MEDIA INFORMATION
September 4, 2017
Japan Race Promotion Inc.

Round 5 : September 9 (Saturday) – September 10 (Sunday)

2017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship : AUTOPOLIS
Japan Race Promotion Inc. (President: Akira Kurashita, Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) today announced details of Round 5 of
the 2017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series, scheduled to take place on September 9-10 at the AUTOPOLISInternational Racing Course (length = 4.674 km) in Oita Prefecture, Japan. The race will be held at AUTOPOLIS for the first time in two
years. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the Kumamoto earthquakes in April 2016.
Round 5 will feature an official qualifying session based on a knock-out format, followed by a championship race run over 54 laps
(252.396 km) of the AUTOPOLIS International Racing Course. AUTOPOLIS is a technical circuit with many medium to high speed
corners and large changes in elevation, favoring drivers with an attacking driving style. Teams will also be using Yokohama tires on thecircuit for the first time.
As with Round 4, teams will be able to use soft compound tires, giving them another option to the medium compound tires used so far
this season. In the championship race, all teams are required to use both types of tire. AUTOPOLIS has a challenging layout and a highcoefficient of friction (µ), which will put different and much greater stresses on the tires than at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit. Although teams
can again use the two types of tire, they will need to develop effective tire strategies that make best use of both compound tires during thequalifying session and championship race to cope with the tougher circuit conditions. Also, pit lanes are typically located on the right side ofracing tracks, but teams will need to be on top of their game in pit work at AUTOPOLIS, as the pit lane is positioned on the left of the circuit,which affects how cars are refueled.
Hiroaki Ishiura (P.MU/CERUMO・INGING) remains top of the driver standings after Round 4. Despite being knocked out in the Q1
qualifying session, Ishiura fought hard in the championship race, posting times on par with qualifying and eventually finishing fourth. The
strong showing means Ishiura has extended his lead at the top of the standings. Andre Lotterer (VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S), who put on alate surge in Round 4, is currently second in the standings, followed by Kamui Kobayashi (KCMG), who moved up to third despite justmissing out on his first victory after a pit lane error. Chasing the top three drivers are some promising rookies, such as Pierre Gasly (TEAM
MUGEN), who secured his first Super Formula victory in Round 4 after only four attempts, and Felix Rosenqvist (SUNOCO TEAMLEMANS), who has been solid in every race so far this season. Both drivers are still in touch with the leaders and will be under the spotlightin Round 5. AUTOPOLIS is shaping up to be a crucial race in the battle for this year’s championship.

No. 2 Hiroaki Ishiura (P.MU/CERUMO・INGING) is in control of the championship at the top of the driver standings

■ OFFICIAL QUALIFYING KNOCK-OUT FORMAT

Q1 (20 minutes): Top 14 cars progress to Q2, grid positions 15-19 fixedQ2 (7 minutes): Top 8 cars progress to Q3, grid positions 9-14 fixedQ3 (7 minutes): Grid positions 1-8 fixed● 10 minute intervals between each qualifying● As the name suggests, drivers are knocked out if they do not post good enough times during the first two qualifying rounds.

*Q1 = Medium compound tires only
*Q2, Q3 = Soft and medium compound tires allowed■ CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

54 laps (1 lap: 4.674 km x 54 = 252.396 km)■ SOFT COMPOUND TIRESIn Round 5, the teams will be able to use a soft compound tire and the existing medium
compound tire. The new tire is an upgraded version of the soft compound tire introduced at lastyear’s Motegi round. The tire has been developed to provide better grip, but it also degrades ata faster rate.
At AUTOPOLIS, each team will have two new sets of medium compound tires and two newsets of soft compound tires. On the Friday before the event, the teams will be allowed to use
two old sets from the previous race (medium or soft compound tires available).
■

AUTOPOLIS INTERNATIONAL RACING COURSE

AUTOPOLIS is an internationally accredited race course with a length of 4,674 m. The circuit has been designed to make use of themajestic topographical features of the Mount Aso somma volcano.
With a home straight of 902 m, an elevation change of 52 m, and maximum uphill and downhill slopes of 7.2% and 10%, respectively,
AUTOPOLIS is a technical track with challenging changes in gradient and many medium to high speed corners. The course is also
unusual in Japan in that the pit lane is situated on the outside of the track, so the direction of race car travel, as seen from the pit lane, isthe opposite of other courses.

