Designed as a Honda test track in 1962 by John Hugenholtz, Suzuka is one of few circuits in the world to have a figure 8 layout. Obviously, due to the danger of an intersecting track, the track doesn't actually intersect with itself; instead, the back straight passes over the front section by means of an overpass.

The circuit can be used in three configurations; the full circuit, the "Suzuka East" and "Suzuka West" configuration. The "East" portion of the course consists of the pit straight to the first half of the Dunlop curve (turn 7), 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, with the pitlane located at the straight before the 130R corner.

Suzuka is one of the oldest remaining tracks of the Formula One World Championship, and so has a long history of races as venue of the Japanese Grand Prix. Its traditional role as one of the last Grands Prix of the season means numerous World Championships have been decided at the track.

Suzuka was dropped from the Formula One calendar for the 2007 and 2008 seasons in favour of the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway, after the latter underwent a transformation and redesign by circuit designer Hermann Tilke. Suzuka and Fuji were to alternate hosting the Japanese Grand Prix from 2009. However, after Fuji announced on July 2009 that it would no longer be part of the F1 calendar, Suzuka signed a deal to host the Japanese Grand Prix in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The circuit closed for a year in order for the renovation to make it F1-compliant for 2009, with the last major event held on November 18, 2007, although some annual events (for instance, the Suzuka 8 Hours and 1000km Suzuka) were still held. The track held a re-opening day on April 12, 2009.

Suzuka also hosts other motorsport events including the Suzuka 1000km endurance race. Previously a part of multiple GT racing series including the now defunct Group C class of the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, the Suzuka 1000 km as of 2006 is now a points round of the Super GT series, and is the only race of such length in that series.

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 big name manufacturers involvement, the FIM ensures that no motorcycle races clash on the date.

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Location
The Suzuka International Racing Course is located located in Ino, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan and operated by Mobilityland Corporation, the subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.


Background
Suzuka Circuit was the home of the Japanese Grand Prix from 1987 to 2006, and again from 2009. It was the only figure-of-eight circuit in the championship, and is very popular with the drivers. Located next to the circuit is the Honda Safety Riding/Driving School, where thousands of car and motorcycle drivers have been trained, including many police officers and instructors throughout the world.

Directions
* from Nagoya and Tokyo
approx. 20 min. from Suzuka Interchange on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway
approx. 45 min. from Mie-Kawagoe Interchange on the Isewangan Expressway via Japan National Route 43
* from Osaka (north area), Kyoto and Otsu (via the Shin-Meishin Expressway)
from Kameyama Janction to Suzuka Interchange, Kameyama Interchange, or Kameyama Parking Area Smart Interchange (ETC) on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway.
approx. 20 min. from Suzuka Interchange
approx. 30 min. from Kameyama Interchange via Japan National Route 1
* from Osaka (south area) and Nara (via the Meihan Expressway)
approx. 30 min. from Kameyama Interchange via Japan National Route 1
approx. 30 min. from Seki Interchange via Mie Prefectural Route 144 (Suzuka-Seki Route)

By train
* from Shiroko Station on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line
15 min. by Mie Kotsu Bus
approx. 10 min. by taxi
approx. 60 min. on foot
* from Hiratacho Station on the Kintetsu Suzuka Line
approx. 10 min. by taxi
approx. 40 min. on foot
* from Suzuka Circuit Ino Station on the Ise Railway Ise Line
approx. 20 min. on foot

Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan on Google Maps