The Suzuka Circuit in Japan is incredibly popular with racing drivers, so Andy Priaulx is really looking forward to going there for the first time for the next round of the FIA World Touring Car Cup this coming weekend. The WTCR Race of Japan will be held on the East Course layout, which at 2.243 kilometres (1.394 miles) is shorter than the one that has been used for Formula 1 racing since it was first used for the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987.
It is often at the top of the list of racing drivers’ favourite tracks as it has some amazing sections and corners. Andy has never been there, but has a good idea of what to expect when he goes on track in his number 111 Lynk & Co 03 TCR. “From what I can see from watching races on tv and being on the sim it is a really amazing track. As we are going to be on the shorter circuit that will be a factor and there will be lots of traffic in qualifying. I am sure it will be difficult to find a clear lap, but anyway qualifying is always super tight," said the Lynk & Co Cyan Racing driver “In Ningbo that first win was so near yet so far, so now I am going all out to get it. I am hoping for a strong weekend, and am feeling more and more confident in the car with every race. The races I expect will be really frantic, as it is getting near the end of the season and there is a lot to play for. I am hoping to be able to support Yvan and Thed as much as possible with the championship. I have had some bad luck, but now I need some really good luck. I have been training hard and, as usual, am fit and focused.” The track is on the main Japanese island of Honshu in the Mie Prefecture. It is on the coast and is just over 370 kilometres west of Tokyo. While it is a about a five hour drive to the capital, most people going there from Tokyo do so on the famous Shinkansen, which is better known by visitors as the bullet train. The track action for the WTCR Race of Japan starts on Friday (25th October) with the two free practice sessions from 08.30 to 09.15 and 10.15 to 10.45. This is then followed on the same day with qualifying for race one with Q1 from 13.00 to 13.30 (Q1), Q2 from 15.55 to 16.05 (Q2) and the first car in Q3 will start at 16.15.
The first race is on Saturday at 15.05 and is held over nine laps. On Sunday race two is at 10.00, which is also nine laps, then the 11-lap race three starts at 11.30. All these times are local, which is eight hours ahead of BST on Friday and Saturday and then nine hours ahead of GMT on Sunday, as the clocks change in the UK that weekend.