A guide to the Suzuka Grand Prix Circuit
The Suzuka racing track is unique in the F1 Championship line-up, to say the least. For one, it is situated right in the middle of a major theme park, which has an enormous Ferris wheel that dominates the area's skyline. It was designed in 1962 by Dutchman John Hugenholtz, primarily as a test track for Honda and its lay-out is a testament to this.
Suzuka is the only figure-of-eight racing track on the F1 calendar. Since it was built as a test track, it has a variety of corners that challenges even the most veteran of drivers. Drivers have to work with sweeping corners, fast corners, chicanes, high G-forces and a downhill start, to mention a few quirks of the circuit. Another unique feature of the track is the cross-over and equal number of left- and right-hand turns (although the new Shanghai circuit now also boasts an equal number of left- and right-hand turns).
At nearly 6km (3.7mi) in length, Suzuka is one of the longest tracks on the F1 Championship calendar. The Grand Prix race consists of 53 laps and a total distance of 310.762km (194.226mi). The circuit is among the drivers' favorites, due to the high-speed 130R, a left-hand corner, that basically catapults drivers up into the last corner of the circuit under the crossover and the famous Spoon Curve, a very long two-part sweeping right-hand corner, which makes up the bottom part of the 'eight' of the track.
Being located inside an amusement park, there is plenty of non-racing fun to be had and plenty of eating/snacking areas. Amenities are first-class and for those visiting Suzuka on a non-racing weekend, it is possible to either drive your own car or hire a car or go-kart to driver around the track, an experience not to be missed!
Besides the Japanese Grand Prix, the Suzuka racing circuit is busy all year around, not only with other motor racing events, but also for testing purposes. Other major events include: Coca-Cola 8-Hour World Endurance Championship race (motorcycle), International GT/Sportscar 1,000km race, World Cup Kart race and Japanese road racing Grand Prix (motorcycle).