TheSuzuka International Racing Course[5](Linh lộc quốc tế レーシングコース,Suzuka Kokusai Rēsingu Kōsu),a.k.a.“Suzuka Circuit”(Linh lộc サーキット,Suzuka Sākitto),is a 5.807 km (3.608 mi) longmotorsportrace tracklocated in Ino,Suzuka City,Mie Prefecture,Japanand operated byHonda Mobilityland,a subsidiary ofHonda Motor Co, Ltd.It has a capacity of 155,000.
Location | Suzuka,Mie Prefecture,Japan |
---|---|
Time zone | UTC+09:00 |
Coordinates | 34°50′30″N136°32′20″E/ 34.8417°N 136.5389°E |
Capacity | 155,000 |
FIA Grade | 1 |
Owner | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
Operator | Honda Mobilityland |
Opened | September 1962 |
Architect | John Hugenholtz[1][2][3][4] |
Major events | Current: Formula One Japanese Grand Prix(1987–2006, 2009–2019, 2022–present) FIM EWC Suzuka 8 Hours(1978–2019, 2022–present) GT World Challenge Asia(2017–2019, 2022–2024) Super GT(1993, 1995–present) Super Formula(1973–present) Future: Suzuka 1000 km(1966–1973, 1980–2019, 2025) Former: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix(1987–1998, 2000–2003) WTCR Race of Japan (2011–2014, 2018–2019) FIA GT(1997–1998) NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka(1996–1997) World Sportscar Championship(1989–1992) |
Website | www.suzukacircuit.jp |
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present) | |
Length | 5.807 km (3.608 miles) |
Turns | 18 |
Race lap record | 1:30.983 (Lewis Hamilton,Mercedes W10,2019,F1) |
Motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit (2004–present) | |
Length | 5.821 km (3.618 miles) |
Turns | 17 |
Race lap record | 2:04.387 (Takumi Takahashi,Honda CBR1000RR,2019,SBK) |
East Circuit (1987–present) | |
Length | 2.243 km (1.394 miles) |
Turns | 7 |
Race lap record | 0:48.245 (Toshihiro Kaneishi,Dallara F399,1999,F3) |
West Circuit (1987–present) | |
Length | 3.466 km (2.154 miles) |
Turns | 9 |
Race lap record | 0:58.396 (Toranosuke Takagi,Reynard 2KL,2000,Formula Nippon) |
Motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit (2003) | |
Length | 5.824 km (3.619 miles) |
Turns | 17 |
Race lap record | 2:04.970 (Valentino Rossi,Honda RC211V,2003,MotoGP) |
Grand Prix Circuit (2002) | |
Length | 5.821 km (3.617 miles) |
Turns | 18 |
Race lap record | 1:36.125 (Michael Schumacher,Ferrari F2002,2002,F1) |
Grand Prix Circuit (1987–2001) | |
Length | 5.860 km (3.641 miles) |
Turns | 18 |
Race lap record | 1:36.944 (Ralf Schumacher,Williams FW23,2001,F1) |
Grand Prix Circuit (1983–1986) | |
Length | 5.945 km (3.694 miles) |
Turns | 17 |
Race lap record | 1:54.400 (Stefan Johansson,March 842,1984,F2) |
Original Circuit (1962–1982) | |
Length | 6.004 km (3.728 miles) |
Turns | 17 |
Race lap record | 1:52.990 (Kazuyoshi Hoshino,March 802,1980,F2) |
Introduction
editSoichiro Hondadecided to develop a new permanent circuit in Mie prefecture in the late 1950s. Designed as aHondatest track in 1962 by DutchmanJohn "Hans" Hugenholtz,the most iconic feature of the track is its "figure eight" layout, with the 1.2 km (0.75 mi) long back straight passing over the front section by means of anoverpass.It is the onlyFIAGrade 1 licensed track to have a "figure eight" layout, after theFiorano Circuitwas downgraded to Grade 2 in 2024.