2017 JAPANESE SUPER FORMULA Championship Round 5 : ENTRY LIST (Chassis: SF14, Tires: Yokohama)
NO.

DRIVERDATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH

1

Yuji Kunimoto

12 September 1990
Japan

2

Hiroaki Ishiura

23 April 1981
Japan

3

Nick Cassidy

19 August 1994
New Zealand4

Kenta Yamashita

3 August 1995
Japan

7

Felix Rosenqvist

7 November 1991
Sweden30 April 1987

8

Kazuya Oshima

10

Koudai Tsukakoshi

20 November 1986
Japan

15

Pierre Gasly

7 February 1996
France16

Naoki Yamamoto

11 July 1988
Japan

18

Kamui Kobayashi

13 September 1986
Japan

19

Yuhi Sekiguchi

29 December 1987
Japan

Jann Mardenborough9 September 1991
United Kingdom

36

Andre Lotterer

19 November 1981
Germany

37

Kazuki Nakajima

11 January 1985
Japan

40

Tomoki Nojiri

15 September 1989
Japan

41

Takuya Izawa

1 June 1984
Japan

50

Takashi Kogure

1 August 1980
Japan

64

Daisuke Nakajima

29 January 1989
Japan

Narain Karthikeyan

MANAGERENGINE

P.MU / CERUMO・INGING

Yuji Tachikawa

TOYOTA
RI4A

KONDO RACING

Masahiko Kondo

TOYOTA
RI4A

SUNOCO TEAM LEMANS

Tatsuya Kataoka

TOYOTA
RI4A

REAL RACING

Katsutomo Kaneishi

HONDA
HR-417E

TEAM MUGEN

Nagataka Tezuka

HONDA
HR-417E

KCMG

Ryuji DoiTOYOTA
RI4A

ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL

Kazuyoshi Hoshino

TOYOTA
RI4A

VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S

Nobuhide Tachi

TOYOTA
RI4A

DOCOMO TEAMDANDELION RACING

Kiyoshi Muraoka

HONDA
HR-417E

B-MAX RACING TEAM

Ryuji Kumita

HONDA
HR-417E

TCS NAKAJIMA RACING

Satoru Nakajima

HONDA
HR-417E

Japan

20

65

ENTRANT

14 Jan14ury 1977
India

2017 STANDINGSDRIVERS Standings
Pos.

No.

          











 

 

DriverPts.

   

 

 

25.5

5

0.5

5

10

5

1

2

Hiroaki Ishiura

236

Andre Lotterer

20

4

5

3

6

2

3

7

Felix Rosenqvist

16.5

0

0

2.5

8

6

4

15

Pierre Gasly

15

0

0

1

4

10

5

19

Yuhi Sekiguchi

15

0

5

5

5

0

6

37

Kazuki Nakajima

13

11

0

0

2

0

7

18

Kamui Kobayashi

12.5

0

2.5

2

0

8

8

16

Naoki Yamamoto

10.5

8

2

0.5

0

0

9

1

Yuji Kunimoto

7

6

0

0

1

0

10

3

Nick Cassidy

7

0

3

0

0

4

11

4

Kenta Yamashita

6.5

0

1

1.5

0

4

12

41

Takuya Izawa

4

1

0

0

3

0

13

10

Koudai Tsukakoshi

3

3

0

0

0

0

14

20

Jann Mardenborough

2.5

0

1.5

0

1

0

15

64

Daisuke Nakajima

2

2

0

0

0

0

16

40

Tomoki Nojiri

1

0

0

0

0

1

8

Kazuya Oshima

0

0

0

0

0

0

65

Narain Karthikeyan

0

0

0

0

0

0

50

Takashi Kogure

0

0

0

0

0

0

 
    

* Winners are in Bold italics / Polesitters are in Bold.

TEAMS StandingsPos.

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



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

 

 

No. Team

Pts.

