106 replies to this topic

[The July Plot]

I know the circuit is futher south than the worst effected areas, but has there been any information on how/if the track has been effected by yesterdays disaster?

[phil1993]

I think its fine. The only track I'm aware of in the area worst hit is Sugo.

[Captain Tightpants]

Considering that there are serious fears that the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant could experience a full nuclear meltdown, I don't think the state of Suzuka is high on anyone's list of priorities. If and when the situation stabilises along the coast, then we'll start getting reports about the condition of Suzuka. But right now, I doubt anyone is hurrying to see if the circuit is still intact.

[The July Plot]

Considering that there are serious fears that the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant could experience a full nuclear meltdown, I don't think the state of Suzuka is high on anyone's list of priorities. If and when the situation stabilises along the coast, then we'll start getting reports about the condition of Suzuka. But right now, I doubt anyone is hurrying to see if the circuit is still intact.

This is a racing forum, therefore I am asking avout racing.

[PNSD]

Considering that there are serious fears that the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant could experience a full nuclear meltdown, I don't think the state of Suzuka is high on anyone's list of priorities. If and when the situation stabilises along the coast, then we'll start getting reports about the condition of Suzuka. But right now, I doubt anyone is hurrying to see if the circuit is still intact.

Those 'fears' are being overstated by the media. The situation is said to be well under control regarding a possible meltdown...

[Captain Tightpants]

This is a racing forum, therefore I am asking avout racing.

I'm aware of that. My point is that racing is probably the last thing on anyone's mind in Japan right now. What do you think is more important: making sure that a racing circuit outside the affected area is still in one piece for a race that will not happen for another six months, or stabilising a nuclear power plant to prevent damaged nuclear fuel rods from melting down through the reactor core and contaminating the surrounding area with enough radiation to make Chernobyl look like a picnic?

[Slowinfastout]

Strictly speaking, can't help much with the topic... but overall I've been impressed with the calm and the dignity expressed by whatever I've seen from the Japanese people, who have been enduring this tragedy, living through it, etc

A very humbling experience.

Can't imagine the panic if the same happened here... we're just more ridiculous, I think..

In unrelated news, Suzuka is fine.

[Captain Tightpants]

Those 'fears' are being overstated by the media. The situation is said to be well under control regarding a possible meltdown...

Oh, hey, well, in that case, how about we just let the nuclear power plant stabilise itself? You know what those reactor cores are like, always acting like a temperamental two-year-old after being bounced around by an earthquake. It's cool. It's not like a critical incident would result in a large area of the country being contaminated with lethal levels of radiation for generations to come. I'm sure all this talk of a nuclear meltdown is just propaganda by Japan's anti-nuclear lobby group trying to scare the country into using alternate sources of fuel.

[/sarcasm]

Your situation is so well under control that the roof of the reactor building collapsed four hours ago and people living in the region are being told to stay indoors, avoid eating fresh fruit and using air conditions and to cover their faces with wet cloths while stocks of iodine are being amassed.

Until such time as as Fukushima No. 1 is under complete control, Suzuka should be the last thing on anyone's mind. Even if the delay means the circuit is destroyed.

[puxanando]

the situation is becoming worse from minute to minute. Speaking yet from a 'super-GAU'. Suzuka &the GP is the last in wht I'm thinking haering all this very, very bads notices!

[krapmeister]

Christ... people are only asking on a motorsport forum if anyone has heard how Suzuka fared. No need for the attitude. If you don't know just say so...

[Captain Tightpants]

Christ... people are only asking on a motorsport forum if anyone has heard how Suzuka fared. No need for the attitude. If you don't know just say so...

They're only asking on a motorsport forum, but the way they're asking when there are bigger issues at hand makes it seem like they only care about the circuit and the race going ahead. It's like the protests in Bahrain: as soon as the race was cancelled, everyone stopped caring about what was going on. I saw someone asking today why parts that may have been sent to Sakhir would not be getting back to Europe until just now when the race was cancelled weeks ago. Well, that's because the protests kept going well after the race was cancelled.

Right now, there's a hell of a lot of stuff going on in Japan. Fukushima No. 1 is in danger of a meltdown and the surrounding areas have been evacuated. Four passenger trains remain completely unaccounted for. Hundreds of bodies were found on a beach near Sendai. The death toll is expected to surpass one thousand. Buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Phone and internet services have been cut, and the list goes on. Right now, I doubt there are too many people in Japan who are worried about what is happening with Suzuka. So it seems a little cold and in poor taste for people to be asking after it like it's the most important issue at the moment.

