2009 Super GT Series
Autopolis Circuit (オートポリス)
Kyushu 300km
Rd 8, 17 - 18 October 2009

Circuit Profile
Located within the Aso Kujiyu National Park near the Kamitsue village in the Ōita Prefecture,on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, the Autopolis circuit (オートポリス) officially opened its doors in 1990 hosting several domestic and international-level motorsports events throughout the calendar year. Despite housing exceptional facilities, the circuit itself has never hosted a Formula One race. 

The circuit's history is as colourful as its original owner, the real-estate developer and investment banker Tomonori Tsurumaki, who made international headlines after he successfully bid for a Pablo Picasso painting to a tune of over $51million at a Paris auction all from his hotel room in Tokyo.

Designed by the former project leader of the Honda F1 Team during the 1960s, Yoshitoshi Sakurai, the circuit is quite a challenging track and is most known for the vast fluctuations in elevation that ranges from 50m between its highest inclined slope. The two sections are connected by a downwatd slope and an uphill climb. In addition, the low atmospheric pressure by virtue of being in an upland area of the island adds to the circuit's reputation.

Of all the races that have been held at the circuit, the most notable international race was the 1991 World Sportscar Championship season finale, which was won by Michael Schumacher and Karl Wendlinger in a Mercedes Benz C291 by Sauber.

In its unsuccessful bid to host an F1 race, Tsurumaki sponsored the Benetton Formula One team for two seasons in 1990 and 1991. But this did not detract criticism that the track was in too remote a location. Not long after, Tsurumaki's company collapsed and he was forced into bankruptcy in 1993. As a result the circuit fell into financially difficult times and has changed hands several times before being bought over by Kawasaki in 2005.

In spite of this, the circuit continues to operate and is host to Japan's largest motorsport events, including the D1 Grand Prix, Super GT Series, Formula Nippon and All-Japan F3 championships as well as the All-Japan road race championship.

Past Super GT Winners