The circuit has been modified at least eight times:
In 1983 achicanewas inserted at the last curve to slow the cars into the pit straight; the original circuit was an incredibly fast track with only one slow corner; without the Casio chicane some cars would go through the final long right-hand corner flat out and then would go past the pits at more than 200 mph (320 km/h). In 1984 the first part of Spoon was made slightly slower and the corner was brought closer to the track to expand run-off area there, and in 1985 the first corner was made slightly slower.
In 1987 the circuit was brought up to F1 and Grand Prix motorcycle standards for both Japanese Grands Prix of their respective championships, the F1 Grand Prix being the first held at Suzuka. The Degner curve was made into two corners instead of one long curve, and morecrash barriers,more run-off areas were added, exposed vegetation was barricaded off and straw bales were removed (but still used for the Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix).
In 2002, the chicane was slightly modified, 130R (marked as 15 on the diagram) was also modified and some of the snake curves were made a bit straighter and faster; additionally, the runoff area at the Dunlop Curve was doubled from 12 metres to 25 metres, and the corner itself was made slightly tighter.
In 2003, the chicane was made slightly faster and closer to the 130R.[6]
Following the death ofDaijiro Katoat the2003 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix,Suzuka reconfigured the motorcycle variant of what is now known as the Hitachi Automotive Systems Chicane before the final turn, and added a second chicane, between the hairpin and 200R.[7]
The circuit can be used in five configurations; the car full circuit, the motorcycle full circuit, the "Suzuka east," "Suzuka west car," and "Suzuka west motorcycle" configurations. The "east" portion of the course consists of the pit straight to the first half of the Dunlop curve (turn seven), before leading back to the pit straight via a tight right-hander. The "west" course is made up of the other part of the full circuit, including the crossover bridge; the straight leading to the overpass is used for the start/finish line and the grid. The chicane between the hairpin and 200R separates the west and full course sections between cars and motorcycles.
The Degner curve was named in honour ofErnst Degnerafter he crashed his factory Suzuki 50 there during Suzuka's inaugural All Japan Championship Road Race meeting on 3 November 1962.
The hairpin (turn 11) was coined 'Kobayashi Corner' after Japanese driverKamui Kobayashipassed five drivers with aggressive moves at the2010 Japanese Grand Prix.[citation needed]
At the2014 Japanese Grand Prix,F1 driverJules Bianchisuffered serious injuries after colliding with a recovery vehicle, and died in hospital as a result nine months later. In the wake of the accident, theDunlopcorner was slightly changed and revised in safety standards, and the organisers of the Japanese Grand Prix installed a large crane in place of the tractor that Bianchi hit.[8]
Motorsport events
editSuzuka, openly touted by F1 drivers and fans as one of the most enjoyed, is also one of the oldest remaining tracks of theFormula OneWorld Championship, and has a long history of races as venue of theJapanese Grand Prixsince 1987.[9]Its traditional role as one of the last Grands Prix of the season means numerousworld championshipshave been decided at the track. Four years consecutively in its early history the circuit saw the world championship decided. These include the 1988 championship, which went toAyrton Senna,the controversial 1989 championship, which went toAlain Prost,and the 1990 and 1991 world championships, which both went to Senna.
Suzuka was dropped from the Formula One calendar for the2007and2008seasons in favour of theToyota-ownedFuji Speedway,after the latter underwent a transformation and redesign by circuit designerHermann Tilke.Suzuka and Fuji were to alternate hosting the Japanese Grand Prix from 2009. However, after Fuji announced in July 2009 that it would no longer be part of the F1 calendar,[10][11]Suzuka signed a deal to host the Japanese Grand Prix in2009,2010and2011.[12]
The circuit closed for a year for renovations to make it F1-compliant for 2009, with the last major event held on November 18, 2007,[13]although some annual events (for instance, theSuzuka 8 HoursandSuzuka 1000 km) were still held. The track held a re-opening day on April 12, 2009.
