The SBMRL heads to Japan to race Suzuka International Racing Course for leg 3 of the 2017-18 season. This will be the first time that we race at Suzuka, so it’s anyone’s guess how the drivers will take to unique track configuration. Originally designed in the early 1960’s as a test track for Honda, it first hosted an official Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1987.
Suzuka
The first thing anyone notices about Suzuka is the unique figure eight track arrangement. None of the other tracks the SBMRL has ever raced at is like it. The pit straight isn’t particularly long but the starting grid is pushed to the back of it. This means that even those on the front row will have to get up to a minimum of 3rd gear before they will reach the first corner. It’s a long, forgiving right hander that will allow the back of the grid to approach it aggressively.
This is followed by the famous “S” Curves, which wouldn’t be too much trouble to navigate without traffic. However, with the field all bunched together this will likely be a prime location for potential collisions. The Dunlop Curve can be taken flat out before the Degner Curve closes out the first sector.
The second sector is fairly short, with the Hairpin Curve coming shortly after passing under the overpass. There’s then a moderately long straight before the Spoon Curve. Hitting Spoon just right will be key to posting a fast lap, as the exit of Spoon takes cars onto the extremely long straight containing 130R and the bridge.
130R marks the start of sector three, and can be taken flat out. Any slowness coming out of Spoon will kill a good lap time. The lap finishes with the chicane at Casio Triangle, another slow point on the track. The chicane does make taking the pit straight at speed a bit more challenging, which will make the option to pit slightly more appealing if anyone is uncertain.
Starting Grid
After a second consecutive 2nd place finish Sheila Dinkum is the current leader in the driver standings and will therefore start at the back of the grid. At the front of the grid, Stevie Wondertyres will line up on pole with Bubba McQueen alongside him.
- Stevie Wondertyres (SR)
- Bubba McQueen (FR)
- Captain Slow (SB)
- The Stig (SB)
- Whiplash (SR)
- Launch Bornado (FR)
- Jaap Snellrijder (RM)
- Sheila Dinkum (RM)
Pit selection will be in order of team standings, which leaves us with the following:
- Regency Motors
- Force Ravenswood
- Sprite Racing
- Scandinavian Blitz
No driver has Japan as their home race this season.