Motegi, located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan is an ideal destination for motorsport enthusiasts. It boasts a race track, go-karting facilities, museums and more!
The track is divided into two distinct but connected roads. This necessitated the construction of an oval course within the road course, leading to one of Japan’s busiest tracks.
Oval Course
Twin Ring Motegi, Japan is home to an international-standard oval track. Constructed within the picturesque forest of Motegi, Japan, this circuit combines elements of both oval and road racing for an exciting mix. Each circuit has been designed and constructed according to the highest international standards.
Honda built the oval track as part of their efforts to introduce American open-wheel racing culture to Japan. It primarily hosted events for the CART series, but it also hosted various other racing programs.
Honda built the oval track in 1997 to promote their American open-wheel cars and engines to a Japanese audience. In 1998, it hosted the CART Championship series – marking the first time an oval track in Japan had been used by one of sports’ major events.
Motegi not only hosts the annual Moto GP race, but it is also host to many other types of races as well. The road course at Motegi is a popular place for motorcyclists to test their skills.
To encourage visitors to try their luck at the track, the facility also features a school and driving park. The school provides courses on stock car driving and kart racing while the driving park tests drivers’ skills with obstacles like collision avoidance, water splash and braking.
Honda designed the oval with their own needs in mind, yet they took great care to construct it in a way that would appeal to other auto manufacturers as well. It was intended as a low-banked oval that could accommodate various engine sizes and weights.
Though not intended as an oval for open-wheel racing, the track eventually hosted IndyCar races. These events continued until 2011, when Japan suffered massive earthquake damage that destroyed much of the track.
Since the earthquake, IndyCar has elected not to participate in long-haul overseas races, opting instead to focus on their domestic schedules. They have also announced that they won’t be returning the Indycar series back to Twin Ring Motegi in 2011.
At its opening, Motegi oval boasted several noteworthy attractions such as an impressive museum, hotel, restaurants and shops. A highlight is Honda Collection Hall – a massive showcase of restored motorcycles and cars. Additionally, visitors can explore Honda Fan Fun Lab to see their cutting-edge technologies firsthand.
Road Course
Motegi is home to Japan’s esteemed motorcycle Grand Prix, making it one of the world’s most renowned tracks. Built by Honda as an ultimate testing and showcase facility, this venue attracts motorsport fans year-round.
Opening in 1997, this facility is dedicated to promoting Japanese motorsports and Honda’s brand. It boasts two racing courses, a safety and riding school, an additional dirt oval and kart circuit, as well as hotels, restaurants, shops and event halls – including the iconic Honda Collection Hall that houses thousands of motorcycles and cars from Honda’s illustrious racing history.
Tochigi Prefecture’s track is located 145 km (90 mi) north of Tokyo and accessible by train or bus from Utsunomiya Station. After taking a 90-minute bus ride from there, visitors will arrive at the entrance to the track.
Japan’s only oval course used for competitive racing, this 1.549 km (2.493 mi) low-banked egg-shaped course features tight turns.
In addition to racing, the oval features the Honda Fan Fun Lab – a technology center that gives visitors an exclusive look at Honda’s future products. Furthermore, it hosts exhibition races for Formula Nippon and Super GT competitions.
Twin Ring Motegi is a popular destination for racers of all abilities and is an integral part of Honda’s racing development program. Indycar races have been held there since 1998.
Honda originally intended for the oval to be used for Indycar racing and it remained on CART’s schedule from 1998 until 2011. Unfortunately, in 2011 the Tohoku earthquake caused subsidence on the oval which made it unsuitable for competition – forcing Indycar onto a road course instead.
Twin Ring Motegi is renowned for its oval layout, but also for its competitive nature and stunning views of the valley below. It has been featured in many racing games such as Gran Turismo 4, Tourist Trophy, Gran Turismo PSP and Gran Turismo 6.
Unlike most oval courses that are built atop mountains to reduce noise, this road course was situated in the heart of a bowl of forest countryside. To ensure its success, careful consideration was given to preserving its natural surroundings while creating an effective race track design.
Museums
Motegi is an idyllic town filled with fascinating attractions and museums. Situated in Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture, it’s just over 100km away from Tokyo.
To really explore this region, it’s best to rent a car and take a road trip out there. Twin Ring Motegi is one of the main attractions – built by Honda with all kinds of cars and go-karts for visitors to get an insight into their speed and power. This complex offers great photo ops as well.
Visit the Honda Collection Hall, a museum that displays all types of Honda vehicles. With so much history behind it, visiting this attraction is definitely worth your while.
This museum is a must-visit for car enthusiasts! It boasts hundreds of exhibits, many in working condition. Here you can learn the fascinating histories behind each vehicle and motor from their inception. They are all neatly displayed and you can watch them start up as well. If you’re an admirer of Hondas, this place makes for a great way to spend some time admiring their impressive past.
Motegi offers several interesting sights to see, such as Mount Shiroyama and the Nissan Proving Grounds for testing off-road vehicles. Plus, there are plenty of other tourist attractions nearby so there’s something for everyone here – no matter their age or interests!
Other must-see attractions in Tochigi include Mobility Resort Motegi, a set of motorsports tracks built by Honda that features an oval and road course as well as a go-kart racetrack. Plus, you can camp there or ride a zip line!
Traveling to Mobility Resort Motegi is easy; just take either a train or bus from Utsunomiya Station and walk from there to the park.
The best part of visiting this town is that it’s so close to Tokyo that you can easily spend a day exploring its various attractions. It’s an enjoyable spot for visitors of all ages, making it worth taking a day trip from Tokyo.
Go-Karting
Go-Karting is an exhilarating experience that can build your confidence and sharpen your reflexes. Additionally, it increases serotonin levels – essential for mental health – making it the ideal way to spend an evening with friends or family, or as a team-building activity for coworkers.
Go-karting is an amazing sport for groups of all ages. Not only is it great fun, but also safe for both adults and children alike.
Karts are designed for safety, both children and adults, on modern tracks that offer more protection than ever before. You’ll have plenty of room to move around and you can race with friends or family members regardless of their age or physical ability level.
If you’re into motorsports, Twin Ring Motegi is a must-see. It hosts various races and other events where you can even see Honda’s top drivers in action!
Twin Ring Motegi is best known for its road course, but it also has a dirt track used for sprint and modified cars. Plus, every year the venue hosts the FIM Trials series.
Motegi offers a variety of racing events for spectators to enjoy, plus an incredible museum featuring thousands of motorcycles and cars from Honda’s racing history. Additionally, there is a safety and riding school, dirt track, kart circuit and hotel as well as shops and event halls.
Experience the thrills of racing by joining Twin Ring Motegi’s drive programs. Take a seat as passenger in one of their NASCAR (Stock Car), Midget or Dirt Track race cars operated by them – all available to rent!
Experience the thrills of go-karting! If you’re searching for an escape from everyday life, go-karting offers plenty of chances to unwind and bond with friends and family. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a great way to exercise together!
Go-karting is an exhilarating sport that can lift your spirits and give you an adrenaline rush that will leave you feeling pumped and ready to take on any challenge. Plus, its many benefits such as increased confidence, strength, enhanced reflexes, and enhanced concentration will all come into play when taking part.