Source: REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] This week, Formula 1 returns
to Suzuka, Japan. The Suzuka Circuit holds a significant place in the history
of Formula 1 as one of the most iconic tracks. While it wasn’t the first venue
for the Japanese Grand Prix, it is often referred to as the “holy
land” and holds a special status in Japanese motorsports. The history of
the Suzuka Circuit predates the Fuji Circuit, which was the venue for the first
Japanese Grand Prix. The construction of the Suzuka Circuit was initiated by
Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda, and the track was designed by Dutchman
John Hugenholtz. Acquiring the land for the circuit was not without challenges,
as there was public misconception that Honda intended to build a racecourse
with grandstands. However, the Suzuka Circuit was ultimately completed on
September 20, 1962, and two months later, it hosted its first race, the
inaugural Japan Road Motorcycle Championship. This two-day event attracted over
100,000 spectators each day and introduced the Japanese people to the world of
“serious racing” for the first time. Subsequently, the Suzuka Circuit
evolved into a car-themed amusement park inspired by the model of Disneyland in
the United States. It became a popular destination for school trips, offering
visits to the Honda Suzuka Factory and Suzuka Circuit. Students had the
opportunity to learn about automobiles, enjoy the theme park, and even spend
the night at the Suzuka Circuit. This experience quickly gained popularity
among students from all over Japan, and in 1966 alone, more than 1 million
people visited the Suzuka Circuit theme park.