[schuey100]

Wow, you're one unhappy camper aren't you? Blimey. Wobble your head mate, take a deep breath and relax.

[krapmeister]

Just because they are asking after Suzuka doesn't mean they don't give a damn about what is happening in the rest of Japan.

You need to loosen your pants dude...

[FA and RK fan]

They're only asking on a motorsport forum, but the way they're asking when there are bigger issues at hand makes it seem like they only care about the circuit and the race going ahead. It's like the protests in Bahrain: as soon as the race was cancelled, everyone stopped caring about what was going on. I saw someone asking today why parts that may have been sent to Sakhir would not be getting back to Europe until just now when the race was cancelled weeks ago. Well, that's because the protests kept going well after the race was cancelled.

Right now, there's a hell of a lot of stuff going on in Japan. Fukushima No. 1 is in danger of a meltdown and the surrounding areas have been evacuated. Four passenger trains remain completely unaccounted for. Hundreds of bodies were found on a beach near Sendai. The death toll is expected to surpass one thousand. Buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Phone and internet services have been cut, and the list goes on. Right now, I doubt there are too many people in Japan who are worried about what is happening with Suzuka. So it seems a little cold and in poor taste for people to be asking after it like it's the most important issue at the moment.

+1

I can't believe there are so many ignorants at this place.

[Brandz07]

Just because they are asking after Suzuka doesn't mean they don't give a damn about what is happening in the rest of Japan.

You need to loosen your pants dude...

The same happened during kubica's accident and asking about new drivers, chill guys I'm hoping the best for Japan but as this is a racing forum I do want to know about suzuka and anything racing related in japan.. it's not a crime and not me being ignorant..

Edited by Brandz07, 12 March 2011 - 11:29.

[ImDDAA]

They're only asking on a motorsport forum, but the way they're asking when there are bigger issues at hand makes it seem like they only care about the circuit and the race going ahead. It's like the protests in Bahrain: as soon as the race was cancelled, everyone stopped caring about what was going on. I saw someone asking today why parts that may have been sent to Sakhir would not be getting back to Europe until just now when the race was cancelled weeks ago. Well, that's because the protests kept going well after the race was cancelled.

Right now, there's a hell of a lot of stuff going on in Japan. Fukushima No. 1 is in danger of a meltdown and the surrounding areas have been evacuated. Four passenger trains remain completely unaccounted for. Hundreds of bodies were found on a beach near Sendai. The death toll is expected to surpass one thousand. Buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Phone and internet services have been cut, and the list goes on. Right now, I doubt there are too many people in Japan who are worried about what is happening with Suzuka. So it seems a little cold and in poor taste for people to be asking after it like it's the most important issue at the moment.

Thing is, F1 is a really decadent sport - while these overpaid sports stars race around in their million pound cars on their million pound saleries there are war torn countries, ravaged by violence, nations of people without access to basic things like good quality drinking water, sanitation systems and health infrastructure - there are children starving to death in the thousands, dying from disease and malnourishment and other horrible things. So I suggest you completely stop talking about F1, racing, sports, culture, food and anything outside of the suffering of people, commit the rest of your life to solving these problems and leave the internet forever.

On racing forums people talk about racing related topics, if you find it offensive then avoid it perhaps.

[SimMaker]

Suzuka is some 450-500 Miles away from quake center. Suzuka is also some 150-200ft above sea level. No chance of the Tsunami reaching it, and very slim chance of it suffering major quake damage from yesterdays event.

[Captain Tightpants]

On racing forums people talk about racing related topics, if you find it offensive then avoid it perhaps.

I get that people want to know whether Suzuka is in a raceable condition. But given that the country is still in turmoil, the least they could do is wait until the situation stabilises before asking. Because right now, asking whether the circuit is okay feels a little bit like asking how much inheritance you will receive ten minutes after a family member died.

[IMOA]

The same happened during kubica's accident and asking about new drivers, chill guys I'm hoping the best for Japan but as this is a racing forum I do want to know about suzuka and anything racing related in japan.. it's not a crime and not me being ignorant..

Suzuka is more than 1000km from the epicentre, its fine.

[Brandz07]

Suzuka is more than 1000km from the epicentre, its fine.

thanks

[Jazza]

Suzuka is much more than just an F1 track, so it is not like the management would not have inspected the track by now to see if their property is still in one peace. I'm sure the Prime Minister of Japan has more important things to worry about, but the track staff will be examining things.

