Twin Ring Motegi
Address: |
|
|
Motegi , Japan | ||
Route type: | permanent race track | |
---|---|---|
Owner: | Honda | |
Operator: | Mobilityland Corporation, Ltd. | |
Building-costs: | 5 billion yen | |
Opening: | August 1997 | |
Speedway oval | ||
Egg-shaped oval | ||
Route data | ||
Route length: | 2.5 km (1.55 mi ) | |
Curves: | 4th | |
Curve superelevation: | 10 ° | |
Audience capacity: | 68,156 | |
Records | ||
Course record: (Indy Japan) |
0: 26.425 min. (Tony Kanaan, Mo Nunn Racing Reynard Honda, 2002) |
|
Street course | ||
Route data | ||
Route length: | 4.8 km (2.98 mi ) | |
Curves: | 14th | |
Records | ||
Track record: (automobile) |
1: 38.3918 min. (Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, 2011) |
|
Track record: (motorcycle) |
1: 45.350 min. ( Jorge Lorenzo , Yamaha YZR-M1 , 2014 ) |
|
http://www.twinring.jp |
Coordinates: 36 ° 32 ′ 1 ″ N , 140 ° 13 ′ 39 ″ E
The Twin Ring Motegi is a modern racing circuit in Motegi , Japan . The name Twin ( . English for twin ) derives from it that the track of two separate round trips is: A 2.4 km long oval track and a 4.8-km-long road course.
The circuit was built in 1997 by the Honda group, who tried to bring the Champ Car racing series to Japan in order to expand their know-how in this area.
The oval
The oval is the only racetrack of its kind in Japan and was only used once a year between 1998 and 2010 for a race of the Indy or Champ Cars . Because of the egg-shaped track layout with different angles of inclination and curve radii and the fact that the last race before the Indianapolis 500 was held between 2003 and 2006, the track and its date were viewed by all teams as an ideal test run. In 1998, a NASCAR series was also held there.
Despite the home advantage of the Honda company, which also uses the oval as a test track, it was unable to record a win there in the first six years. It wasn't until 2004 that Dan Wheldon achieved success for Honda.
The oval was so badly damaged by the Tōhoku earthquake in 2011 that the last IndyCar race for the time being was held on the street circuit in September 2011. For economic reasons, no more IndyCar races will be held for the time being.
Winner IndyCars / Champ Cars
The street course
The street course is 4.8 km long and shares the pit lane and the main grandstand with the oval. It is therefore not possible to run races in parallel on both courses, even if the courses are completely independent of each other. In addition, both courses are used in opposite directions. The street course is driven clockwise and the oval counterclockwise.
The street course is a modern but conventional race track with eleven curves and - by Japanese standards - a relatively flat height profile. The course can be used in three different versions using connectors: as a complete course and in two short versions. The short versions are mainly used for junior classes such as Formula 4 or FJ1600 .
There are considerably more racing events on this course than on the oval. The Formula Nippon was previously twice as a guest, the Super GT - and super Taikyu vehicles once each. There are also other local events almost every weekend.
In addition to car races , motorcycle races are also very popular and, in addition to an annual race for the Japanese Grand Prix for the motorcycle world championship , various national motorcycle races such as the All Japan Road Race Championship are held here.
All top class winners in the motorcycle world championship
year | winner | motorcycle | tires | time | Route length | Round | Ø pace | date | GP of |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Kenny Roberts Jr. | Suzuki | 51: 54.386 min | 4.801 km | 25th | 138.740 km / h | April 25 | Japan | |
2004 | Makoto Tamada | Honda | 43: 43.220 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 158.129 km / h | September 19th | ||
2005 | Loris Capirossi | Ducati | 43: 30.499 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 158.899 km / h | September 18 | ||
2006 | Loris Capirossi | Ducati | 43: 13.585 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 159.936 km / h | September 24th | ||
2007 | Loris Capirossi | Ducati | B. | 47: 05.484 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 146.806 km / h | September 23rd | |
2008 | Valentino Rossi | Yamaha | B. | 43: 09.599 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 160.182 km / h | September 28th | |
2009 | Jorge Lorenzo | Yamaha | B. | 43: 47.238 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 157.887 km / h | 26th of April | |
2010 | Casey Stoner | Ducati | B. | 43: 12.266 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 160.017 km / h | October 3 | |
2011 | Dani Pedrosa | Honda | B. | 42: 47.481 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 161.562 km / h | October 2nd | |
2012 | Dani Pedrosa | Honda | B. | 42: 31.569 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 162.569 km / h | October 14th | |
2013 | Jorge Lorenzo | Yamaha | B. | 42: 34.291 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 162.396 km / h | October 27 | |
2014 | Jorge Lorenzo | Yamaha | B. | 42: 21.259 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 163.229 km / h | October 12th | |
2015 | Dani Pedrosa | Honda | B. | 46: 50.767 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 147.578 km / h | October 11th | |
2016 | Marc Marquez | Honda | M. | 42: 34.610 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 162.376 km / h | October, 16th | |
2017 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | M. | 47: 14.236 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 146.356 km / h | 15th October | |
2018 | Marc Marquez | Honda | M. | 42: 36.438 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 162,200 km / h | October 21 | |
2019 | Marc Marquez | Honda | M. | 42: 41.492 min | 4.801 km | 24 | 161.900 km / h | the 20th of October |
Record winner drivers: Loris Capirossi , Jorge Lorenzo , Marc Márquez , Dani Pedrosa (3 each)
Record winner constructors: Honda (7)
Record winner nations: Spain (9)
Other equipment
In addition to the main routes and the divisible road course, there is also a sprint route (1/4 mile) for acceleration races and a trial route .
Outside of the races, the main attraction is the Honda Collection Hall , where all types of historic Honda vehicles can be viewed, as well as a technology and training center.
Special features of the racetrack
The Twin Ring Motegi was the first racetrack ever to combine both types - oval and street course - without having to compromise on the track layout. However, this partially restricts the view of the route for the spectators. Other points of criticism are the poor connection of the racetrack to the motorway and railway network and the insufficient number of overnight accommodations near the racetrack.
Trivia
The racetrack has gained additional popularity primarily through the Gran Turismo simulation series and has also been available for download for Forza Motorsport 2 since 2007 . In the successors, Forza Motorsport 3 and 4 , the track is also included. Motegi has been available as paid content in the iracing simulation since 2014 . The street course has also been available in RaceRoom since July 2018 .
Web links
- Official website (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Steam: RaceRoom has been updated! steamcommunity.com, accessed July 11, 2018.