“It Felt Like I Was Really Living”: Meet Drive Silverstone Instructor Toru Nakano
30 January 2026Drive Silverstone instructors come from all corners of the motorsport world, but they share one thing in common: a lifelong passion for driving and helping others experience the thrill of the track. Few embody that journey quite like Toru Nakano, whose path from watching Formula 1 in Japan to instructing at the Home of British Motorsport is driven by dedication and a deep respect for Silverstone’s history.
The moment motorsport took hold
For Toru, everything began in 1988 with a Formula 1 broadcast on television. “The first impact was just purely watching F1 and knowing that F1 existed in the world,” he recalls. But it wasn’t until his first time in a kart that the obsession truly began.
“When I sat down in the seat and got onto the track for the first time, all the vibration, the noise, and the speed gave me such a thrill. It felt like I was really living.” Coming straight from riding a bicycle to school, the kart was the fastest thing he had ever experienced, and it changed everything.
Karting quickly became more than a hobby. Despite a limited budget, Toru progressed through the Japanese karting scene and went on to compete in the National Championship. Determined to take the next step, he saved for single-seater racing and moved into Japanese Formula Junior 1600, where he secured a race win in highly competitive circumstances.
Chasing the dream in the UK
Like many aspiring drivers, Toru knew the UK was the heart of single-seater racing. He made the bold move from Japan to Britain, racing in categories including Formula Vauxhall UK, where he finished an impressive fifth in 1996.
But the reality of motorsport soon caught up. “The competition in the UK is incredibly tough,” he explains. “Moving here with little knowledge of the culture and the language was difficult, and ultimately, I needed more money to get to where I wanted to be.”
When his racing career came to an end, Toru didn’t step away from motorsport. Instead, he found a new way to contribute.
From racer to mentor
Recognising how challenging the transition to British racing could be for young Japanese drivers, Toru became a guide and mentor, helping with interpretation, cultural understanding, and navigating the UK motorsport ladder. That role naturally evolved into driver coaching and instruction, leading him to Drive Silverstone.
Today, his experience as both a competitor and mentor shapes everything he does on track.
“You can see when a customer is nervous,” Toru says. “Over the years, I’ve learned how to understand different types of drivers and adapt my tuition so they feel comfortable and enjoy themselves.”
Helping drivers feel at home on track
Toru’s calm, intuitive approach is particularly valuable for first-time or nervous drivers. He believes there’s no single ‘right’ pace.
“It’s not a bad thing to go slow,” he explains. “If someone wants to push outside their comfort zone, I encourage them. But if they’re happy where they are and enjoying themselves, that’s what matters.”
One of the most common challenges he sees? Braking.
“On track, you need to push the brake pedal hard - brake late and hold it. That feels unnatural compared to road driving. People often focus on braking but forget about changing down gears at the same time. There’s a lot going on.”
To help, Toru encourages drivers to reset on the straights. “I always suggest taking a few deep breaths. It helps them relax, coordinate everything, and enjoy the experience more.”
A deep respect for Silverstone
Toru still vividly remembers his first visit to Silverstone. “It’s a big circuit, and a big name. I’d heard of it back in my Japan days. It was one of the first Grands Prix I ever watched.”
Now, working here every day still carries emotional weight. “As a Japanese person living in the UK and working at Silverstone, it feels like walking into a temple or a shrine. Every morning, I feel how special this place is. I never take it for granted.”
Mastering the technical challenge
When asked about his favourite part of the track, Toru points to Village and Loop on the International Circuit.
“It’s a technical section that catches people out, especially after fast corners like Abbey and Farm,” he explains. “There’s so much run-off for a reason.”
Get it right, and the reward is huge. “Village and Loop demand that everything works together - braking, steering, balance. It’s challenging, but when customers nail it, it’s immensely rewarding to see.”
Motorsport, family, and the Matrix
For Toru, one of the most special aspects of Drive Silverstone isn’t the track, it’s the people.
“My colleagues are like family. I’ve known some of them for more than 20 years. We’re all likeminded, motorsport-crazy, and completely aligned in wanting to give customers the best possible experience. That’s rare and very special.”
And one final insight most guests wouldn’t expect? “People think we’re just passengers, but we’re actually driving the car through the customer’s brain,” Toru laughs. “It’s a bit like The Matrix - we’re connected.”
Drive with Toru
Whether you’re easing onto the circuit for the first time or building confidence through Silverstone’s technical sections, Toru’s experience, empathy, and passion make him the perfect guide.
