OCTOBER 9, 2000
Toyota and Mount Fuji
AS we suggested in April 1999 the Toyota Motor Corporation has confirmed that it is negotiating to buy the Fuji International Speedway, which is located close to its Higashi Fuji technical center, where the company is developing its racing engines.
Toyota refuses to say what it intends to do with the facility but a massive redevelopment is expected and it is likely that the track would bid for the Japanese Grand Prix contract in 2007. Fuji is currently 80% owned by Mitsubishi Estates with the remaining 20% being owned by a building contractor called Taisei. Toyota does not currently have a race track but rival Honda owns both Suzuka and Motegi.
If the deal does go ahead it is likely that Fuji will be rebuilt with a combined oval and road course so that it can be used both for Formula 1 and oval racing and for car testing.