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Fuji International Speedway

Started by jrosenzweig , Mar 30 2001 08:32

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14 replies to this topic

#1 jrosenzweig

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Posted 30 March 2001 - 08:32

Fuji may not be the most inspiring of circuits, but there is one part of its history i've yet to find out about. Anybody got some pics or info on the banking that was used in the 1960's? I wonder how this banking compared to Monza's banking.

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#2 BRG

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Posted 30 March 2001 - 11:07

From the ever informative www.silhouet.com :-

"The circuit was originally planned as a 2.5 mile superspeedway with a road course and 30 degree banking, but when construction was started in 1965 the money ran out before both ends of the banking could be built. The result was a 6km road course with a massively banked curve at one end. In 1974 the direction was changed to clockwise, and a new downhill right first corner was constructed to bypass the banking. When Gilles Villeneuve's Ferrari somersaulted into a prohibited are killing a marshal and spectator in 1977, the F1 circus left not to return.

Circuit changes:-
1965 - Original circuit with banking, 3.728 miles.
1975 - Banking bypassed, 2.709 miles.
1983 - 2.7067 miles.
1984 - 2.7404 miles.
1986 - Chicane built in last corner, 2.759 miles.
1993 - Second chicane built. 2.777 miles"

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#3 fines

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Posted 30 March 2001 - 19:15

I think the banking was bypassed already in 1972, possibly earlier. I should be able to come back on this one after I have finished my "Japanese lessons".

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#4 jrosenzweig

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Posted 31 March 2001 - 01:08

Thanks Fines. Does anybody have any photos of the banking? the only glimpse i've had of it is on the video "Incar 956".

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#5 Ray Bell

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Posted 31 March 2001 - 01:29

I'm fairly sure there is a pic in RCN, Jamie... yes, a poor one of Leo Geoghegan in the 59, page 60, June 71 issue...

Sorry, can't post pics at the moment...

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#6 jrosenzweig

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Posted 31 March 2001 - 08:35

np Ray, whenever you can get around to it

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#7 Falcadore

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Posted 02 April 2001 - 00:31

I've noticed in recent news items that Mount Fuji (a volcano), is becoming active again. If Mount Fuji erupts does this potentially threaten the circuit?

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#8 Bernd

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Posted 02 April 2001 - 02:14

I believe it would Mark as the circuit is on the slopes of the cone. It does depend on which way the magma breaches though.

Am I imagining it or did Toyota recently purchase Fuji along with Paul Ricard?

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#9 jrosenzweig

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Posted 02 April 2001 - 10:04

Yes yes yes, Toyota did buy Fuji and I have no idea about Paul Ricard. Maybe Fuji wasn't such a great investment after all.

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#10 david_martin

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Posted 02 April 2001 - 10:13

Originally posted by Bernd
Am I imagining it or did Toyota recently purchase Fuji along with Paul Ricard?

Toyota did buy Fuji (perhaps a bit of one-upmanship now that Honda owns both Suzuka and Motegi), but they did not buy Paul Ricard. Bernie Ecclestone bought Paul Ricard about 18 months ago. Toyota have signed some kind of lease for this year to give them exclusive use of the circuit behind closed doors, and also for them to have a permanent base there for their test programme. But they do not own Paul Ricard AFAIK.