JLMC Venues

Purist · 23 Mar 2006, 20:23 (Ref:1558955)

Now I know that a lot of you are just wondering whether this series is even going to really get of the ground, as I have read the "JLMC Entries" thread, but I was wondering about a couple things.

As I recall, they are planning to run at Motegi (2.980-miles), Sugo (2.302-miles), and Aida/Okayama (2.314-miles). First off, what would be the particular motivations for running at these tracks?

That brings me to my next point, whcih is that those would not have been the tracks that I would have expected. So, what tracks do you think would make the most sense to run at?

Finally, what other venues, if any, would you prefer to see the JLMC at? I know that I would rather see them run at Suzuka, Autopolis, and maybe even Fuji. As for the shorter circuits (under 2.5-miles), Sugo and Aida are alright; I actually rather like the automobile layout (without the chicane bit) at Tsukuba.

dj choc ice · 23 Mar 2006, 21:08 (Ref:1558983)

i thought they would run on the following tracks in japan and these are good tracks for sports car racing:

fuji speedway
tsukuba race track
suzuka grand prix track
twin ring motegi
ti circuit aida
sugo

japan has some very high quality race tracks and fuji is a brilliant race track and i could imagine the JLMC racing there

Satorian · 23 Mar 2006, 23:00 (Ref:1559078)

Isn't Tsukuba way too small for an endurance race with a properly filled grid?

billnchristy · 23 Mar 2006, 23:20 (Ref:1559096)

Tsukuba is almost too small for a 6 car tuner car battle...no way would a proto race be worth a grain of monkey poo there!!!

Purist · 24 Mar 2006, 00:16 (Ref:1559127)

First off, doesn't JGTC run at Tsukuba?

Yes, the course is short (1.271-miles for cars). However, it is relatively fast and open for a short track. The 437m back straight leads into a very fast final turn and a 300m or so front straight, which makes a very high-speed section of nearly a kilometre. The esses make the inner section difficult to pass in, but there are a couple short runs, and the two slower 180s should at least give the prototypes at shot around the outside of the GTs.

The pit facilities can accomodate 32 cars. Pit-out is as clear of the racing line as is really possible, and pit-in is pretty good as it cuts off at the entrance of the last turn.

And anyway, I'm not as worried as I might otherwise be considering that the ALMS has shown that a fairly clean race at Lime Rock (1.54-miles to the lap) is quite possible.

sportscarsRULE · 24 Mar 2006, 01:05 (Ref:1559148)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj choc ice

...fuji is a brilliant race track and i could imagine the JLMC racing there

At least it used to be. Now it's just another Tilke parking lot.

Asa · 24 Mar 2006, 02:00 (Ref:1559171)

I don't agree that every Tilke track is bad. Sepang and Istanbul have been very well received. In fact SuperGT/JGTC visits Sepang every year since 2000 and no one has ever complained.

GT-Eins · 24 Mar 2006, 03:08 (Ref:1559223)

The track choice is ok for a test-season - no one knows whether JLMS is really taking off so why spend money for more expensive tracks ?
If JLMS works fine (hopefully!) Suzuka & Fuji should be on the schedule for the coming years

billnchristy · 24 Mar 2006, 03:25 (Ref:1559234)

No, Super GT doesnt run at Tsukuba

nsxr · 24 Mar 2006, 19:26 (Ref:1559863)

an '03 NSX ran tsukaba it about 54 seconds last year during the drift kings retirement party there.

Purist · 24 Mar 2006, 23:52 (Ref:1560001)

Thanks for clearing that up Billnchristy.

Asa, Istanbul is the one Tilke track I can honestly say I like. It has good corner combinations, it all fits together very nicely, and it has great elevation changes. I'm neutral on Sepang, as it has a pretty nice layout, but it's quite flat, and has little landscaping/scenery that I could see (primarily a lot of gravel traps). As for his other original designs and revisions, they're horrendous as far as I can tell. BTW, who designed Doha and Dubai?

Now, back to the Japanese tracks. I think Fuji would be alright, but it's NOT the great circuit it once was (100R and 300R/Last Turn decimated). I still think Tsukuba could be a good venue, although you'd have to limit the entry to 25-30 cars total. Suzuka is a resounding yes in my book. And do any of you have any thoughts on Autopolis?

Purist · 27 Mar 2006, 20:26 (Ref:1562660)

What do you guys think of running a round at Autopolis? It's long enough (2.904-miles), and should hopefully have adequate facilities, since it hosted a WSCC race in 1991.

JAG · 27 Mar 2006, 21:05 (Ref:1562709)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

What do you guys think of running a round at Autopolis? It's long enough (2.904-miles), and should hopefully have adequate facilities, since it hosted a WSCC race in 1991.

Isn't it covered in snow 6 months of the year or something ludicrous like that?

Purist · 27 Mar 2006, 21:40 (Ref:1562739)

I don't know about that. Of course, I'm not sure exactly where in the country it is, so it could be high enogh for good snowfall. The main thing I remember reading is that there are, or at least were, very few access roads. If Silverstone is any indication though, that can easily be rectified.

jhansen · 27 Mar 2006, 21:56 (Ref:1562750)

Group C ran the season ending race there in October of 1991.

Splatz the Cow · 3 Apr 2006, 11:45 (Ref:1568942)

Autopolis - one of the main things that I could glean from their website is the elevation changes - quite significant. Lots of corners, and good width, its a handy track that is not used so much as others. Why? I don't know, but possibly because its across in the West of Japan far from Tokyo, however there may be other issues. It looks a good track and I hope to go there this year, or if not definitely next year.

Tsukuba is not used for top level races. I don't know why, but I suspect it is to do with the layout.

Sugo is an easy choice and is one of the best tracks in Japan for elevation change and corner variety, with straights, and camber variations. A difficult track. One thing about Sugo, is the battle between better handling or better top speed - getting the balance just right is a nightmare. Sugo also boasts great scenery.

Fuji - fast umm fast, and er. fast. 1.4 km of front straight which is intially slightly uphill and then becomes downhill at the end. Fantastic viewing facilities and access for fans. Brilliant location although it takes a bit of time on the train or in car to get there, travelling through small countryside. Would they possibly use some of the track extensions to make it longer or more detailed? A brilliant venue regardless.

Suzuka - no brainer.

Motegi is long, with four long straights and some hairpins, with some esses; enogh to keep a driver interested before the next lap. This is in contrast to Fuji which is too plain, and risks being boring for a long race.

Okayama is the other track which is regularly used, and has a neat layout which is simple and compact. It is otherwise a place I know little about. But Super Gt will be there in four days, so keep an eye on the website and check it out. Afew years ago this track was called TI Aida.

Other tracks:

Sendai Hi-land
CP Mine
Tokachi

nsxr · 3 Apr 2006, 22:50 (Ref:1569609)

isnt the CP Mine circuit closing down?????

Splatz the Cow · 6 Apr 2006, 16:00 (Ref:1572384)

That's news to me.

Do you know why its closing down?

billnchristy · 6 Apr 2006, 23:59 (Ref:1572691)

I remember watching the little 30 min. JGTC shows speed used to show and they said Autopolis was built by a rich mad man that wanted to make an automotive amusement park. Apparently it is kind of hard to get to.

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