JAF Grand Prix

History

The original JAF Grand Prix was set up in year 1969 as to promoting Formula Car events in Japan, which was the highest ranked race other than the Japanese Grand Prix. The first race in 1969 was a Formula Libre event and was won by Australian driver Leo Geoghegan driving an ex-Jim Clark Lotus 39-Repco V8. The 1970 race was won by reigning Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart driving a Brabham-Ford.

Then, after the brief suspension between 1971–1973 due to scandal, it was used as a pointed round in Formula 2000, Formula Two, and Formula Pacific events until 1986. Between year 1988 and 1990, it was named as a round of the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship. Since then the JAF Grand Prix was not held for 20 years.

In 2010 year, JAF Grand Prix was revived by JAF, named as 'JAF Grand Prix and Fuji Sprint Cup representing the venue, as a non-title race for the Formula Nippon and Super GT series as a season closer of both. The series is eligible for teams which participated 5 rounds in the respective series. A different rule set is used in JAFGP compared to their regular season.

The JAF GP consists of six separate races in 2010, and five races in 2011. Which two each for Super GT's GT500 class and GT300 class, and one(two in 2010) in Formula Nippon. The race distance is about 100 km, less than half of the normal race distance in regular season. Mandatory pit stop is not required in any races.

For Formula Nippon, the qualifying result of second race in 2010 was decided by top speed (measured at the end of straight) rather than lap time. In 2011 race it was changed with score, which determined by the top speed plus the time converted as points.

For Super GT, each of the two drivers in the team are driving themselves on a separated race.

Successive ballast, like final round in regular season, is not applied on Super GT participants. In addition, standing start, instead of rolling start is used in JAF GP races.

Titles are given separately on Formula Nippon, GT500 and GT300 participants, depends from the overall result in respective races.

In 2014 the non-Championship Fuji Sprint Cup was dropped. Instead, JAF Grand Prix is retained and named as a round of Super Formula.

Formula Events (1969–1990, 2014)

Notes:

1.^ – The grand prix had been awarded for winners of two classes (Formula Two and Formula Pacific) per event from 1979 to 1982. 2.^ – Two events were held in a year in 1978 and 1979.