Okayama International Circuit
.png) | |
| Location | Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT +9 |
| Major events |
Super GT MFJ Superbike Super Taikyu WTCC (former) F1 Pacific Grand Prix (former) |
| Length | 3.703 km (2.300 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Lap record | 1:14.023 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton B194, 1994) |
| Kabushiki gaisha | |
| Founded | Aida (part of Mimasaka), Okayama Prefecture, Japan (August 13, 1988) |
| Headquarters | Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan |
| Parent | Aska Corporation[1] |
Okayama International Circuit (岡山国際サーキット), named TI Circuit Aida (TIサーキット英田) until December 31, 2004, is a 2.301-mile (3.7 km) private motorsport race track in Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. TI was the abbreviation of "Tanaka International" after the name of the golf club owner, Hajime Tanaka, though the name of the circuit was officially "TI Circuit Aida".
As well as hosting racing events, the circuit has rental facilities including bikes and go-carts available.
History
The course was opened in 1990 as a private race track for the wealthy.[2] Soon, it hosted its first race, staged by veteran British drivers.
In 1994 and 1995, the TI Circuit hosted the Formula One Pacific Grand Prix; both events were won by Michael Schumacher in his early title-winning years. This race made Japan one of only seven countries to ever host more than one Formula One event in the same year. It was discontinued primarily due to its location in a remote area of Japan.
In March 2003, "Tanaka International Company", parent company of "TI Circuit Company", applied for Civil Rehabilitation Law. After the application, Unimat Holding Co., Ltd. announced that it would support TI Circuit Company. The owner of the circuit was renamed Okayama International Circuit Co., Ltd. on May 1, 2004, and the name of the circuit was renamed "Okayama International Circuit" on January 1, 2005.
On October 26, 2008, the circuit hosted a round of the Formula V6 Asia and FIA World Touring Car Championship. The WTCC race was the first world championship FIA race since 1995. However, it was announced on June 21, 2010 that Suzuka Circuit would host the Japan round of the 2011 WTCC season instead of the Okayama International Circuit.[3]
References
- ↑ 株式会社岡山国際サーキットの株式取得（子会社化）についてのお知らせ [We resolved on the acquiation of whole stock in Okayama International Circuit Co., Ltd.] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Aska Corporation. March 12, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ↑ "Course guide" (in Japanese). Okayama International Circuit website. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ↑ "FIA WTCC TO RACE AT SUZUKA IN 2011". fiawtcc.com. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Okayama International Circuit. |
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Coordinates: 34°54′54″N 134°13′16″E / 34.91500°N 134.22111°E