The two largest Japanese circuits, Suzuka and Motegi, are owned by Honda. This gives an idea of the firepower of the Tokyo firm, but Yamaha and Kawasaki also have their training track, certainly less known, but nevertheless very real.
For Yamaha, it is the Sugo circuit, located four hours by car north of Tokyo (or 1h30 by Shinkansen).
Built in 1975, it offers a very technical route with slopes of up to 10% over its 3,586 kilometers. Its longest straight is 704 meters and the width of its track varies between 10 and 12 meters.
Renovated in 1987, the circuit has just started a new phase of work which should last until March 2022. This first operation concerns in particular the widening of the pit lane and the relocation of the medical center.
Sportsland Sugo is the only circuit where Yamaha could discreetly test its YZR-M1s with its national test riders Katsuyuki Nagasuga et Kohta Nozane.
The fact that the Japanese circuit is closed until March should not, however, have a significant impact on the development of the 2021 motorcycles. Maverick Vinales et fabio quartararo, the latter being generally frozen due to the regulations in the face of the health crisis.
On the other hand, according to our sources, the 2021 program of Cal Crutchlow to develop the Yamaha 2022 already appears very busy, with well over ten test dates planned…
