Twin Ring Motegi
Address: 120-1 Hiyama, Motegi Haga, Tochigi, 321-3597
36.533611111111140.2275Koordinaten: 36 ° 32 '1 " N, 140 ° 13' 39" E
The Twin Ring Motegi is a modern circuit in Motegi, Japan. The name Twin (English for twins ) derived from the fact that the track of two separate round courses consists of: A 2.4 -km-long oval track and a 4.8 km-long road course.
The track was built in 1997 by the Honda Group, who therefore endeavored to bring the Champ Car racing series in Japan, thereby extending its expertise in this area.
The Oval
The oval is the only track of its kind in Japan and was used between 1998 and 2010 only once per year for a race in the Indy or Champ Cars. Because of the oval track layout with different angles of inclination and curve radii and the discharge of the last race before the Indianapolis 500 between 2003 and 2006 the route and their date of all the teams was often viewed as an ideal test run. In 1998 also show a race of the NASCAR series took place there.
Despite home advantage, the company Honda, which uses the oval as a test bed, she could in the first six years recorded no victory there. It was only in 2004, Dan Wheldon succeeded success for Honda.
By the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, the oval was damaged so badly that the time being last IndyCar race was held in September 2011 on the road course. For economic reasons, no IndyCar race is more discharged after being.
Winners IndyCar / Champ Cars
The road course
The road course is 4.8 km long and shares the pit lane and the main stand with the oval. Therefore, it is not possible to perform parallel races on both courses, even if the tracks are to be completely independent. In addition, both courses be driven in opposite directions. The road course is driven in a clockwise direction and the oval counter-clockwise.
The road course is a modern but conventional race track with curves and an eleven - by Japanese standards - relatively flat height profile. The course can be used by connecting pieces in three different versions: as a complete course and in two short variants. Finding the short variants, especially for junior classes, such as the Formula 4 or FJ1600, their use.
On this course significantly more race events will take place as on the oval. The Formula Nippon had been twice to host the Super GT and Super Taikyu vehicles once each. In addition, almost every weekend more local events take place.
In addition to auto racing and motorcycle racing is very popular and so also various national motorcycle races are held here with an annual round of the MotoGP.
Other Equipment
In addition to the main lines and the divisibility of the road course in addition there are also a sprint distance ( 1/4 mile ) for drag racing as well as a trial route.
Outside of the race is the biggest attraction of the Honda Collection Hall, can be seen in the historic Honda vehicles of all kinds, as well as a technology and training center.
Special features of the circuit
The Twin Ring Motegi was the first track ever, both types - oval and road course - combined with each other, without any compromise in the track layout. However, this visibility is restricted to the route partly for the spectators. Other criticisms are poorly connected to the racetrack to the highway and railway networks, and the insufficient number of overnight accommodations near the race track.
Trivia
The track has become especially by the simulation series Gran Turismo additional notoriety and since 2007, also available as downloadable content for Forza Motorsport 2. In the successors, Forza Motorsport 3 and 4, the track is also included.