Remembering Japanese cars from the past

Family Album Treasures: Fuji Speedway 30 degree bank

One of the most famous parts of the old Fuji International Speedway was the 30 degree banking. Due to the track layout changes made in the middle of the construction the banking was actually the wrong way around. At the end of the straight cars would dive into a banked corner which suddenly ended. This resulted in one of the most dangerous corners ever made and had many casualties over its 19 years use.

When in 1986 the the Group 5 era ended and also the infamous banked corner was closed down on Fuji International Speedway, but never actually demolished. There is still a large piece left of the banking and apparently this Group 5 fan wished to say goodbye to the 30 degree bank:
Fuji International Speedway 30 degree bank
Fuji International Speedway 30 degree bank

I would certainly love to have such a picture in my family album! Whenever I visit Fuji International Speedway I’ll certainly make a similar picture! 🙂

Found at [Feel the beat @ Livedoor blog]

4 Comments

  1. Killua

    I didn’t quite get this part: “At the end of the straight cars would dive into a banked corner which suddenly ended”. Does this mean that the track surface tilted a bit to the left and suddenly the big banked right corner showed up? Do you have any picture of this? I would like to know. 🙂

  2. banpei

    I think this video will explain it at 1:08:

    As you can see the S30 is going full speed through the banked corner, the banked corner suddenly becomes flat followed by a sharp right turn (and another left turn).

  3. Killua

    Ah, I can see it now. Must have been very challenging for the drivers.

    Thanks for the video, too. S30s roaring and blasting at high speed are always good to see.

  4. seventhskyline

    Great pic!

    The bank was actually bypassed in the early 1970s. Vic Elford noted that unlike most bankings which rose up from the entry, you actually crested a hill and descended INTO the Fuji banking at 190-odd mph. This combined with the skills of budding sportscar pilots meant a number of brave but perhaps inexperienced racers met death or serious injury there.

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