The idea that an earthquake on the other side of the country is going to cause a company to not check their main attraction is naive. The track would by now have already been inspected, irrespective of what tragedies are happening on the other side of the nation.

Anyway, there is more chance of Motegi being damaged than Suzuka, and the bike race is little over a month away.

Edited by Jazza, 12 March 2011 - 12:29.

[WhiteBlue]

I get that people want to know whether Suzuka is in a raceable condition. But given that the country is still in turmoil, the least they could do is wait until the situation stabilises before asking. Because right now, asking whether the circuit is okay feels a little bit like asking how much inheritance you will receive ten minutes after a family member died.

Is it your job to censor the discussions here? I think it is perfectly natural for F1 fans to ask themselves how the disaster will possibly affect the Japanese GP 2011. The answer was given that it will probably have no effect at all as Japan will have gone back to normal by then and there is no real likelihood of serious damage to the race infra structure.

There is a thread btw about the quake in the paddock club forum.

[Longtimefan]

I'm quite saddened that after such a huge tragedy and loss of life, some people seem to care more about missing a race.

[ImDDAA]

I'm quite saddened that after such a huge tragedy and loss of life, some people seem to care more about missing a race.

If you talk about lunch today you care more about sandwhiches than you do about human suffering. Silly logic.

[F1 Tor.]

I personally would never start a thread asking about Suzuka at this sensitive time, but I don't think The July Plot was trying to be insensitive. It was a racing question on a racing forum. However, I think sometimes people have to step back and ask themselves if now is the best time to be asking a particular question or is it something that can wait. It's so fresh and raw for most, which is the reason you're getting these strong responses to a simple yes/no question.

[Jazza]

I'm quite saddened that after such a huge tragedy and loss of life, some people seem to care more about missing a race.

On the Japanese Grad Prix weekend, from the Friday the cars start, till the end of Sunday when the cars stop, about 10,000 Japanese people die. Yet the race goes on and we all watch it.

No one is denying that this is a tragedy. But in the minute it took you type that post, about another 100 people in the world died... yet you still bothered to type something.

Getting on with ones life doesn't mean your not acknowledging the loss of someones else's life.

[Risil]

Actually I imagine the people working at the Sugo, Motegi and affected circuits will be concerned about whether they'll have a job to go back to after the tsunami.

As a motorsport forum I think we have a special interest in the welfare and livelihoods of people who put the show on.

[Gemini]

I get that people want to know whether Suzuka is in a raceable condition. But given that the country is still in turmoil, the least they could do is wait until the situation stabilises before asking. Because right now, asking whether the circuit is okay feels a little bit like asking how much inheritance you will receive ten minutes after a family member died.

chill out

There's Paddock Club non-motorsport forum on this Bulletin Board when current situation in Japan is discussed, I am sure. This section is about racing. So nothing wrong with asking about track. I agree it's least important in Japan now. As much as all we discuss here is least important in comparison with what is going on on this planet. But this is a place for such least importance topics

[Bbbut]

Sugō is in Sendai (a Formula Nippon round), but not on the coast.

I think, the most likely F1 circuit to be effected would be Korea as it is nearly sea level, but I don't know if the tsunami went this far.

[Jazza]

I think, the most likely F1 circuit to be effected would be Korea as it is nearly sea level, but I don't know if the tsunami went this far.

Japan blocked it. The earthquake was on the east of the Island, while Korea is on the west.

[noikeee]

Suzuka is some 450-500 Miles away from quake center. Suzuka is also some 150-200ft above sea level. No chance of the Tsunami reaching it, and very slim chance of it suffering major quake damage from yesterdays event.

And that should end all questions about Suzuka.

More concerning, motorsport-wise (no need for any more lectures on how it is irrelevant compared to thousands of deaths and possible nuclear chaos, we already are aware of that), is what happens to the circuits in the affected area. And which circuits are in the affected area, people are already mentioning Sugo and Motegi here, the last of which hosts major international events. Is Aida/Okayama in the area? I know back in the 90s a catastrophic earthquake forced the F1 race there to be postponed for several months, so I'm wondering about it.

[Jazza]

And that should end all questions about Suzuka.

More concerning, motorsport-wise (no need for any more lectures on how it is irrelevant compared to thousands of deaths and possible nuclear chaos, we already are aware of that), is what happens to the circuits in the affected area. And which circuits are in the affected area, people are already mentioning Sugo and Motegi here, the last of which hosts major international events. Is Aida/Okayama in the area? I know back in the 90s a catastrophic earthquake forced the F1 race there to be postponed for several months, so I'm wondering about it.

