MARCH 1, 2005

Toyota opens new Mt Fuji circuit

The Toyota Motor Corporation has inaugurated its new Fuji Speedway and says that it hopes to get a Grand Prix at the facility in the near future. The Japanese GP was held at Fuji in the 1970s but since 1987 has been held at Suzuka, a circuit which is owned by Honda.

The new facility, rebuilt at considerable expense to Toyota, was opened by Ralf Schumacher, Toyota's newest F1 driver.

The character of the Japanese track has not been changed enormously with the dominant front straight remaining as before.

The track will host its first event in May when the Japanese GT Series races there.