Mie Circuit

This is the information and history about Fukushima (JP)

### Basic Info:

The Fukushima Circuit, built in the late 1980s, shares a timeline with the Akeno Circuit as both emerged during the same era of innovation in motorsports. Renowned for its challenging design and a notably long and winding acceleration section, the Fukushima Circuit has a history that reflects the evolution of motorsports and the pursuit of safety.

## History:

##### **Fukushima in the 80s:**

In the early 1980s, amid fervent discussions permeating the automotive world, a group of race enthusiasts conceived the idea of creating a revolutionary circuit, named the Fukushima Circuit. The goal was ambitious: to design a track that would push the limits of drivers, filled with intricate turns that demanded peak performance, leaving no room for errors.

After a decade of construction, the long-awaited day of the Fukushima Circuit's inauguration arrived. It would be the stage for a national Touring event, attracting numerous fans eagerly awaiting to witness this circuit that took years to complete. The atmosphere was electric, with high expectations for what was to come.

Fukushima stood out for its long high-speed curves, leaving drivers tackling the circuit for the first time thrilled and challenged, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

##### **Accident and Circuit Change:**

In 1995, five years after the inauguration of the Fukushima Circuit, during an F3000 event, a shocking accident occurred on one of the high-speed curves. A driver lost control of their vehicle, resulting in a violent collision with the safety barrier. This tragic incident raised serious doubts about the safety of the track and whether it should remain on the category's calendar for the following year.

After the race, many drivers expressed concerns about the safety of the venue, questioning if it was truly safe to compete there. This episode triggered crucial discussions about the necessary measures to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the races.

##### **New Layout:**

The decision to make significant changes to the Fukushima Circuit in 1995, including the removal of the high-speed curves from the original layout, sparked debates among fans and circuit directors. The directors claimed that these changes aimed to enhance safety and the experience for both drivers and spectators.

While many fans opposed this decision, arguing that the high-speed curves were an integral part of the circuit's appeal, the directors emphasized that the alterations were necessary to ensure the safety of drivers and the audience. They also stated that the layout modifications would result in significant improvements to the circuit as a whole.

This situation reflects the common conflict between tradition and safety in the world of racing and motorsports, where balancing the desire for thrilling high-speed curves with the need to ensure the safety of participants and spectators can be a complex challenge.

##### **Global Safety Concerns Increased:**

After the completion of the works in 1996, the Fukushima Circuit resumed hosting local GT events. However, the track's future remained uncertain as many fans expressed dissatisfaction with the new layout, claiming that Fukushima had lost its excellence and unique design.

Even with the new layout, the desired safety for drivers was not achieved, raising persistent concerns about the track. This raised significant doubts about the direction the circuit was taking and whether replacing the original layout was truly the necessary solution.

In 2002, a serious accident in Suzuka caught the attention of circuit directors, leading them to reassess whether the new layout was meeting the necessary safety requirements. However, the pivotal moment came in 2003 when an accident during a MotoGP race in Suzuka resulted in the tragic death of a rider. These events marked a significant turning point in the Fukushima Circuit's trajectory and prompted crucial changes.

##### **Rebuilding the Layout:**

Faced with the grim reality of the Fukushima Circuit, the directors made the decision to completely overhaul the track's layout. In 2004, after years of abandoning the original layout with its long curves, the management chose to restore a part of the original layout, adding more layout options to the track and implementing improvements in the runoff areas to ensure greater safety for both drivers and the attending audience.

Furthermore, alongside the main straight, an amusement park was created to offer entertainment to fans. This initiative marked the beginning of a new era for the Fukushima Circuit, demonstrating the administration's commitment to providing a safer and more welcoming environment for motorsport competitions. The track continued to evolve and adapt to the growing safety demands, solidifying its position as a renowned circuit in the automotive world.