MEDIA INFORMATION
April 13, 2016
Japan Race Promotion Inc.

Round 1 : April 23 (Saturday) – April 24 (Sunday)

2016 NGK Spark Plugs Suzuka 2&4 Race
2016 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series : SUZUKA CIRCUIT– Who will win the opening race? –Japan Race Promotion Inc. (President: Hiroshi Shirai, Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) today announced details of Round 1 of the 2016
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series, part of the “2016 NGK Spark Plugs Suzuka 2&4 Race” event, scheduled to take place on
April 23–24 at the Suzuka Circuit (length = 5.807km) in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
The 2016 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series is the only internationally accredited driver championship in Asia, run over sevenrounds 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.
*12 drivers from Japan and seven from five other countries (UK, Germany, Belgium, Brazil and India).
The opening round of the 2016 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series will be run over 43 laps of the Suzuka Circuit (length =5.807km) for a total distance of 249.701km, as part of the “2016 NGK Spark Plugs Suzuka 2&4 Race” event.
The 2016 season promises to be exciting. The big draw this year is rising star and GP2 2015 champion Stoffel Vandoorne (DOCOMO TEAMDANDELION RACING). How will he perform in Japan after recently securing a point for his tenth place finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix. Many fanswill of course also be watching to see if defending champion Hiroaki Ishiura (P.MU/CERUMO • INGING) can achieve a second successive
championship victory. And will last year’s second place finisher Kazuki Nakajima (PETRONAS TEAM TOM’S) manage to clinch the title after anagonizingly close finish in 2015. Also, fans will be watching Kamui Kobayashi (SUNOCO TEAM LEMANS), who carries major expectations in his
second SUPER FORMULA season, Naoki Yamamoto (TEAM MUGEN), who put in a strong performance during testing, and the competitive
group of overseas drivers competing in 2016. As ever, this season is set to be a tight battle decided by narrow margins of hundredths of a second.
This year’s racing machines, powered by increasingly reliable HONDA and TOYOTA engines and fitted with tires from our new supplier
Yokohama Rubber, are also attracting attention, adding to rising excitement ahead of the opening round.

No. 38 Hiroaki Ishiura (P.MU/CERUMO • INGING), 2015 SUPER FORMULA Champion2016 JAPANESE SUPER FORMULA CHAMPIOSHIP Round 1 : ENTRY LIST (Chassis: SF14, Tires: Yokohama)
NO.

DRIVERDATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH

1Hiroaki Ishiura

23 April 1981
Tokyo, Japan

2

Yuji Kunimoto

12 September 1990
Kanagawa, Japan

3

James Rossiter

25 August 1983
United Kingdom

4William Buller

7Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan

8Kamui Kobayashi

10Koudai Tsukakoshi

ENTRANTMANAGERENGINE

P.MU / CERUMO・INGING

Yuji Tachikawa

TOYOTA
RI4A

KONDO RACING

Masahiko Kondo

TOYOTA
RI4A

SUNOCOTEAM LeMans

Hiroyoshi Donuma

TOYOTA
RI4A

REAL RACING

Katsutomo Kaneishi

Honda
HR-414E

17 September 1992
United Kingdom
14 January 1977
India
13 September 1986
Hyogo, Japan
20 November 1986
Tochigi, Japan

11Takuya Izawa

1 June 1984
Tokyo,Japan

16

Naoki Yamamoto

11 July 1988
Tochigi, JapanTEAM MUGEN

Nagataka Tezuka

Honda
HR-414E

18Yuichi Nakayama

25 July 1991
Tokyo, Japan

KCMG

Ryuji DoiTOYOTA
RI4A

19

Joao Paulo de Oliveira

13 July 1981
Brazil
ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL

Kazuyoshi Hoshino

TOYOTA
RI4A

DRAGO CORSE

Ryo Michigami

Honda
HR-414E

VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S

Nobuhide Tachi

TOYOTA
RI4A

DOCOMO TEAMDANDELION RACING

Kiyoshi Muraoka

Honda
HR-414E

NAKAJIMA RACING

Satoru Nakajima

Honda
HR-414E

20

Yuhi Sekiguchi

29 December 19987
Tokyo, Japan

34

Takashi Kogure

1 August 1980
Gunma, Japan

36

Andre Lotterer

19 November 1981
Germany37

Kazuki Nakajima

11 January 1985
Aichi, Japan

40

Tomoki Nojiri

15 September 1989Ibaraki, Japan

41

Stoffel Vandoorne

26 March 1992
Belgium

64

Daisuke Nakajima

29 January 1989
Aichi, Japan65

Bertrand Baguette

23 February 1986
Belgium

GET TO KNOW THE BASICS■ WHAT IS SUPER FORMULA?
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship is the top category of Japanese formula racing featuring purpose-built racing cars with single-seat,
open cockpit and open wheel. 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 relaunch of the series
given a new name of SUPER FORMULA.
■ CHAMPIONSHIPThe 2016 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship has a total of 11 teams (entrants) and 19 drivers (cars) from Japan and overseas (the sevenoverseas drivers are from five countries: UK(2), Belgium(2), Germany(1), Brazil(1) and India(1)). Teams and drivers are awarded points for each race,with accumulated points determining the final standings.
2016 CHAMPIOSHIP POINT SCORING SYSTEM
1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th & beyond

PP1 race round

10865

43

2

10

1

2 races round Race 15(+3)

432.52

1.5

10.5

0

12 races round Race 25(+3)

43

2.5

2

1.5

10.5

0

1POSITION＊ PP=Pole Position (a driver who set the fastest lap in the qualifying session). One point is awarded to the polesitter (only to the driver but not tothe team).

I n the 2-race rounds, half points are awarded for both Race 1 & Race 2.

＊ Rd.7 Suzuka, three extra points are awarded to each race winner of Race 1 & Race 2 (i.e. up to a maximum of 18 points are awarded to the driver who claimed
poleposition and wins of both Race 1 & Race 2).

＊ In case two or more drivers/teams are in a dead heat for a championship standing at the end of the season, the driver/team with the higher number of superior
race results is awarded the position.

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

3
■ RACE CAR
The base chassis SF14 is supplied by Dallara (Italy). The cars are powered by 2.0-litre turbo-charged inline-4 direct injection engine either fromHonda (HR414E) or Toyota (RI4A). YOKOHAMA serves as the sole tyre supplier. SUPER FORMULA offers the chance to enjoy highly
competitive racing featuring top drivers from Japan and overseas in the SF14 race car, which has the same cornering speeds as the top Formula 1race cars.
4■ OVERTAKE SYSTEMThe Overtake System (OTS) is an overtaking aid that works by leveraging the fuel flow restrictor (fuel flow rate control system) employed on the new*1engine. It can increase fuel supply temporarily to provide approximately ten (or five) per cent of engine performance improvement. By pressing abutton called OTB (Overtake Button) on the steering wheel, the system will be activated for 20 seconds per use. Drivers may use the OTS up to 5times a race. The status of the OTS use can easily be recognized by “Overtake Lamp (five small LEDs)” on the roll hoop. The number of lighted
Lamp(s) shows the number of OTS activation, and on top of this they are blinking when the system is in use. The Lamps basically illuminate white
while the championship leader comes with red lights called “Leader’s Red”. The Overtake Lamp system can only be seen in SUPER FORMULA.
*1: Suzuka & Fuji Speedway Circuit : 5%. Other Circuit :10% engine performance improvement.