 

 

 

 

 

1

36|37 VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S

32

14

5

3

8

2

2

1|2

30.5

11

0.5

4

10

5

3

15|16 TEAM MUGEN

25.5

8

2

1.5

4

10

4

19|20 ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL

16.5

0

5.5

5

6

0

5

7|8

SUNOCO TEAM LEMANS

16.5

0

0

2.5

8

6

6



KCMG

12.5

0

2.5

2

0

8

7

3|4

KONDO RACING

12.5

0

4

1.5

0

7

8

40|41 DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING

5

1

0

0

3

1

3

3

0

0

0

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

9
10

10

P.MU/CERUMO·INGINGREAL RACING

64|65 TCS NAKAJIMA RACING
50

B-MAX RACING TEAM 
    

* Winners are in Bold italics* Team points: Team Points are the total number of points won by the driver or drivers attached to that team (entrant). Should a team (entrant) enter more than two cars at any race
event, only the best two results shall be taken into account. Pole position points shall not be included in Team Points.

ROUND 5 at AUTOPOLIS■ Official name :AUTOPOLIS SUPER 2&4 RACE 20172017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series Round 5 : AUTOPOLIS
2017 MFJ SUPER BIKE Round 7■ Dates :2017 September 9 (Saturday) : QUALIFYING
2017 September 10 (Sunday) : RACE

■ Location :AUTOPOLIS International Racing Course, Oita Prefecture (Circuit length: 4.674 km, clockwise)■ Hosted by :Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ) / AUTOPOLIS CLUB (APC) / AUTOPOLIS Co., Ltd.

■ Official recognition by :Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) / Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)■ Authorized by :Japan Race Promotion Inc. (JRP)
Japanese Formula 3 Association (JF3A)
Honda One-make Race Secretariat (HORS)■ Partnership with :Bright Co., Ltd. / TV-Kumamoto Co., Ltd.

■ Sponsored by :Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology / Japan Tourism Agency /Oita Prefecture / Kumamoto Prefecture / Hita City / Kikuchi City / Aso City /Yanagawa City / Ozu Town / Oguni Town / Minamioguni Town / Ubuyama Village /Hita City Board of Education / Kikuchi City Board of Education /Aso City Board of Education / Yanagawa City Board of Education /Ozu Town Board of Education / Oguni Town Board of Education /Minamioguni Town Board of Education / Ubuyama Village Board of Education /Hita City Tourism Association / Kikuchi City Tourist Association /Aso City Tourism Association / Yanagawa City Tourist Association /Higo—Ozu Tourist Association / Oguni Town Tourism Association /Tsuetate Onsen Tourist Hotel Cooperative / Minamioguni-machiTourism Association /Ubuyama Tourism Association■ Held jointly with :2017 Japanese Formula 3 Championship Round 17 & 18
2017 N-ONE OWNER'S CUP Round 12

TV Coverage & Race Footage Delivery
レデ● BS Fuji :Live Race Broadcast “2017 SUPER FORMULA Round 5 AUTOPOLIS”
This program will be broadcast “live” and hosted by Super Formula’s official commentator Pierre Kitagawa, with additionalcommentary by Super Formula ambassador Satoshi Motoyama. Tsugio Matsuda, a highly respected technical commentator,and Miki Higashi, will give reports from the pit.

Trackside:

Pierre Kitagawa

Commentary:

Satoshi Motoyama

Pit reporters:

Tsugio Matsuda and Miki Higashi

Broadcast time:

September 10 (Sun) at 13:00 -14:55＊For more info on the program, visit the BS Fuji website < http://www.bsfuji.tv/superfomuralive/pub/index.html >● BS Fuji :“Super Formula Go On!”
This talk-show program hosted by Super Formula drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Daisuke Nakajima will showcase the appealof Super Formula by introducing key people from the sport today. High-profile guests from within and outside the industry will
be featured each program. Pierre Kitagawa will assist the hosts, and Hina Higuchi, a member of top-idol girl band Nogizaka 46,
will narrate the show. In the race digest segment, Tsugio Matsuda, the pit reporter in the “live” broadcast will deliver in-depth
commentary, complemented by reports from the race track by Miki Higashi.

