Mine Circuit
Central Park Mine Circuit (1991–2006)
LocationMine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Time zoneUTC+09:00
Coordinates34°08′35″N 131°06′12″E / 34.14306°N 131.10333°E / 34.14306; 131.10333
OwnerMazda (January 2006–February 2006)
CQ Motors (2002–January 2006)
OpenedNovember 1972
Closed28 February 2006; 17 years ago (2006-02-28)
Former namesNishi-Nihon Circuit (1976–1990)
Atsu Circuit (1972–1975)
Major eventsFormula Nippon (1977–1980, 1983–2005)
Japanese F3 (1994–2005)
JGTC (1994–2002)
JTCC (1985–1990, 1992–1997)
All-Japan Sports Prototype Championship (1992)
Central Park Mine Circuit (1991–2006)
Length3.331 km (2.070 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:14.618 (Japan Katsumi Yamamoto, Reynard 97D, 1997, Formula Nippon)
Nishi-Nihon Circuit (1976–1990)
Length2.830 km (1.758 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:01.447 (Japan Hitoshi Ogawa, Lola T90/50, 1990, F3000)
Atsu Circuit (1972–1975)
Length1.300 km (0.808 miles)
Turns7

Mine Circuit (みねサーキット) was a 3.331 km (2.070 mi) motor racing circuit in Nagao, Nishiatsu-cho, Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It used to be known as Nishinihon. The track closed in February 2006 as it was sold to Mazda for development purposes.[1]

It was one of the main circuits in Japanese motorsport; until 2005, every year, one or more races of the most important national categories, (the Japan GT Championship and Formula Nippon series) were held at this circuit.

Lap records

The official fastest race lap records at the Mine Circuit are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Central Park Mine Circuit: 3.331 km (1991–2006)[2]
Formula Nippon 1:14.618[3] Katsumi Yamamoto Reynard 97D 1997 Mine Formula Nippon round
Formula 3000 1:14.669[4] Jeff Krosnoff Lola T94/50 1995 F3000 Mine All Star
Group C 1:17.615[5] Geoff Lees Toyota TS010 1992 Inter-Challenge Cup Mine 500 km
Formula Three 1:22.842[6] Fábio Carbone Dallara F304 2004 Mine Japanese F3 round
JGTC (GT500) 1:23.186[7] Ryou Michigami Honda NSX (LA-NA2) 2002 CP Mine GT Race
GT1 1:23.940[8] André Couto McLaren F1 GTR 2001 CP Mine GT Race
Formula Toyota 1:27.933[9] Kohei Hirate Tom's FT30 2002 Mine Formula Toyota round
Group A 1:29.259[10] Kazuyoshi Hoshino Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR32 1993 Mine JTCC round
JGTC (GT300) 1:29.507[7] Masaoki Nagashima Toyota MR-S (ZZW30) 2002 CP Mine GT Race
GT2 1:29.948[11] Eiichi Tajima Porsche 911 GT2 1995 CP Mine GT Race
GT 1:32.418[12] Shinsuke Shibahara Porsche 911 (996) GT3-R 2000 CP Mine GT Race
Nishi-Nihon Circuit: 2.830 km (1976–1990)[2]
Formula 3000 1:01.447[13] Hitoshi Ogawa Lola T90/50 1990 Mine Japanese F3000 round
Group C 1:07.920[14] Kunimitsu Takahashi Porsche 962C 1985 Mine Super Cup
Group A 1:13.377[15] Kazuyoshi Hoshino Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR32 1990 Mine JTCC round

See also

References

  1. ^ "Motor Racing Japan – Mine Circuit". motoracing-japan.com. 1996. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Mine Circuit - Racing Circuits". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  3. ^ "1997 Mine Formula Nippon". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  4. ^ "1995 Mine Japanese F3000 - Round 3". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Mine 500 Kilometres 1992". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  6. ^ "2004 Mine Japanese F3". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Mine 250 Kilometres 2002". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Mine 250 Kilometres 2001". Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  9. ^ "2002 Eso Formura Toyota Series Round 7 Race 2". Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  10. ^ "93 All-Japan Touring Car Championship 1st round - Mine". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Mine 250 Kilometres 1995". Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Mine 250 Kilometres 2000". Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  13. ^ "1990 Mine Japanese F3000". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Super Cup Mine 1985". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  15. ^ "1990 All-Japan Touring Car 300 Km Race - Nishi Nippon West Circuit". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
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