Okayama International Circuit (JAPAN)
Rd. 2, 21 - 22 May 2011
| Width: 12-15m |
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| Length: 3,703m |
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Longest Straight
600m: Main Straight
700m: Back Straight |
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| Course Record |
| GT500 |
1'22.404 |
Michael Krumm / MOTUL PITWORK Z |
(2004-04-03 / 2004 Round1) |
| GT300 |
1'29.019 |
Tetsuya Yamano / M-TEC NSX |
(2004-04-03 / 2004 Round1) |
Circuit Profile
Formerly known as the TI Circuit Aida, the 3.7km (2.301mile) circuit in the southern part of Honshu Island was originally built in the early 1990s as a private race track. Located in Mimasaka in Okayama Prefecture, the circuit began hosting bigger events in the mid 1990s including two seasons in the Formula One championship in 1994 and 1995. Both events were won by Michael Schumacher during his stint with the Benetton team.
With Suzuka hosting the other round, Japan was one of only five countries to have ever hosted more than one Formula One event in the same year. Unfortunately, the circuit ceased hosting large events primarily due to its remote location.
In 2003, the circuit underwent a change of ownership which saw the circuit renamed to the Okayama International Circuit.
Despite not hosting large international level events, the Okayama International Circuit continues to be a regular fixture in the hugely popular Super GT Series as well as the Formula Nippon and All Japan Formula 3 championships.
In 2008, the circuit made its international return when it hosted a round of the Formula V6 Asia series and the World Touring Car Championship. The latter was the first FIA world championship race the circuit has hosted since 1995.