Broadcast time:

Show # 5

September 2 (Sat) at 23:00 -23:55
September 3 (Sun) at 25:00 -25:55 (Re-broadcast)Show # 6

September 17 (Sun) at 25:00 -25:55
September 23 (Sat) a 23:00 -23:55 (Re-broadcast)＊For more info on the show, visit the BS Fuji website < http://www.bsfuji.tv/superfomura/pub/index.html >● J SPORTS :Live broadcasts of all rounds (both qualifying and races). Re-broadcasts and digest programs will be aired.
Round 5 AUTOPOLIS
Broadcast time:
Qualifying

September 9 (Sat)

13:30 -15:30[ Live coverage on J SPORTS 3 ]Race

September 10 (Sun)12:40 -15:30[ Live coverage on J SPORTS 3 ]＊For more info on the programs, visit J SPORTS website < http://www.jsports.co.jp/motor/super_formula/ >[ Online Video Distribution ]● GYAO ! :All SUPER FORMULA championship races will be available to view for free on-demand 15 days after the race.
*Distribution times may change. < http://gyao.yahoo.co.jp/sports/ >● YouTube :A digest featuring the qualifying sessions and championship races will be uploaded the evening of the races.
*Distribution times may change. For more information, visit the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship official website on
the evening after qualifying and the race: http://www.superformula.net/
superformulavideo-YouTube : < https://www.youtube.com/user/superformulavideo >[ Internet / Social Media ]SUPER FORMULA Official website : < http://superformula.net/apf/ap/nlist_h.dll/?lang=en >SUPER FORMULA Official Facebook : < https://www.facebook.com/superformula.official >SUPER FORMULA Official twitter: < https://twitter.com/SUPER_FORMULA >Visit the SUPER FORMULA official website <http://www.superformula.net/> for updates.

Ticket Information & Inquiries■ Advance purchase■ At the door・Admission ticket：¥ 4,860 (valid for both days)

・Pit walk pass：¥ 3,240 (valid for both days) ・excluding admission ticket

・Paddock pass：¥ 5,400 (valid for both days) ・excluding admission ticket

・Pit walk pass + Paddock pass：¥ 8,100 (valid for both days) ・excluding admission ticket・Parking ticket：Passenger car ¥ 1,620 (valid for both days)

・Admission ticket：¥ 3,000 (sat)：¥ 6,000 (sun)・Pit walk pass：¥ 2,000 (sat) ・excluding admission ticket：¥ 3,000 (sun) ・excluding admission ticket

・Paddock pass：¥ 3,500 (sat) ・excluding admission ticket：¥ 6,000 (sun) ・excluding admission ticket・Parking ticket (one day)＊：Passenger car ¥ 1,500 / Motorcycles ¥500

Junior high school students and younger are eligible for free entry with their guardian.

Ticket details: Please visit the AUTOPOLIS official website for more details.
< http://www.autopolis.jp/2and4/ticket/index.html>

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT :Japan Race Promotion Inc.

Heiando Building, 2-3-25

E-mail : media@superformula.net

Kudan-minami,Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

E-mail : media@jrp-inc.net

102-0074, JAPANTe l : +81 (0)3 3237 0131
Fax : +81 (0)3 3237 0135

GET TO KNOW THE BASICS■ WHAT IS SUPER FORMULA?
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship is the top category of formula racing in Japan featuring purpose-built racing cars with a single-seat,
open cockpit and open wheels. Organized by Japan Race Promotion, Inc. and fully sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), SUPERFORMULA traces back its origins to the Japanese Championship Formula NIPPON first launched in 1996. 2013 saw the re-launch of the series
under the new name of SUPER FORMULA.
■ ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPThe 2017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series is the only internationally accredited driver championship in Asia, run over seven*1rounds and six circuits across Japan. A total of 11 teams (entrants) and 19 drivers (cars) from Japan and overseas are competing to win this year’sseries.
*1
13 drivers from Japan and six from six other countries: New Zealand, Sweden, France, UK, Germany, and India

2017 CHAMPIOSHIP RACE CALENDARDATESCIRCUITQUALIFYING FORMATRACE FORMAT

Knockout

200km

Timed/Knockout

2-RacesRound 1

April 22 – 23

Suzuka Circuit

Round 2

May 27 – 28

OKAYAMA International Circuit

Round 3

July 8 – 9Fuji Speedway

Knockout

250km

Round 4

August 19 – 20

Twin Ring Motegi

Knockout

250km

Round 5September 9 – 10

AUTOPOLIS International Racing Course

Knockout

250km

Round 6

September 23– 24

Sportsland SUGO

Knockout

250km

Round 7*

October 21 – 22

Suzuka Circuit

Knockout

2-Races*“The 16th JAF GRAND PRIX SUZUKA”