Aida is even further away from the quake than Suzuka.

[noikeee]

Ok, thanks. I should've checked a map before posting.

[RC127]

I get that people want to know whether Suzuka is in a raceable condition. But given that the country is still in turmoil, the least they could do is wait until the situation stabilises before asking. Because right now, asking whether the circuit is okay feels a little bit like asking how much inheritance you will receive ten minutes after a family member died.

Well said, Captain.

I too wondered how Sukuka fared, but would never have created a thread on this topic as it is clearly "too soon" to be thinking aloud (or flat out asking) about this, when there is a unspeakable tragedy occurring to the country. In my opinion.

I just made a donation to the Red Cross appeal (seems DEC - Disasters and Emergencies Committee - won't be putting an appeal together as they primarily help third world or developing countries who experience national disasters, not developed Western countries such as Japan) If you want to donate, here's the linky:

http://www.redcross....-Tsunami-Appeal

[mechadaniel]

But right now, I doubt anyone is hurrying to see if the circuit is still intact.

The people who work there will be, and so will the surrounding businesses that depend on the track.

I spent 9 years leaving in Japan, and was there at the time of the Great Hanshin earthquake (6.5k dead). Earthquakes are part of everyday life there, and so when it happens they deal with it. The International hand wringing at the time if anything caused major irritation in Japan, especially foreign charities turning up with food and blankets... The Japanese HATE to be thought of as victims.

The day after the Kobe earthquake, everyone in Kanto went to work as usual, students etc with free time volunteered to help out, life went on.

So yeah, good question, and the answer is probably not, but any damage to the facilities will be sorted out before the GP. It will be business as usual, why not buy a ticket and go, the Japanese will be delighted to see you:)

[ImDDAA]

The people who work there will be, and so will the surrounding businesses that depend on the track.

I spent 9 years leaving in Japan, and was there at the time of the Great Hanshin earthquake (6.5k dead). Earthquakes are part of everyday life there, and so when it happens they deal with it. The International hand wringing at the time if anything caused major irritation in Japan, especially foreign charities turning up with food and blankets... The Japanese HATE to be thought of as victims.

The day after the Kobe earthquake, everyone in Kanto went to work as usual, students etc with free time volunteered to help out, life went on.

So yeah, good question, and the answer is probably not, but any damage to the facilities will be sorted out before the GP. It will be business as usual, why not buy a ticket and go, the Japanese will be delighted to see you:)

Are you buying? Cause I definitely want a piece of that action. I won't fly lower than Business class though so make sure you get the right plane tickets.

[Risil]

The day after the Kobe earthquake, everyone in Kanto went to work as usual, students etc with free time volunteered to help out, life went on.

The Kobe earthquake seriously damaged Dunlop's competition tyre facilities. Basically ensured the Yamaha 500GP team wouldn't have a supply of their own tyres until a good way through the season, when eventually they won races. But the 1995 season was ruined, from a competitive point of view. Times like that you realise that motor sport is connected to the real world, after all.

Absolutely true about Japan's victim status, as well. They have the third-biggest economy in the world; they'll be able to take care of themselves. Western aid will go where it's needed, to the outlying island countries who don't have the industry or capital or infrastructure to repair themselves.

[mechadaniel]

The Kobe earthquake seriously damaged Dunlop's competition tyre facilities. Basically ensured the Yamaha 500GP team wouldn't have a supply of their own tyres until a good way through the season, when eventually they won races. But the 1995 season was ruined, from a competitive point of view. Times like that you realise that motor sport is connected to the real world, after all.

Yeah, I remember going in to Dog Fight Racing to find out about stocks of GPR70's - eek!

[One]

Suzuka, Fuji bothe are south/west of Tokyo. This shaking happened the north/east of Tokyo, so there should be no direct damage it the track. Even so, the situation there is sevier including food shortage and power supplies, which could develop into other problems.

[Fondmetal]

I'm aware of that. My point is that racing is probably the last thing on anyone's mind in Japan right now. What do you think is more important: making sure that a racing circuit outside the affected area is still in one piece for a race that will not happen for another six months, or stabilising a nuclear power plant to prevent damaged nuclear fuel rods from melting down through the reactor core and contaminating the surrounding area with enough radiation to make Chernobyl look like a picnic?

