FIA WTCC to race at Suzuka in 2011

The FIA World Touring Car Championship will move from Okayama to Suzuka for the 2011 Race of Japan. The change was announced today by the championship promoter KSO and Mobilityland Corporation that operates the Suzuka Circuit.

The WTCC Race of Japan has been held twice at Okayama International Circuit, in 2008 and 2009, and will take place there again this year on October 31st.

Marcello Lotti, CEO of KSO, commented: “We feel honoured to run the 2011 WTCC Race of Japan at Suzuka Circuit and we wish to thank the Mobilityland Corporation for opening the door to our championship that will benefit from this opportunity, especially in terms of commercial opportunities. The decision to move from Okayama to Suzuka next year was mainly led by commercial needs although we are very happy with our cooperation with the Okayama International Circuit that began in 2008. In these three years they have believed in the potential of WTCC and worked hard to help the WTCC Race of Japan become popular with the fans. Without the people at OIC and their enthusiasm it would have taken longer to export the championship to Japan. But WTCC is growing fast and every year we must provide more and larger spaces for hospitalities, VIP reception, commercial and promotional activities. The Suzuka Circuit will enable us to achieve this, especially after it was radically restructured to host the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix.”

Hiroshi Oshima, President of the Mobilityland Corporation commented: “It gives us great pleasure to host a meeting of the WTCC, the pinnacle of touring car racing. We intend to demonstrate the appeal and excitement of motor sport in a totally new light by making use of our resources both in software and hardware to the fullest as we embark on this new undertaking. I would like to pay my respects to the Okayama International Circuit for their efforts to promote the WTCC in this country since 2008, and to express my gratitude for allowing us to take over the honour of running this event.”