The
Okayama International Circuit (formerly known as
TI Circuit Aida) is a private
motorsport race track in
Mimasaka,
Okayama Prefecture,
Japan.
TI is abbreviation of "
Tanaka
International" after the name of the
holding company, though the name of the circuit was officially "TI Circuit Aida".
The course was built in 1992 as a private race track for the wealthy. Soon, it hosted its first race, staged by veteran
British drivers (which explains the circuit's corner names, such as
Hobbs and
Attwood).
In and , the TI Circuit hosted the
Formula One Pacific Grand Prix; both events were won by
Michael Schumacher in his early title-winning years. This race made Japan one of only six countries to ever host more than one
Formula One event in the same year. It was discontinued primarily due to its location in a remote area of
Japan.
In March, 2003, "TI Circuit Company" was transferred from "Tanaka International Company" to
Unimat Holding Co., Ltd. . Thus, the owner of the circuit was renamed
Okayama International Circuit Co., Ltd. on May 1, 2004 and the name of the circuit was changed from "TI Circuit Aida" to "Okayama International Circuit" on January 1, 2005.
On October 26, 2008, the circuit hosted a round of the
Formula V6 Asia and
FIA World Touring Car Championship. The
WTCC race was the first world championship FIA race since 1995. However, it was announced on June 21, 2010 that
Suzuka Circuit would host the Japan round of...
Read More