Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka

Suzuka Circuit - Motopia theme park
see all photos »

On Sunday we headed off to the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. Taqvi had sorted out tickets before we left the UK. We thought that getting the tickets in the first place would be the most difficult part of our day, but we were wrong.

We had originally booked a 3 day ticket to the race including the practice day and qualifying so our intention was to book some cheap accommodation near the circuit and hop on the shinkansen (bullet train) down to Nagoya on the Friday evening after work. However being slow off the mark, we realised that ALL accommodation was booked up and there were limited trains available with seats. After initially conceding that we wouldn’t be able to make it, and trying to sell our tickets we managed to find some tickets although it set us all back a total of £100 (which was more than the tickets themselves!)

most of the Japanese fans got up and left – a fickle bunch

Entrance to the Suzuka Circuit
see all photos »

We set off early on Sunday morning to get the 7.30am shinkansen, which we almost missed due to a lack of communication with the other trainees about where to meet at Tokyo station. But the shinkansen lived up to its reputation and after whizzing along at 300km/hr we made it to Nagoya in about 90 minutes.

Once we made it to Nagoya we then embarked on a further mission to make it to Suzuka Circuit. For some reason the 40 min anticipated journey took as nearly an hour and a half. And even once we’d arrived we found we had a half hour trek just to get into the circuit. Poor Spence struggled along on crutches and I’m surprised he even managed to make it without collapsing.

Getting cosy with the Marlboro girls
see all photos »

The place was packed when we got there, but Taqvi and I managed to squeeze into a small spot on the bank by the Casio Curve. I’m pretty sure we had stolen someone else’s spot but after strategically hiding their bag and chairs we settled down on the bank and waited for the action to start. The noise from the cars was incredible, and it is very different actually watching it live than seeing it on TV. Without a leader board in front of us or a screen showing the rest of the track we were often left guessing as to what was happening around the other parts of the track, but when Schumacher’s engine blew with 17 laps to go, it was right in front of us! At this point most of the Japanese fans got up and left – a fickle bunch when it comes to sporting events it seems.