Suzuka also hosts other motorsport events including theSuzuka 1000 kmendurance race. Previously a part of multipleGTracing series including the now defunctgroup Cclass of theAll Japan Sports Prototype Championship,the Suzuka 1000 km as of 2006 is now a points round of theSuper GTSeries, and is the only race of such length in that series. In2010,the GT500 pole position time was 1:55.237. In2007,the GT300 pole position time was 2:06.838.
Another major motorsport event is the Suzuka 8 Hours for motorcycles, which has been run since 1978. This event usually attracts big name riders and with the exception of 2005, due to the importance of the major manufacturers' involvement, theFIMensures that no motorcycle races clash on the date.
NASCARorganized theNASCAR Thunder 100,a pair of exhibition 100-lap races on the east circuit, a 1.4 mi (2.3 km) layout which utilizes the pit straight and esses, before rejoining the main circuit near the Casio triangle. The cars wereSprint Cup SeriesandCamping World West Seriescars and the field was by invitation for the two races, run after the 1996 and 1997 seasons. The 1996 event was marred by tragedy when during practice,pace cardriverElmo Langleydied of a heart attack in theChevrolet Corvettepace car at the esses during an evaluation run. The pole position speed was 83.079 mph (133.703 km/h).[14]During qualifying for the 1997 race, rain caused Goodyear to userain tireson Winston Cup cars for the first time in the modern era.
It was announced on June 21, 2010, that the east section of the Suzuka Circuit would host the Japan round of the2011WTCCseason instead of theOkayama International Circuit.[15]At the2012event, the pole position time was 52.885 seconds, for an average speed of 94.875 mph (152.687 km/h).[16]
130R corner
editFollowing two major accidents in 2002 and 2003, one of the main issues in safety has been at the corner 130R (marked 15 in the track map above). In 2002,Toyota F1driverAllan McNishsuffered a high-speed crash through the bump, which sent him through a metal fence; he was not seriously injured.[17]
Track officials revised the 130R, redesigning it as a double-apex section, one with an 85 m (93 yd) radius, and then a second featuring a 340 m (370 yd) radius, leading to a much closer Casio triangle (chicane), with the chicane becoming a "bus stop" type for motorcycles.
However, the problem continued for the new revised section. During the2003 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan,the track's first major event since the revisions,MotoGPriderDaijiro Katowas killed when he crashed in the new section, on his way to the braking zone for the Casio triangle. MotoGP has not returned to Suzuka since the incident.
Track configurations
edit-
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1962–1982)
-
Grand Prix Circuit (1987–2002)
-
West Circuit (1987–present)
-
East Circuit (1987–present)
-
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Events
edit- Current
- March:Super Formula ChampionshipSuzuka 2 & 4 Race,MFJ Superbike,Formula Regional Japanese Championship
- April:Formula OneJapanese Grand Prix,Ferrari Challenge Japan,Porsche Carrera Cup Japan
- May:Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
- June:Super GT,Ferrari Challenge Japan,F4 Japanese Championship
- July:FIM Endurance World ChampionshipSuzuka 8 Hours,GT World Challenge Asia,Japan Cup Series
- September:Super Taikyu
- October:MFJ SuperbikeMFJ Grand Prix,TCR Japan Touring Car Series
- November:Super Formula ChampionshipJAF Suzuka Grand Prix,Super Formula Lights
- December:Super GT
- Future
- Intercontinental GT Challenge
- Suzuka 1000 km(2018–2019, 2025)
- Former
- Asia Road Racing Championship(2013–2019)
- BPR Global GT Series
- 1000km of Suzuka(1994–1996)
- F3 Asian Championship(2019)
- Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific(2012–2013, 2016, 2018, 2022)
- FIA GT Championship(1997–1998)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix(1987–1998, 2000–2003)
- IDCR(1978–2003)
- International Touring Car Championship(1996)
- Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia(2016–2019)
- NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka(1996–1997)
- World Sportscar Championship(1989–1992)
- World Touring Car Championship
- FIA WTCC Race of Japan(2011–2014)
- World Touring Car Cup
- FIA WTCR Race of Japan(2018–2019)
Lap records
editThe official lap record for the current circuit layout is 1:30.983, set byLewis Hamiltonduring the2019 Japanese Grand Prix.The unofficial all-time track record is 1:27.064, set bySebastian Vettelduring the qualifying for the aforementioned 2019 race.[18]
As of July 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Suzuka Circuit are listed as:[18][19]
In video games
editAlong withFuji Speedway,the Suzuka Circuit was one of the four tracks featured in the video gamePole Position II.The track is referred to in theNamco Museumversions of the game as the "Wonder Circuit" ( "Orange Circuit" inNamco Museum: Virtual Arcade), after Namco's "Wonder" series of amusement parks, despite its logo appearing on the starter's box since 1983.
