Since its birth in 1962, Suzuka Circuit has hosted a large number of races like F1 Grand Prix, Road Racing World Championship and Suzuka 8hours Endurance World Championship.

The circuit held “Suzuka Circuit 50th Anniversary Day” in 2012 to celebrate its 50th birthday. “SUZUKA Sound of ENGINE” began in 2015 and this year is its 2nd year.

“Suzuka Sound of ENGINE” is its first historic event aiming to maintain the historical values toward the next 50 years. It invites a great number of historic motorcycles from all over the world and lets legendary engines resound, aiming for as admired a historic event as UK’s “Goodwood Festival of Speed” and America’s “Monterey Historic Automobile Races & Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.”

Furthermore, the event sets six categories this year. For example: Formula One legends; two-wheel racers who joined the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race in UK, which is believed to the origin of motorsports in Japan; and others. Each category provides attractive contents so as to help deeper understanding of the histories.

* The pictures are only for reference.
(from Sound of Engine 2015)

The below is citing from Suzuka Circuit’s press release

[Category 1] Group C – Monster machines having taken the world by storm

World Endurance Championship (WEC), races by machines called group c cars, started in 1982. They are competition for monster machines with unlimited displacement turbo engines over 1000 horsepower. In Japan, All Japan Sports Prototype Championship started in 1983.

At first, Porsche dominated the races with Porsche956 and 962C. Japanese automobile manufacturers gradually built up their strength and Toyoda, Nissan and Matsuda put their prestige on developing their own c-cars against Porsche. They finally beat Porsche and advanced into the world. In 1991, Matsuda 787B won the overall victory in 24 heures Le Mans as the first Japanese car, while Toyota overall ranked the second in 1992 and 1994. Nissan R91CP became the overall champion in 1992 in 24 Hours of Daytona in the US.

Competitive races by group-c cars have happened in traditional Suzuka 1000km, too. Such scenes have been handed down as legends.

Participant Vehicles

1982 Skyline Super Silhouette
1983 March 83G Silvia Turbo C
1985 Guppy MCS
1986 Porsche 962C
1989 MAZDA 767B
1992 NP35
1992 Nissan R92 CP

MAZDA 767B

Skyline Super Silhouette

Nissan R92 CP

[Category 2] Origin of Motorsports in Japan – Prince produces purely domestic car “R380” –

Prince Motor Company, which lost to Porsche 904GTS in the 2nd Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka in 1964, developed Japan’s first prototype car R380. Prince R380 whose driver was Yoshikazu Sunako was in a dead heat with Porsche 906 in the 3rd Japan Grand Prix and finally captured the victory. Prince avenged the defeat.

Participant Vehicles

1966 R380 (A-I type)

R380 (A-I type)

[Category 3] Formula of Legend

The first F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka in 1987 created a big boom. But, F1 itself began in 1950.

Many exceptional cars have appeared, a lot of good matches have happened, and many dramas have unfolded in the long history. F1 machines that colored the history will gather in Suzuka over the times.

* Participant vehicles are to be announced as soon as determined.

[Category 4] Japan once dominates the world, then falls behind the world
– WGP250 90s –

Japanese manufacturers had shined in World GPs and good Japanese riders showed up in GP250 class in the 1990’s. In 1993, Tetsuya Harada from YAMAHA won the title.

Japanese power dominated Japan Grand Prixes at Suzuka as well; however, they gradually began to fall behind other overseas manufacturers.

* Participant vehicles are to be announced as soon as determined.

[Category 5] Origin of motorsports in Japan – Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race –

In 1959, Honda entered the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race, the top of then motorsport races, together with four 125 cc machines. In 1961 of its 3rd year, Honda participated in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race again and captured the victories longed for in both 125 cc class and 250 cc class.

* Participant vehicles are to be announced as soon as determined.

[Category 6] Time Travel Parking

200 units of two-wheelers and four-wheelers that were produced before 1976 will gather in the dedicated space in the paddock in the Suzuka Circuit international course. Those vehicles colored Japan’s motorization.

Production vehicles as well as racing machines can enter the event. It must be amazing to see various vehicles from exceptional cars in the good old days to racing machines that built an era.

Time Travel Parade travelling the whole course will bring back vivid memories and scenes of those days.

TIME TRAVEL PARKING Application Guidelines

•Intended Vehicles
Two-wheelers and four-wheelers that were produced before 1976 (limited to 200 units). Both production vehicles and racing machines are available to apply.

•Condition of Participation
A participant shall provide its vehicle to display in the designated area (outside) in the paddock on either Saturday November 19 or Sunday November 20, or the both days.

* Those who can ride to Suzuka Circuit by themselves will be appreciated. For those who have no choice but bring its vehicles by other means, please contact us beforehand.
* No postponement for rain.

•Participant Privileges
1. Parking is allowed in the exclusive area for the paddock in the racing course.
2. A participant can participate in TIME TRAVEL PARADE riding the whole course of the international racing course once of each day.
* A designated vehicle will lead at 60 km/h
3. A participant will receive a number plate designed in an image of “SUZUKA Sound of ENGINE 2016” as a souvenir. Displayed vehicle name and the year of manufacture are put on the plate.

•Participation Fee
5000 Yen (tax included) per unit
* 3000 Yen (tax included) per unit from the second vehicle applied only for two-wheelers.
* 5 tickets for “SUZUKA Sound of ENGINE 2016” included.
* No different fee is set for participation for either Saturday 19 or Sunday 20, or the both days.

•Period to Apply
Sunday May 15, 2016 – Wednesday August 31, 2016

•How to Apply
1.Please apply online (https://www.suzukacircuit.jp/soundofengine/) (*Japanese)
2. Please contact the below if you would prefer by fax or mail.
SUZUKA Sound of ENGINE 2016 TIME TRAVEL PARKING Office

•Notice of determined participant vehicles
Participant vehicles will be determined after fair examination. The result will be informed by email within a week after an application arrives.

→ Read the full article (*Japanese)

Original Source [ MOBILITY LAND ] (*Japanese)