Race Against Dementia Charity Event in Tokyo Raises Over 10 Million Yen for Dementia Research
The Race Against Dementia Charity Luncheon, held on April 2, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, proved to be an incredible success, uniting motorsport enthusiasts, philanthropists, and key figures to raise vital funds for dementia research. With more than 10 million yen collected through auctions, raffles, and donations, the event was a powerful demonstration of the racing community’s commitment to making a difference.
A Moving Tribute and Distinguished Guests
Guest of Honor Mark Stewart, Chairman of the Trustees of Race Against Dementia, delivered an emotional speech reflecting on his mother’s battle with the disease, underlining the urgency of accelerating research efforts. Among the notable attendees was Lady Dewi Sukarno, accompanied by esteemed friends in support of the cause, as well as tech entrepreneur Horie-san, a well-known F1 enthusiast and supporter of Yuki Tsunoda.
Auction & Raffle Highlights
The fundraising efforts reached new heights, with 350,000 yen raised from raffle ticket sales alone. A standout moment came when a former Ferrari Japan employee won the highly coveted Ferrari team cap, signed by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—an unexpected and fitting recipient with strong ties to the brand.
A nine-day luxury cruise package, one of the premier raffle prizes, was awarded to a close friend of Lady Dewi Sukarno, who was visibly moved by the win. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Able and Partners successfully bid on two VIP paddock passes, granting exclusive access to the McLaren and Racing Bulls garages, along with a personal meet-and-greet with Isack Hadjar. In a surprise gesture, Alpine F1 reserve driver and Toyota Gazoo Racing Associate Ryo Hirakawa, who attended the event as guest of honor, offered to personally tour the winner through Alpine’s facilities. As Hirakawa is set to drive in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, this added an extra layer of excitement to the prize.
Paul Tange of Tange Associates also made headlines when he secured one of only two FIA Safety Car race suits from FIA’s 120th anniversary limited edition collection. When interviewed by Shiga Sports, he jokingly remarked, “I’ve known Bernd Mayländer for years, but he really needs to take better care of his work clothes,” humorously referring to the authentic race-worn suit—which had, of course, been professionally cleaned before donation.
Exclusive Collectibles and Unforgettable Wins
Guests walked away with remarkable prizes, including the highly sought-after 2025 Pirelli Calendar. One of the most thrilling moments came when an early Yuki Tsunoda supporter won a signed Red Bull cap—an exceptionally rare item, as Tsunoda has yet to make his first race appearance with the team, making it a true collector’s gem courtesy of Red Bull Racing.
>>Read Auction and Raffles Details
A United Effort for a Meaningful Cause
The event’s success was made possible by the generous contributions of Honda Racing, Honda Mobilityland, MSC Cruises, Pirelli, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and all ten Formula 1 teams. Additional support came from sporting legends such as David Beckham and Kimi Räikkönen, who have shown their commitment to Race Against Dementia’s mission. Their collective generosity ensures that critical funding will continue to support groundbreaking research into faster treatments and potential cures for dementia.
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For more information about Race Against Dementia, visit www.raceagainstdementia.com.
