With issues surrounding MotoGP going to Motegi still not fully resolved, the idea of racing at Suzuka continues to touch the lips of some riders, publications, and fans. Completely ignoring the fact that Suzuka is not FIM homologated, and was removed from the MotoGP calendar after the death of Daijiro Kato, the idea of “picking the next famous GP track in Japan” gets banded about as a solution to radiation and safety concerns at the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit.
Talking to a group of assembled journalists at the MotoGP test at Brno, HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto made it very clear, though through his labored english, that racing at Suzuka was not even an idea on the table, citing the aforementioned concerns over safety and homologation. Something must have gotten lost in translation however, as some Italian publications quoted Nakamoto-san implying the opposite, and that HRC would support MotoGP racing at Suzuka.
Feeling the situation had gotten out of hand, HRC has issued a statement clarifying Nakamoto’s position, the position of HRC, and the issues surrounding a race at Suzuka. Statement after the jump.
HRC Clarifies Position on Racing at Suzuka:
After sections of the media misunderstood comments made by HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto, Honda Racing Corporation would like to clarify its position on the possibility of hosting the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka instead of Motegi.
In an open call with International media on Monday 15th August in Brno, Nakamoto stated that, although he personally likes the Suzuka circuit layout, it would not be possible to race there instead of Motegi because the circuit does not hold the correct FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) homologation to host a MotoGP race.
During the interview, Nakamoto commented:
“Suzuka Circuit does not have the correct license. To achieve the proper homologation the FIM would ask for a lot of changes and we cannot do everything. A good example is the hairpin, the run off zone is too close, but there is a road behind so it’s impossible to move it any further. Without these kind of issues, Honda could consider Suzuka as an option, but at this moment we are not thinking about it”.
He continued:
“Personally, I like Suzuka, because of the circuit layout, with high speed corners and low speed corners, it’s a very good course for riders, a demanding and challenging course. Motegi is a little bit stop and go, overall I like the Suzuka layout more, but this is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with racing there in 2011″.
Source: HRC; Photo: Will Pittenger
Cant understand the FIM. SUZUKA has been extensively reworked to suit the F1 cars, but, there is a lot more run-off room than there used to be. I used to go there on a regular basis from 1990 to 1998.
How much room do they need at the hairpin? I know there is a big sand trap there, and lots of tyre bundles.
Its just a pity to see that track wasted for MotoGP. I watched a live coverage of the 2011 Suzuka 8 Hour Race this year, and noticed all new pit complex and heaps of run off areas. Maybe the FIM needs to redefine what it requires.
When I look at the Isle of Man racing and Suzuka, what a difference in safety between the two tracks.
That’s also why the IOMTT lost its backing by the FIM.
Too bad, I always thought Suzuka was such a bitchin track.