■ OFFICIAL QUALIFYING KNOCK-OUT STYLE
Qualifying will take place over three knock-out sessions to determine places on the starting grid for the Championship race. In the event of 19 entries,
the five slowest cars during the 20-minute long Q1 session will be knocked out of the next session and assigned the 15th to 19th positions on thegrid. After a 10-minute interval, the 7-minute long Q2 session will determine the 9th to 14th positions in the same way. After another 10-minuteinterval, the final 7-minute long Q3 session will decide the top 8 positions on the starting grid. As the name of the qualifying round suggests, drivers
are knocked out if they do not post strong qualifying times.

■ RACE
Suzuka Circuit International Racing Course (Circuit length 5.807km) : 43 laps / total distance 249.701km.

2016 CHAMPIOSHIP RACE CALENDARDATESCIRCUITQUALIFYING FORMATRACE FORMAT

Round 1

April 23 – 24

Suzuka Circuit

Knockout

250km

Round 2

May 28 – 29

OKAYAMA International Circuit

Knockout

250km

Round 3

July 16 – 17

Fuji Speedway

Knockout

250km

Round 4

August 18 – 21

Twin Ring Motegi

Knockout

250km

Round 5September 10 – 11

AUTOPOLIS International Circuit

Knockout

250km

Round 6

September 24– 25

Sportsland SUGO

Knockout

250km

Round 7*

October 29 – 30

Suzuka Circuit

Knockout

2-heat*“The 15th JAF GRAND PRIX SUZUKA”■ SUZUKA CIRCUIT International Racing Course
Suzuka is one of the few racing circuits worldwide with a figure-of-eight design. The circuit has a long, narrow east-west layout with an overpass inthe center that switches the driving direction from clockwise to counter-clockwise. Suzuka is also Japan’s longest circuit with a length of 5.807km.
The track is between 10m and 16m wide, has 20 corners and a maximum elevation change of 52m. Suzuka’s asphalt has a higher coefficient offriction than many circuits worldwide. Suzuka circuit is widely liked in the racing community as a technical but rewarding course for drivers due to its
elevation change and balanced layout of high- and low-speed corners.

ABOUT THE SUZUKA ROUND■ Official name :2016 NGK SPARK PLUGS SUZUKA 2 & 4 RACE
2016 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Round 1 : Suzuka Circuit■ Held jointly with :2016 MFJ SUPERBIKE ALL JAPAN ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP Round 22016 Japanese Formula 3 Championship Round 1 & 2
2016 N-ONE OWNER'S CUP
Honda Sports & Eco Program 10L Challenge■ Dates :2016 April 23 (Saturday) : QUALIFYING
2016 April 24 (Sunday) : RACE

■ Location :Suzuka Circuit International Racing Course, Mie Prefecture (Circuit length: 5.807km)■ Hosted by :Automobile: Group of Speed Sports (GSS), Suzuka Motor Sports Club (SMSC)
Motorcycle: Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ)and Mobilityland Corporation■ Official recognition by :Automobile : Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Japan Automobile Fereration (JAF)
Motorcycle : Fédération Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) and Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ)■ Authorized by :Automobile : Japan Race Promotion Inc. (JRP) and Japanese Formula 3 Association (JF3A)■ Sponsored by :Japan Sports Agency, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ; Japan Tourism Agency ;Mie Prefecture; The City of Suzuka;
The Suzuka F1 Japan Grand Prix Regional Revitalization Council ;Tourist Information Office Suzuka; Suzuka Chamber of Commerce and Industry ;TV Coverage & Race Footage Delivery● J SPORTS :Live broadcast of all rounds (both qualifying and race).
On-air dates :Rebroadcastings and digest programs also available.

