SBK Japan

Introduction

Circuit Length : 4,801 m / 2.984 mile

Max Straight Length : 762 m

Course Width : 12 - 15 m

Number of Pit : 45

Address : 120-1 Hiyama, Motegi-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Pref. 321-3597, Japan

A Lap of Motegi Circuit.

Courtesy of t.B

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Motegi is known as a stop and go circuit for good reason. It has a series of straights that are linked relatively low speed turns. Until the back section of the track there is very little in the way of what might be considered technical corners. With most of the turns being without cambre, changing radiuses or elevation. There is no doubt it is a 1000cc track, and it excels at that. It is a smile bringer, and a track that relies heavily on the rider understanding braking to post good lap times.

MAP.

A verbal lap of Motegi

Victory straight takes you past the finnish line, you will hit 5th gear,

Turn 1/2 The brake marker is a little after the 150m mark. (5~2nd gear)There is room up the inside but it is a drift braker and a lot of speed is carried in so late passes can be perilous here. The initial Apex is quite wide and you should carry speed to the mid corner where you complete the bulk of your turning, the Apex on two is late and it is very important to go in too early or it will effect your line and acceleration. Accelerate up to 4th gear

Turn 3/4 Brake after the 150m marker for the sharp left hander. Up the inside on brakes is a favorite overtaking spot due to the tight radius of turn 3 and the difference in speeds that can be generated depending on your exit from 2. Hit the gas before the apex and carry your speed across the arc between 3 and 4, up to 3rd gear and hold a wide line into 4. The higher gear and late exit will facilitate faster speeds that are crucial to the long sweeping exit of 4. Gas up to 5th gear. Brakes just after the 150m marker.

Turn 5 (5~2nd gear) Another favorite inside overtaking spot. 5 is a notorious crash area as the corner is over a 90% turn and has a low corner speed. Hold your entry until late and apex on the back side of the turn. Accelerate through 3rd and short shift into 4th before tipping into 6.

Turn 6 (4th gear) is a 130m radius turn, It is very fast and carries lots of lean angle hold 4th all the way to the 80 m brake marker.

Turn 7/8 (4-3rd gear) Shift down going into the first sweeping left that marks the start of the back esses. As soon as is possible open the throttle wide, straightenning the bike and carrying you in a straight line across the track. Hold your entry into 8. Brake and turn quickly to the right, straighening your exit onto the short straight into 9.

Turn 9 (3-2nd gear) at around the 70m marker brake into the 90deg+ left that is turn 9. It is another perilous turn, again due to its low speeds. Exit and accelerate up to 4th gear.

Turn 10 (4~2nd gear) Brake at about the 120m mark, hold the entrance and apex late, letting the bike drift out. The Apex is on the back corner. Straighten the exit and get on the gas early for the back straight. Accelerate to 5th gear on the back straight, this is the fastest part of the track, My fastest recorded speeds here on my GSX-R were 273Km/hr. Crest the hill and brake at about 180m mark.

Turn 11 (5~2nd gear) Hard braking on the down hill is required. This is another overtaking place. Timing on your brake release is vital here, as the corner is sharp and still going downhill. release the brakes before the apex and be on the gas as you hit the rumble strip. Shift under the bridge.

Turn 12,13,14 (3~2nd gear) Carry your speed in third past the left open apex of turn 12, your will stay banked on the left it is important to maintain speed here despite the immenant chicane that is looming. let the bike drift wide, straighten it down shifting takes place either before the chicane or mid chicane depending on your skill level. Either way ride over the first rumble strip, do not turn straight in, but carry a little more distance, either use the brakes or the downshift to tip the bike sharp right, making the apex later on turn 14. Turn 14 is particularly dangerous due to the fact that the chicane is slightly up hill, that elevation change stops right in the gas zone for those that apex early. This corner is famous for its dramatic high sides, and is by far the most technical in the whole circuit. carry your speed up to 5th gear past the pits (preferably on one wheel!!) over the finish line, and back to the first turn.