The Suzuka Circuit is also featured in theFinal Lapseries of games which first appeared in 1987. Another Namco racing game,Suzuka 8 Hours,based on themotorcycle race of the same namewas released for arcades in 1992, followed by a port for theSuper NESin 1993. It can also be seen in arcade games and video games such asFerrari F355 Challenge,Super Monaco GP,Forzaseries,Gran Turismoseries,RaceRoom,iRacing,R: Racing Evolution,Shift 2 Unleashed,Le Mans 24 Hours,The Cycles,MotoGP 3ofPlayStation 2,MotoGP 4,Tourist Trophy,Auto Modellista,Racing Battle: C1 Grand Prix,Real Racing 3,and as the final race in Taito's racing gameContinental Circus.The east course was featured inNASCAR 98.Suzuka'sFerris wheelwas paid homage in the "Big Forest Track" inVirtua Racing.The track has been modded intoMario Kart Wii.
Project CARSandProject CARS 2have a Japanese circuit inspired by Suzuka, calledSakitto Circuit.Sakitto has numerous visual differences from the original Suzuka, including the change of position of the Ferris wheel near to Degner curves, as well as the absence of the Casio triangle and the hairpin, a very modified esses section, and a road pass through the real life location of the Ferris wheel.
Deaths
editSee also
edit- Twin Ring Motegi,another Honda-owned race track and oval, host to theFIMMotoGPJapanese Grand Prix
Notes
editReferences
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- ^"マイ・ワンダフルサーキットII đệ 5 hồi (My Wonderful Circuit II 5)".Hiroaki Iemura(in Japanese). Stinger. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-06-02.Retrieved2016-04-16.
- ^"マイ・ワンダフルサーキットII đệ 6 hồi (My Wonderful Circuit II 6)".Hiroaki Iemura(in Japanese). Stinger. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-06-02.Retrieved2016-04-16.
- ^"Japan".formula1.com.Retrieved29 June2016.
- ^"Suzuka: new chicane and 130R".etracksonline.co.uk.e-Tracks. 2 February 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 17 March 2011.Retrieved21 September2011.
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- ^"Suzuka installs larger crane for 2015".GPUpdate.net.Retrieved27 September2015.
- ^"Formula 1 - SUZUKA CIRCUIT".suzukacircuit.jp.Retrieved2018-10-13.
- ^"The Official Formula 1 Website".Formula1.com. 2007-09-08.Retrieved2012-10-06.
- ^"Fuji gives up F1 race".GPUpdate.net. 7 July 2009.Retrieved1 February2011.
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- ^Bradley, Charles, ed. (August 2007). "Suzuka to close for a year".Autosport.189(6): 11.
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- ^"FIA WTCC TO RACE AT SUZUKA IN 2011".fiawtcc.com. 2010-06-21.Retrieved2010-07-20.
- ^Mills, Peter (20 October 2012)."Alain Menu claims pole as Chevrolet seals title".Autosport.Haymarket Publications.Retrieved20 October2012.
- ^"McNish ruled out of Japanese GP: allanmcnish.com".2011-01-30. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-01-30.Retrieved2024-04-07.
- ^abcde"Suzuka Circuit Race Record".26 April 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 19 August 2023.Retrieved7 July2024.
