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]

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; 51 years ago (1972-11)
Closed28 February 2006; 18 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

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

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The fastest official 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Motor Racing Japan – Mine Circuit". motoracing-japan.com. 1996. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Mine Circuit - Racing Circuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  3. ^ "1997 Mine Formula Nippon". Motor Sport Magazine. 18 May 1997. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  4. ^ "1995 Mine Japanese F3000 - Round 3". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 May 1995. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Mine 500 Kilometres 1992". 1 November 1992. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  6. ^ "2004 Mine Japanese F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 3 October 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Mine 250 Kilometres 2002". 27 October 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Mine 250 Kilometres 2001". 11 November 2001. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  9. ^ "2002 Esso Formura Toyota Series Round 7 Race 2". 21 September 2002. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  10. ^ "93 All-Japan Touring Car Championship 1st round - Mine". 14 March 1993. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Mine 250 Kilometres 1995". 1 October 1995. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Mine 250 Kilometres 2000". 1 October 2000. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  13. ^ "1990 Mine Japanese F3000". Motor Sport Magazine. 14 May 1990. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Super Cup Mine 1985". 27 October 1985. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  15. ^ "1990 All-Japan Touring Car 300 Km Race - Nishi Nippon West Circuit". 18 March 1990. Retrieved 11 January 2023.