Greeting/Acknowledgement
Forewords
I would like to thank you all for coming in to our press conference of JapaneseChampionship Formula NIPPON 2012.
And I also like to express my heartfelt sympathy to sufferers of the Great East Japan
Earthquake. I am hoping that earliest re-establishment and reconstruction of thisbeautiful country and disaster areas will be realized.
For Season Opening
The 7 events of Japanese Championship Formula NIPPON 2012 will start off bySuzuka 2&4 in the coming month.
We have 12 entrants with 17 drivers to compete for the title of “The fastest driver inJapan.” Especially we welcome 4 former Series Champions for this season: Tugio
Matsuda, the champion of 2 consecutive years of 2007-2008. 2009 champion, LoicDuval. 2010 champion, Joao Paulo de Oliveira. And champion of the last year (2011),
Andre Lotterer. This is first-ever that 4 champions compete in Formula NIPPON. It’s
easy to expect to see high level and exciting races suitable to Japanese Championship.
In addition, full-time IndyCar Series driver, Takuma Sato will join into the final event.
Thus motor sport fans will enjoy high quality entertainment, deserving to the top
category of formula car race in Japan.
Feature of 2012 season
We will abolish tire change obligation. Instead, the race distance will be unified at
250km, and we limit maximum capacity of fuel. Therefore pit in is necessary, and teamstrategy of pit in will be more flexible. That will be a key factor of much more excitingrace.
*Rd.7 Suzuka event is set of 2 heats, thus the race distance will differ.
Changing the Series Title
Formula NIPPON started to aim the top race of Japan in 1996. We have been operating
for those 16 years with the series title of “Formula NIPPON”. We have held event inSepang, Malaysia in the past, and we have discussed and negotiated over opportunities
to hold more events in Asia: Our vision expands to the global market moreover;therefore we are planning to change the series title constructively.
We will call for entries publicly from April 14 (SAT) for a new title, which is suitablefor the coming era.
1

[Example/Application Guide]- Title: Wanted New Title of Formula NIPPON!
<Looking for a new title suitable for the globalization of the top race series offormula car in Japan>- Promoter: Japan Race Promotion Inc.
- How to apply: Write down a new title and its reason, your address, name, age,phone number, and choice of prize on a post card. Send to:
Formula NIPPON New Title Entry
Japan Race Promotion Inc.
2-3-25 Kundan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074--Period: April 15-May 13, 2012 (The post card must be postmarked by thedeadline.)
Application requirements: Living in Japan and holding driver’s licensePrize: A pair of Series Paddock Pass 2013
(Extra prize) Honda CR-Z type α or TOYOTA 86 grade G*If we have several title winners, we will choose one prizewinner by lot.
Schedule:Press release: March 26 (Mon) in the media conference
Open of application: April 14 (Sat) in Rd.1 of Formula NIPPON at Suzuka
Circuit
Close of application: May 13 (Sun) in Rd.2 of Formula NIPPON at Twin Ring
MotegiAnnouncement of winner: May 27 (Sun) in Rd.3 of Formula NIPPON atAutopolis
Prize ceremony: November 18 (Sun) in Fuji Sprint Cup
Operation of the new title: January 1, 2013

Introducing New Chassis
The series continues to use chassis FN09 by Swift Engineering Inc. for this season. We
are considering introducing a new chassis around 2014 that meets current circumstances.
We already have approaches from domestic and foreign constructors. We will decide
until the summer and hopefully have actually running test from the middle of the next
season.
System-E
We have developed System-E, which will bring more exciting and attractive races with2

more opportunities of overtaking. The system is battery-powered equipment attached to
the gearbox and increases machine’s performances without consuming fuel. We’ve
intended to introduce in this 2012 season.
We had practical development test in circuit with cooperation of Honda Motor
Company Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation last year. Responding to environmental
issues, we have evolved the system focusing on energy regeneration.
However, test program in last May was prolonged to September under the influence of
the Great East Japan Earthquake, and then our develop schedule was delayed. Thus wehave shelved introduction in this season. Now we aim for realization in 2014 and keep
on development and testing.
Other Plans
We are planning also:
TV broadcasting contains rich and full views such as in-car camera and reports
aggressive and powerful races on BS FUJI and J SPORTS. We do video delivery on
internet site YAHOO! Gyao!
In addition, we work together with “Enjoy Honda” hosted by Honda and emphasis morewith motorcycle races for 2&4 events. Those attempts are aiming synergetic phenomena
for more cognition and penetration of Formula NIPPON.
For Closing
That’s our vision and plan for 2012 and after.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.

March 26, 2012
Japan Race Promotion Inc.
President Hiroshi SHIRAI3