Fuji to close for redevelopment
The dramatic Fuji Speedway in Japan is set to close for up to a year and a half for major rebuilding work.
The Toyota-owned circuit will close following the Formula Nippon Race on September 1 for the redevelopment, which is being funded by the Japanese car maker.
A totally new layout will replace all but the one mile-long main straight and will bring the facility up to the latest international safety standards.
Construction work begins in October, with an April 2005 date pencilled in for re-opening.
The circuit in the foothills of Mount Fuji - a perfectly conical dormant volcano - was opened in December 1965, built as Japan's answer to the great American superspeedways. Initial plans called for a 2.5 mile, anti-clockwise oval circuit, with bank corners at each end. However funding dried up before both sets of banking could be completed, leaving the circuit as half speedway, half road course.
A series of monumental crashes lead to a rethink in 1974, when the racing direction was reversed and the fearsome banking bypassed. Further changes were added in recent years, when chicanes were added at the fast corners around the course, but facilities had fallen below international standard.
Toyota is believed to be bankrolling the renovation in a bid to steal the Japanese Grand Prix away from the Honda owned Suzuka circuit.
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