2017 CHAMPIONSHIP POINT SCORING SYSTEM
Winner

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th & beyondPP

1 race round

10

8

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

1

2 races round Race 1

5 (+3)

4

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

1

2 races round Race 2

5 (+3)

4

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

1

POSITION

Notes:
1) For 2-race formats, half the number of points shall be awarded in each of the two races except for pole position which brings one point for each race.
2) In Round 7 (Final Round) in Suzuka Circuit, the winner(s) in race 1 and race 2 shall be awarded an additional 3 points per race. Should the same driver take pole position and win in
both race 1 and race 2, he would earn a maximum of 18 points for the Round.
3) In the event of any ties for position, the driver or team with superior race results—based on descending order from number of wins to number of second places and so forth—will gain
precedence.
Rookie of the Year:
Should there be three or more rookie drivers participating for the first time in the SUPER FORMULA series, the rookie driver with the highest number of points at the end of the season
shall be named Rookie of the Year.
Team Points:a) Team Points are calculated by adding the points earned by the driver or drivers belonging to the team.
b) Should a team enter more than two cars at any race event, only the best two results shall be taken into account.
c) Pole position points shall not be included in the Team Points.

■

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDSThe Drivers’ Championship title is awarded to the driver who scores the most points over the course of the season. The Champion is awarded
the Series Driver’s Champion Cup and prize money by Japan Race Promotion, Inc. In addition, the Champion receives the Confederation’s Cup
offered by the Parliamentary Association for Motorsport Promotion of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, as well as the Commissioner’s Cup fromthe Japan Tourism Agency. For the Team Champion, the Minister’s Cup will be awarded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, plus prize
money from Japan Race Promotion, Inc.

■ RACE CAR● Chassis

Since 2014, SUPER FORMULA race cars have used the SF14 chassis, which is made by Italian company Dallara and is based on the “quick andlight” design concept. The adoption of the SF14 chassis has led to a dramatic improvement in the quality of races, leading to greater interest inSUPER FORMULA overseas.
● Engines*2

Honda and Toyota, two of Japan’s leading automakers, have developed engines for SUPER FORMULA based on the NRE engine concept , whichis part of each automaker’s efforts to develop next-generation engines. SUPER FORMULA cars are currently powered by the HONDA HR-417E or
the TOYOTA R14A.
All engines are fitted with fuel flow restrictors. By setting fuel flow limits, the key to winning races is how efficiently fuel can be converted into power.
Competitive development between automakers has resulted in a highly efficient engine with higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and net
thermal efficiency better than hybrid vehicles currently on the market, helping to advance the development of next-generation engines.
*2

NRE engine specifications
Honda, Toyota and Nissan together agreed on a number of criteria for race engines that incorporate environmental technology while also preserving theexcitement of motor sport.
Cylinder configuration : Inline-four
Displacement: 2,000cc + turbo

Fuel intake system: Direct injection

Fuel flow limits: 95kg/h for Suzuka and Fuji Speedway circuits, 90kg/h for other circuits● Overtaking System

SUPER FORMULA introduced an overtaking system (OTS) in 2009 as part of initiatives to make races more exciting. SUPER FORMULA was thefirst competition in the world to adopt this system. The OTS encourages drivers to make more overtaking maneuvers, one of the most exciting parts*3of motorsport. The SF14 OTS system uses the fuel flow restrictor fitted to engines to temporarily increase fuel flow to the engine, boosting power .
Drivers use a button on the steering wheel to activate the system for 20 seconds up to five times during a race or five times total for 2-race formats.
The Overtaking Lamps (OTL) on the roll hoop indicate when the system is in use, allowing spectators to see when drivers have activated their OTS.
The racing driver with the most Championship points has the distinction of an OTL with red lamps, called "leader’s red” whereas the other cars’ OTL
lamps are white.
*3

Overtaking system specifications
Mechanism : Activating the overtaking system boosts fuel flow by 10kg/h
Impact: Activating the overtaking system increases engine output by around 60PS, or 10%

Rules: Drivers are allowed to use the system up to five times per race for 20 seconds each time.

● Tires

Yokohama Rubber became the sole tire supplier from the 2016 season. Yokohama Rubber’s ADVAN racing tires perform well against SUPERFORMULA’s rigorous criteria for grip, durability and safety, adding to the excitement of race events.