Twin Ring Motegi

Twin Ring Motegi stands as one of Japan's premier motorsport facilities, located in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture. Built by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and opened in August 1997, this unique circuit features two distinct racing tracks that earned it the "Twin Ring" name. The facility underwent a rebranding in March 2022 for its 25th anniversary, becoming "Mobility Resort Motegi," though many still refer to it by its original name. The circuit has played a significant role in Japanese and international motorsport, hosting everything from MotoGP to IndyCar races throughout its history.

History and Development

Honda developed Twin Ring Motegi to boost motorsport interest in Japan and create a testing ground for their vehicles. The project took over ten years to complete, with construction finishing in 1997. Honda designed the facility with both Japanese and international racing in mind, particularly focusing on American open-wheel racing. This led to the creation of the facility's most distinctive feature - its dual track layout with both an oval speedway and a road course.

Twin Track Layout

The "Twin Ring" name comes from the facility's two separate racing circuits. The oval track measures 1.549 miles (2.493 km) with an egg-shaped design where turns 3 and 4 are tighter than turns 1 and 2. This unique layout forces drivers to downshift when entering the tighter sections. The oval, the only one of its kind in Japan used for competitive racing, hosted IndyCar races until 2010. The second track, the road course, spans 4.801 km (2.983 miles) and features 14 corners (6 left-handed and 8 right-handed). It runs in a clockwise direction, opposite to the oval's counter-clockwise configuration. The road course can be split into two smaller tracks: an 11-turn East Road Course and a 6-turn West Road Course. Unlike many Japanese circuits, the road course is notably flat with only a slight elevation change near the hairpin turn.

Technical Specifications

The road course holds FIA Grade 2 and FIM Grade A certification. It features a width of 12-15 meters throughout and includes a 762-meter straight, the longest on the circuit. The layout includes tight corners and heavy braking zones with a "stop-start straight-hairpin style" that challenges drivers' technical skills and provides exciting racing. The road course passes underneath the oval track at two points, creating a truly integrated facility.

Major Racing Events

The oval track hosted the Indy Japan 300 (IndyCar Series) from 1998 to 2011 and a single NASCAR exhibition race in 1998, the Coca-Cola 500. CART also held races on the oval from 1998 to 2002. The road course has served as home to the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) since 1999, with some exceptions. It also hosts rounds of the Super Formula Championship and Super GT series annually. The Pacific Motorcycle Grand Prix ran at Motegi from 2000 to 2003.

Notable Facts

Motegi gained international attention when Danica Patrick won the 2008 IndyCar race here, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race. The oval course stopped hosting major races after damage from a 2011 earthquake caused subsidence, making it unsuitable for high-speed competition. Beyond racing, the facility includes the Honda Collection Hall, safety and riding schools, karting tracks, hotels, restaurants, and shops. The BAR Formula One car racing scene from Honda's "Impossible Dream" commercial was filmed at this track in 2005, adding to its cultural significance.