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- ^"2024 Formula Regional Japanese Championship 2024 Round 1 Race 2 Results"(PDF).9 March 2024.Retrieved10 March2024.
- ^"2018 Super GT Round 3 Suzuka GT300 Results".20 May 2018.Retrieved13 March2021.
- ^"2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS - Race 2 - Round 8 - Classification - Final"(PDF).7 July 2024.Retrieved7 July2024.
- ^"Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Rounds 5&6 Suzuka International Circuit 28 June-1 July 2018 >> Race 1 - Sector Analysis"(PDF).1 July 2018.Retrieved2 January2023.
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- ^"2022 54th MFJ Grand Prix J-GP3 - Race Result"(PDF).6 November 2022.Retrieved20 August2023.
- ^"2018 Asia Road Racing Championship Round 3 - Suzuka International Circuit, Japan Asia Production 250cc - Race 1 Official Result"(PDF).2 June 2018.Retrieved29 October2022.
- ^"2019 Asia Road Racing Championship Round 4 - Suzuka International Circuit, Japan Underbone 150cc - Race 1 Result"(PDF).29 June 2019.Retrieved29 October2022.
- ^"1999 Suzuka Japanese F3 - Round 10".Motor Sport Magazine.14 November 1999.Retrieved20 May2022.
- ^"2004 Esso Formula Toyota Series Final Game".28 November 2004.Retrieved21 January2023.
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- ^"2001 Suzuka Japanese F3 - Round 11".Motor Sport Magazine.1 July 2001.Retrieved20 May2022.
- ^"Suzuka Super Bike 200km 2003 R2-1 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Round 4 Final Results JSB1000".25 May 2003.Retrieved20 August2023.
- ^"Suzuka Super Bike 200km 2003 R2-1 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Round 4 Final Results ST600".25 May 2003.Retrieved20 August2023.
- ^ab"Suzuka 1000 Kilometres 2002".25 August 2002.Retrieved16 May2022.
- ^ab"300 km Suzuka 2002".17 November 2002.Retrieved21 January2023.
- ^"2002 Suzuka Japanese F3 - Round 3".Motor Sport Magazine.23 March 2002.Retrieved20 May2022.
- ^"1995 Suzuka Japanese F3000".Motor Sport Magazine.18 March 1995.Retrieved20 April2022.
- ^"1996 Suzuka Formula Nippon".Motor Sport Magazine.28 April 1996.Retrieved20 April2022.
- ^"Suzuka 430 Kilometres 1991".14 April 1991.Retrieved22 April2022.
- ^ab"IV Suzuka 1000 Kms".30 August 1992.Retrieved21 January2023.
- ^abcde"Suzuka 1000 Kilometres 1993".29 August 1993.Retrieved3 May2022.
- ^"Suzuka 1000 Kilometres 1998".23 August 1998.Retrieved20 April2022.
- ^"Suzuka 200 Kilometres 1989".9 July 1989.Retrieved16 May2022.
- ^"Suzuka 1000 Kilometres 1996".25 August 1996.Retrieved20 May2022.
- ^"ITC 1996 » Suzuka Grand Prix Round 26 Results".10 November 1996.Retrieved20 May2022.
- ^"Suzuka 1000 Kilometres 1995".27 August 1995.Retrieved3 May2022.
- ^"JGTC 1997".30 March 1997.Retrieved22 April2022.
- ^"Suzuka 1000 Kilometres 2000".27 August 2000.Retrieved21 January2023.
- ^"2001 Suzuka Formula Toyota 1".26 August 2001.Retrieved21 January2023.
- ^"Suzuka 300 Kilometres 2000".22 October 2000.Retrieved21 January2023.
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External links
edit- Official website(in Japanese and English)
- Suzuka track map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
- Suzuka at the Formula 1 site
- Suzuka Circuit History and Statistics
- Suzuka Circuit on Google Maps (Current Formula 1 Tracks)
- Audio walkthrough of the track, for use with games
- BBC Sport Suzuka Circuit Guide