Apr. 23 (Sat) at 13:30 -15:00 [Live coverage of the qualifying sessions on J SPRTS 4]
Apr. 24 (Sun) at 14:30 -17:30 [Live coverage of the race on J SPRTS 4]＊For more info on the programs, visit J SPORTS website < http://www.jsports.co.jp/motor/super_formula/>● BS FUJI :“SUPER FORMULA Go On!” features all race highlights. First show broadcast on Friday in the week after the race.
Fans who want the stories behind all the action can tune in to the highlights show to get the inside track on race incidents.
The show also features interviews with drivers and secrets from the pit lane about the race cars, giving viewers a unique insight
into the exciting world of SUPER FORMULA.
On-air dates :Round 1

Apr. 29 (Fri) at 23:30 -24:25

Round 2

Jun. 03 (Fri) at 24:00 -24:55

Round 3

Jul. 22 (Fri) at 24:00 -24:55

Round 4

Aug. 26 (Fri) at 23:30 -24:25

Round 5

Sep. 16 (Fri) at 24:00 -24:55

Round 6

Sep. 30 (Fri) at 23:30 -24:25

Round 7

Oct. 04 (Fri) at 24:00 -24:55

Omnibus

undetermined＊For more info on the programs, visit BS Fuji website < http://www.bsfuji.tv/top/pub/superformura2015.html>

FUJI TELEVISION CS :“SUPER FORMULA TV” features all race highlights plus talk show with invited guest drivers.

NEXT Live Premium

A 30-minute show with race highlights and studio guests, giving an insight into the world of SUPER FORMULA.
This year studio guests will include drivers involved in the 2016 championship and famous racing legends who havecompeted at the top level. Two guests will talk about their passion for formula racing, revisiting famous incidents fromthe past and through to the present day. Fuji TV F1 broadcast announcer along with language fluent fashion model
Ms. Erika Yokoyama will host the show.
On-air dates : Apr. 29 (Fri) at 17:40 – 18:10 [NEXT]
Gest driver : Satoshi Motoyama / Kamui Kobayashi＊For more info on the programs, visit CS Fuji website <http://otn.fujitv.co.jp/b_hp/914200066.html >FUJI TELEVISION :“Chousoku Goon”
Race highlights and chat show with racing personalities Kamui Kobayashi and Daisuke Nakajima.
Broadcast on Sunday at 26:35 – 27:-05 the week before the race.
Facilitator : Pierre Kitagawa
Gest : Satoru Nakajima

● GYAO ! :Race footage of each SUPER FORMULA round will be available on-demand 10 days after each round.
< http://gyao.yahoo.co.jp/sports/ >● You Tube :Review show of qualifying and competition round the evening after the race
< https://www.youtube.com/user/superformulavideo >*On-air schedule is subject to change.
Visit SUPER FORMULA official website <http://www.superformula.net/> for updates.

Ticket Information & Enquiries■ Advance purchase・Admission ticket (2-days)：¥4,000 ＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport (adult)：¥1,700 (High school & Junior high school students)：¥ 800 (Elementary School)：¥ 600 (Over 3 years old and Under Elementary School)・Admission ticket (2-days)＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport：¥4,000 (adult)：¥4,000 (High school & Junior high school students)：¥3,100 (Elementary School)：¥2,000 (Over 3 years old and Under Elementary School)

Group ticket◉ 3 person : ¥10,800 (¥2,800 per person)

・Admission ticket (2-days)◉ 4 person : ¥13,600 (¥3,400 per person)＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport■ At the door・Admission ticket◉ 5 person : ¥16,000 (¥3,200 per person)* Saturday：¥1,700 (adult)* Sunday：¥4,300 ＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport (adult)* Sat / Sun：¥1,700 (High school & Junior high school students)* Sat / Sun：¥ 800 (Elementary School)* Sat / Sun：¥ 600 (Over 3 years old and Under Elementary School)

・Paddock pass (＋ Pit-walk)：¥6,200 (Over Junior high school students)：¥1,600 (Over 3 years old and Under Elementary School)

・Pit-walk pass：¥2,100Sat／Sun＊ Child under Elementary School age are free of admission when accompanied by an adult.

Please visit the :SUPER FORMULA Official website : < http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/superformula/ticket >SUPER FORMULA Official facebook : < https://www.facebook.com/superformula.official >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