KOCHIRA FAMILY

KOCHIRA is a big approach to the secret of motorsports!

I wonder how many minutes it takes for the cars and bikes to go around Suzuka Circuit in a race?
What do you call the fastest time in a race?
Knowing the basics of motorsports will make watching more and more fun!
Let's all learn the basics of motorsports together with KOCHIRA!

Lesson 1Motor Sports Terminology

Qualifying	The qualifying determines the starting order for the final race. In Formula Nippon and Superbike, it is done by a method called "knockdown", where the drivers or riders with the fastest times remain. Therefore, the qualifying is also intense and truly a survival.
Pole Position	Only the driver or rider who set the fastest time in qualifying can start from this place. It's exciting to see what will happen in the race between the top driver or rider in terms of time competition.
Formation Lap Warm-up Lap	Before the start of the final race, it's a lap to start from the place where your car (bike) is placed (starting grid) and go around the course to reach the designated spot determined in the qualifying round.
Fastest Lap	The fastest lap in the final race. The fastest lap is constantly updated during the race, so keep an eye on the times set by the drivers and riders!
Overtake	Overtaking the car in front during a race, causing a change in order. Overtaking is a very difficult technique, but when overtaking happens frequently, the race becomes very intense and exciting!
Control Tower	The control tower overlooks the entire race and plays the role of a command post. It manages the intense race, ensuring safety and also measures the time during the race. There are also rescue staff within the course. The rescue staff follows instructions from the control tower to respond to troubles such as crashes. When there is a dangerous situation, such as a car stopping on the course during the race, the safety car will also be deployed!
Control Line	Timing line that measures time when the machine passes the control line. It becomes the standard for lap times and number of laps. The time is measured up to 1/1000 seconds. The control line is filmed with video and used for photo judging. At Suzuka Circuit, the control line during races is installed in front of the control tower.

Lesson 2What is this?

Leader Tower

The Leader Tower provides real-time updates on race positions and lap times during the race.
Be sure to check which drivers or riders have moved up in rank and the time difference, as it can be easily understood.
The Leader Tower also has hidden features (yesterday) that can display text and photos.
During races, make sure not to miss the event logos and photos of drivers and riders that are displayed!
Grid

Grid positions are arranged in order of the fastest times in the qualifying (time attack) results.
The grid shows the numbers and locations where cars and motorcycles stop. This is the grid number.
Most races start after checking the grid once on the course.
The order of the grid is important for advancing the race, so the fierce battle between drivers and riders has started from qualifying.
Podium

The podium is a place to honor the drivers and riders who fought through tough races.
Only a handful of three drivers and riders can stand on this podium.
At the podium, a ceremony is held to honor the results, and in the end, an exciting champagne fight awaits.
Let's celebrate all the drivers and riders who have achieved glory together!

Lesson 3Working Cars in Motorsports

Marshall Car

The marshal car is the one that rushes to the scene when trouble occurs on the course!
While appealing its presence with sirens and strobe lights, it prioritizes its mission to protect safety.
Safety Car

The safety car has the role of controlling the race cars running on the course.
Experienced drivers who know Suzuka Circuit inside out are driving.
High-specification ambulance
(koukikaku kyuukyuusha)

High-spec ambulances are able to rescue and treat drivers and riders.
There are many medical machines such as oxygen inhalers and AED (electric shock) inside the car, making it look like a hospital.
It's truly an amazing vehicle that can be called a "running hospital".
Road Sweeper
(Course Cleaning Vehicle)

A vehicle that cleans the sand and tire debris (worn tires) while driving on the racing course.
It will clean the course more and more with the brushes and suction machine attached on both sides.
The cleaning speed is top-notch, so it's very useful during busy races.
The accumulated garbage is stored at the rear of the vehicle and is disposed of when it reaches a certain amount.
2-Wheel Recovery Truck

This track is reliable when a bike stops on the racing course.
This track is a little different from what you see in the city.
You can even go to the bike and put it on the pit and come back with a big cart connected behind.
Crane Truck

The crane truck plays an active role in rescuing 4-wheel vehicles that have stopped on the racing course.
You can use the crane attached behind the driver's seat to lift, load, and transport the car.
Especially active in rescuing formula cars.
Hydraulic (yuatsu) cutter car

The hydraulic cutter car may look like a regular car driving around the city, but it is equipped with some amazing parts.
As its name suggests, the hydraulic cutter uses the power of oil to spread and cut obstacles, making it useful for rescue operations.
Even a car body that seems impossible to move with human power can be handled with a hydraulic cutter.
Fire extinguishing device (souchi) equipped vehicle

It looks like a wagon type car that you often see in the city, but it's actually an amazing car with fire extinguishing capabilities.
The secret is the fire extinguishing system installed behind the vehicle. This fire extinguishing system releases water at an incredible speed to extinguish any fires that may occur on the machine. Its ability is so great that it is also called a mini fire truck.
Water Sprinkler
(suisui-sha)

It's a car that sprinkles water stored in the tank attached to the back of the car.
When a large amount of dirt is attached to the racing course, it is sprayed all at once to clean the course.
In addition, we sometimes work with road sweepers to clean the course more efficiently.

Lesson 4Motorsports Flag

CHECKER FLAG

Flag indicating the end of the race. Widely known as a flag symbolizing the race.
Yellow Flag

Warning sign. Overtaking is prohibited in the area where this flag is displayed.
Orange Ball Flag

Signal to notify mechanical trouble on the vehicle. Can restart after repair in the pit.
Green Flag

Signal for course clear. The yellow flag will also be displayed at the end of the next section, in which case acceleration and overtaking will be possible.
Red Flag

Race interruption, danger signal for slowest or stop. Notify the race interruption, drivers and riders must immediately stop the competition and slowly return to the designated location.

Lesson 5Time Introduction

F1 machines run Suzuka Circuit in 1 minute and 30 seconds! This means they are running at an average speed of 232km/h. Furthermore, their top speed is over 300km/h, so they are incredibly fast. The bikes participating in the 8 Hours race complete one lap in 2 minutes and 10 seconds, with an average speed of 161km/h! Keep an eye out for the impressive performances of both two and four-wheeled vehicles!