Hokkaido Speedway – Shiraoi

When was the track built?

It was opened in 1970, in his original layout, and it has hosted local races up until 1973, when it was closed due to the number of fatal crashes and financial issues.
It has been used for non-official races until its permanent closure in the 1990s.
The owner has than refurbished it and added a dirt circuit outside when in 2001 it was reopened, but again the circuit use declined quickly, and the lot was assigned to be a solar farm.
The new Formula 1 organization, with a project designed by me, will re-use the area with a new circuit developed in collaboration with the main sponsor, that will have the most modern safety and entertainment standards, suitable for an F1 GP from 2023.

When was its first Grand Prix?

Japan has 2 places in the Continental and 1 in the World series; this is one of the eight circuits that will rotate for those spots.
It will be the first ever GP on this venue.

What’s the circuit like?

The new design has added a lot of character to a track that failed in the past in attracting top motorsport series.
Despite being only 4km long, it offers two good overtaking spots and a great mix of corners, from slow chicanes to tight hairpins, from fast bends to sweeping curves, made even more challenging for drivers by the elevation changes.
Peaks in Turns 6-7, 10-11 and 16-17 are between 20 and 30 meters higher than the starting line, with a constant shift between uphill and downhill sections.
Cold temperatures could be a factor for car performance.

Where is it located?

In the Shiraoi district, in the Hokkaido island, around 50km south of Sapporo and its International airport. (+ 42°30’17”, +141°14’53”)