RACE MOTORS Europe
Official agents for the Yamato Motor Co., Ota, Japan
Yamato Factory Ota, Gunma Pref, Japan Photos by Mike Ward
The original company was established in 1951 under their former name of the Kokusai Kyouti Kougyo Co. and was renamed in 1957 as the Yamato Motor Co. It currently employs about 120 staff.
When the motor boat racing law was then introduced, they developed the first Japanese-made racing motor based on a Mercury design and have, ever since, been producing about 1,700 motor boats, propellers and engines per year for the pari-mutuel motor boat race.
Bench testing motors under load.
Model 321 motors awaiting final inspection.
The test tank facility.
About 100 motors ready for dispatch to the stadiums.
Propeller making - there are 2 of these.
Race boats are manufactured by the traditional method.
It's hard work in the polishing department.
Race boats ready for delivery - October 2025
New race boats arriving at the stadium
Race boat spraying in the paint shop.
Carburettor assembly in a climate / humidity contolled environment
The Yamato Motor Co. manufacturing plant near Ota, Gunma Prefecture, Japan has it own sports facility adjacent.
Crankshafts ready for installation.
History video of the Yamato Motor Co.