October 17, 2025

Beginner's Guide to Watching Motorsports STEP.1

Experience Your First Motorsports Viewing at Suzuka!

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STEP.1 What is motorsports?

Motorsports are sports that use vehicles (machines) such as cars and motorcycles to compete in "speed" and "skill."
Competing worldwide, the top-tier races include automobile racing like F1 (Formula One) and motorcycle racing like MotoGP™, both of which are held in Japan as well—F1 at SUZUKA CIRCUIT and MotoGP™ at Mobility Resort MOTEGI.

In addition to F1 and MotoGP™, various types of races are held worldwide, and the "2025 All Japan Super Formula Championship Round 11 & Round 12, The 24th JAF Suzuka Grand Prix" held on Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23 (National Holiday) is the highest level and fastest car race in Japan.

Trivia: What types (categories) of motorsports are there at circuits?: Formula Car Racing (F1, Super Formula, etc.)
Racing with machines designed exclusively for racing, featuring exposed tires

Touring Car Races (such as SUPER GT)
Racing with race-specific machines based on cars you usually see

Motorcycle Races (such as MotoGP™, All Japan Road Race)
Races using motorcycles specially built for racing, or races using production motorcycles modified for racing

Trivia: What is Super Formula?: The highest level and fastest car race in Japan, with speeds second only to F1, and at SUZUKA CIRCUIT, it holds the second fastest lap times following F1.
The machines used by each team, called "SF23," share many common parts and tires to ensure no performance differences. Therefore, the drivers' skills and the teams' strategies are the keys to winning! In other words, the highlights are the subtle tactics, such as who can drive the best and the timing of tire changes (pit stops).

Trivia: What are the rules of Super Formula?: A complete glossary of terms you often hear and should know when watching will be released soon.

Official Qualifying (QP = Qualifying Practice): A time trial to determine the starting positions (grid) for the final race. In this qualifying, you can see aggressive driving as drivers chase the best lap time.

Final Race: During the race, drivers must change tires at least once. Tire changes are completed in an average of just 6 seconds. Since positions can change during the pit stops, be sure to pay attention to the pit crew’s (vehicle maintenance staff) refined movements!

Overtake System (OTS): The overtake system temporarily boosts power when you press a button on the steering wheel. It can only be used for up to 200 seconds per race, and once used, it cannot be activated again for 100 seconds. The key is deciding when to use it.

Point System: The winner receives 20 points, 2nd place gets 15 points, 3rd place earns 11 points, and points decrease with each lower position. 10th place receives 1 point, and no points are awarded for 11th place or below. Points are also awarded in qualifying, with 1st place earning 3 points, 2nd place 2 points, and 3rd place 1 point. This tournament features a "one event, two races" format, with qualifying and the final race held on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The annual champion is decided by the total points accumulated from each race.

To STEP.2