship title in 2007. Following this, the company adapted to the GT300 Mother Chassis platform with the mid-engine Lotus Evora MC, winning in 2020 and 2021 before its retirement.
Acquired by TCM in November 2018, Mooncraft continued its engineering legacy, developing the FIA F4 Japanese Championship car, the MCS4-24. The existing facility will continue operations as the “Toray Carbon Magic Gotemba Base,” with Yura planning to establish a new venture in partnership with TCM.
This consolidation signifies the end of an influential era in Japanese motorsport history, marking the conclusion of Mooncraft’s independent contributions that resonated both nationally and internationally.
