Kazuhiko “Smokey” Nagata is the Japanese tuner who attempted to reach 200 mph on Britain’s A1(M) in a gold Toyota Supra. Top Gear reports that the run took place before dawn on November 4, 1998, and reached 194 mph—not the intended 200 mph. It was an illegal and dangerous public-road run, not a record attempt to imitate.
14 quick facts about Smokey Nagata
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His name is Kazuhiko Nagata. “Smokey” is the nickname by which the Japanese tuner is widely known, according to Top Gear.
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He grew up in Hokkaido. Nagata told Top Gear that he was raised on a farm in Japan’s northernmost prefecture. He said his father’s fast driving helped spark his interest in speed.
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He bought a car as a teenager. Nagata said he bought a Mitsubishi Galant GTO when he was 15, with help from a local Toyota boss to get it running.
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He said he was expelled from school. In his account, he drove the car to school at 16, and teachers found out.
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He worked as a Toyota mechanic. Nagata said he spent four years working as a mechanic before he was fired for modifying a Celica at work.
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He later worked for Trust, associated with GReddy. He told Top Gear that his work involved mufflers and turbos while he pursued high-speed tuning.
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Top Secret started as an after-hours project. Nagata said he worked on his own projects after hours at Trust, and that “Top Secret” became the name for the work. DSPORT also identifies him as Top Secret’s founder.
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The UK trip was connected to Max Power Live. Nagata said he agreed to travel when the magazine offered to pay to send him and his car to the event.
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A Japanese video crew accompanied him. Nagata said he brought a crew from Option to film the trip.
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The run took place before dawn on November 4, 1998. Top Gear places it at about 4 a.m. on the A1(M), in rain and near-freezing conditions.
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The car was a gold, Japanese-registered Toyota Supra. Top Gear reports that it was heavily modified and rated at 1,003 bhp.
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It used a Nissan GT-R engine, not a V12. Nagata said the Supra had a Nissan RB26DETT engine because he wanted high-end power and found it easier to work on. He also described the Supra’s body and aerodynamics as suited to top speed.
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The target was 200 mph; the reported peak was 194 mph. Top Gear reports that mechanical problems included the engine running lean on one attempt and the bonnet threatening to come loose at around 190 mph on another.
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Nagata described the legal outcome in a later interview. He said he admitted to 120 mph in court and received a 10-year UK driving ban, a one-month international licence suspension, a £155 fine and £35 in court fees. These figures are his reported account in Top Gear, not independently verified court records; he said he then left for the airport.
The A1(M) run: what happened
Nagata’s 1998 British run was an attempt to reach 200 mph on a public motorway. Top Gear reports a peak of 194 mph, with rain, near-freezing weather and mechanical problems. The run was illegal and endangered the driver and other road users; it should not be treated as a model for testing a car.
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| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Road and date | A1(M), before dawn on November 4, 1998 |
| Car | Gold, Japanese-registered Toyota Supra |
| Engine | Nissan RB26DETT |
| Reported output | 1,003 bhp |
| Intended speed | 200 mph |
| Reported peak | 194 mph |
Top Gear later discusses a different, subsequent V12-powered Supra project by Nagata. That later car should not be confused with the RB26-powered Supra used for the A1(M) attempt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Who is Smokey Nagata?
Smokey Nagata is the nickname of Kazuhiko Nagata, a Japanese tuner and founder of Top Secret.
Did Smokey Nagata reach 200 mph on the A1(M)?
No. Top Gear reports that the run reached 194 mph, short of the 200 mph target.
What engine was in the Supra used for the British run?
Nagata said it used a Nissan RB26DETT engine. This was not the later Toyota Century V12-powered Supra project.
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What penalty did Nagata receive in the UK?
In his account to Top Gear, Nagata said he received a 10-year UK driving ban, a one-month international licence suspension, a £155 fine and £35 in court fees. The research for this article did not independently verify those details against court records.
Was the A1(M) run legal?
No. It was an illegal and dangerous high-speed run on a public motorway. Public roads are not appropriate places for speed testing.
Sources
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Top Gear, 2020 interview and feature on Nagata and the A1(M) attempt.
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DSPORT, identification of Nagata as Top Secret’s founder.
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