He asked a question about Suzuka. I dont for one minute doubt he is more worried about the track than the lives and welbeing of the Japanese who were effected, any half decent human would be saddened by what we saw and the destruction that hit Japan. My thoughts and prayers are withteh family and friends of the those who died and I pray that they manage to get the situation under control.

So lets not start some kind of blame and guilt game....

[MaxisOne]

I'm quite saddened that after such a huge tragedy and loss of life, some people seem to care more about missing a race.

This may sound mean but ...

Your in the wrong forum ..


If something tragic is happening to me or my immediate environs i will deal with it ... i dont need the pity nor sorrow and i expect others to carry on about their business. While it is normal for people to send their best regards the gist of the thread and the forum is racing.

[icecream_man]

Have to say I'm with Capt. Tightpants on this one, to be worrying about a poxy F1 circuit given what's currently going on over there is in VERY poor taste imo

[Hairpin]

Have to say I'm with Capt. Tightpants on this one, to be worrying about a poxy F1 circuit given what's currently going on over there is in VERY poor taste imo

Same here. Specially considering the Japanese GP is late in the season anyway so it is not really a hot topic regardless how you see it.

[Disgrace]

This is an F1 forum, we talk F1.

I've made my feelings about the bigger picture, which is absolutely horrendous and a tragedy we'll remember for years to come, in the "real" world and elsewhere enough without having to repeat it here as my interwebs alias. It's off-topic in any case.

Uncomfortable about it? Don't even open the thread, the title tells you all you need to know.

But Suzuka seems fine and the race will probably go ahead as it is months away. F1 will have the obligation to show support like they did at the USGP in 2001, however.

[Hairpin]

Uncomfortable about it? Don't even open the thread, the title tells you all you need to know.

It does. And it makes some people, like me, uncomfortable. It tells us all we need to know - that some people does not give a **** about other people.

[krapmeister]

Have to say I'm with Capt. Tightpants on this one, to be worrying about a poxy F1 circuit given what's currently going on over there is in VERY poor taste imo

No - very poor taste wuld be people saying 'I don't give a sh!t about the people suffering from the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster, I just want to know if Suzuka is ok...' or making jokes about the disaster at the expense of the Japanese people.

Which is plainly NOT what people are saying, they are just wondering if Suzuka had suffered any damage. Quite rightly people haven't read anything about Suzuka in the mainstream press because of the seriousness of the events that have happened, but seeing as though this is a motorsport forum perhaps thought that someone may have heard about it.

Again, just because they are asking about Suzuka DOES NOT mean that they don't care for the people of Japan...

It does. And it makes some people, like me, uncomfortable. It tells us all we need to know - that some people does not give a **** about other people.

If you think just asking a pretty simple about Suzuka means that people don't care about what is happening in Japan right now, frankly I think that says more about you than 'some people'...

Edited by krapmeister, 12 March 2011 - 21:29.

[Vereint]

Have to say I'm with Capt. Tightpants on this one, to be worrying about a poxy F1 circuit given what's currently going on over there is in VERY poor taste imo

Get a grip. Its an F1 forum. People are here to talk about F1! Just because there are more important things happening, doesnt mean we can't concentrate on anything else. People know there are more important issues in Japan, but it doesnt mean we can't talk about anything else.

Disasters are happening all over the world, all of the time. We would never enjoy anything or have a good time if we forced ourselves to constantly put the most important issues happening in the world to the top of our minds all of the time.

[ClubmanGT]

My main concern with Suzuka was that if it was a busy day at the track, people might be threatened by tsunamis as I know it's vaguely near the coast. Seeing as I've learned from this thread that it's well above sea level, I'm happy someone made it.

[ryan86]

My main concern with Suzuka was that if it was a busy day at the track, people might be threatened by tsunamis as I know it's vaguely near the coast. Seeing as I've learned from this thread that it's well above sea level, I'm happy someone made it.

Indeed, it was only last year I realised who close to the sea it was. I had always imagined it was about 50 miles inland. I guess though, like Britain you're never very far from the sea.

[Pingu Pi]

Have to say I'm with Capt. Tightpants on this one, to be worrying about a poxy F1 circuit given what's currently going on over there is in VERY poor taste imo

The world does not suddenly stop ticking over because a disaster occurs, Japan is still there, people will still be going to work in that country, is that poor taste of them?

The staff of the track will have been there to check it.

and jumping on somebody who has thought of something other than the disaster is in my opinion poor taste, especially when this is an F1 forum. Jeez, get off the moral high horse.

I guess I should feel guilty for going out and having a good time last night with my friends? Do I hell.