.png) Grand Prix Circuit (1990–present) | |
| Location | Mimasaka,Okayama Prefecture,Japan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°54′54″N134°13′16″E / 34.91500°N 134.22111°E /34.91500; 134.22111 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Owner | Aska Corporation (March 2012–present) Unimat Corporation (April 2004–March 2012) Tanaka International (November 1990–April 2004) |
| Broke ground | 1989 |
| Opened | 18 November 1990; 35 years ago (1990-11-18) |
| Former names | TI Circuit Aida (November 1990–April 2005) |
| Major events | Current: Super GT (1999–2019, 2021–present) GT World Challenge Asia (2022–present) Japan Cup Series (2022–present) FRJC (2020–present) Super Formula Lights (1994–1995, 1998–2020, 2022–present) Former: Formula One Pacific Grand Prix (1994–1995) WTCC Race of Japan (2008–2010) Super Formula (2007–2008, 2015–2020) Formula BMW Pacific (2009–2010) Formula V6 Asia (2008) Japan Le Mans Challenge (2006–2007) |
| Website | http://www.okayama-international-circuit.jp/ |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1990–present) | |
| Length | 3.703 km (2.301 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:14.023 ( Michael Schumacher,Benetton B194,1994,F1) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (2020–present) | |
| Length | 3.747 km (2.328 mi) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:29.889 ( Yuki Okamoto,Yamaha YZF-R1,2024,SBK) |
| Piper Circuit (1990–present) | |
| Length | 1.956 km (1.215 mi) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Company type | Kabushiki gaisha |
|---|---|
| Founded | Aida (part ofMimasaka),Okayama Prefecture,Japan (13 August 1988 (1988-08-13)) |
| Headquarters | Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan |
| Parent | Aska Corporation[1] |
Okayama International Circuit (岡山国際サーキット), formerly known asTI Circuit Aida (TIサーキット英田) before 2005, is a 3.703 km (2.301 mi) privatemotorsport race track inMimasaka,Okayama Prefecture,Japan.TI was the abbreviation of "Tanaka International" after the name of the golf club owner, Hajime Tanaka, though the name of the circuit was officially "TI Circuit Aida".
As well as hosting racing events, the circuit has rental facilities including bikes and go karts available.
The course was opened in 1990 as a private motor racing track for the wealthy.[2] Soon, it hosted its first race, staged by veteranBritish drivers.
In1994 and1995, the TI Circuit hosted theFormula OnePacific Grand Prix; both events were won byMichael Schumacher in his early title-winning years. This race made Japan one of only nine countries to ever host more than one Formula One event in the same year (Autopolis was planned to host a second Japanese race in1993, but it never came to fruition). It was discontinued primarily due to its location in a remote area of the country.[3] The event was also planned to host a race of the1996 International Touring Car Championship season in August to replace the F1 race, but the race was instead moved toSuzuka Circuit, held in November.
In 1999, defendingJGTC GT300 championShingo Tachi was killed when he tested a GT500 Toyota Supra after he suffered from a technical failure that prevented him from slowing down for the first turn.[4] Although there was no driver fatality in the JGTC orSuper GT race events beforehand, the incident occurred almost a year afterTetsuya Ota's near-fatal, fiery accident atFuji Speedway.
In March 2003, the Tanaka International Company, parent company of the official circuit owner TI Circuit Company, applied for civil rehabilitation. After the application, Unimat Holding Co., Ltd. announced that it would financially support the TI Circuit Company in keeping the facility open. The company was renamed Okayama International Circuit Co., Ltd. on 1 May 2004, and the circuit was renamed Okayama International Circuit on 1 January 2005.
On 26 October 2008, the circuit hosted a round of theFormula V6 Asia andFIAWorld Touring Car Championship. TheWTCC race was the first FIA world championship race since 1995. However, it was announced on 21 June 2010 thatSuzuka Circuit would host the Japan round of the 2011 WTCC season instead of the Okayama International Circuit.[5]
On 3 March 2012, Unimat sold the circuit to Aska Corporation, an auto parts manufacturing company.[1]
The outright unofficial all-time track record is 1:10.218, set by triple-world championAyrton Senna in aWilliams FW16, during qualifying for the1994 Pacific Grand Prix. As of August 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Okayama International Circuit are listed as:
