Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Japan’s famed Suzuka Circuit is undergoing two major course revisions, according to the track’s official website, www.suzukacircuit.co.jp.

The “130R” corner, the high-speed sweeper at the end of the back straightaway named for its 130-meter radius, will now have two-radii, an 85-meter initial radius and a 340-meter exit radius. Judging from diagrams on the website, the sweeper will begin sooner and should be faster due to the more open radius.

Another effect of the alteration is increased run-off room, which will include a new, paved recovery area at the exit of the turn.

The “130R” sweeper leads into the “Casio Triangle,” or the tight chicane before the start/finish straightaway. The new chicane’s entrance, a right-left transition, will be more open and closer to the exit of “130R.” After a short chute similar to the one in the old Daytona chicane, motorcycle racers will be funneled through a tighter, left-right transition, which exits into the sweeping entrance to start-finish straight.

Theoretically, the changes to the chicane will result in lower speeds into the following sweeper and a straighter shot onto the start/finish straight.

Automobiles racing at Suzuka will only use the first portion of the new chicane.

Both changes, which are scheduled to be completed in February, will result in about 10 feet being added to the overall length of the motorcycle course, which now measures 3.619 miles (5.824 km).