Sportsland SUGO

Sportsland SUGO in Miyagi Prefecture is owned by Yamaha Motor and operated by Sugo Co. Ltd.; it opened in May 1975 across 2.1 million square metres. According to Wikipedia the international car circuit measures 3.704 kilometres with twelve corners, has a 704.5 metre straight, is between 10 and 12.5 metres wide and covers 69.83 metres of elevation change per lap; the motorcycle configuration is listed separately at 3.737 kilometres with 15 corners. The circuit holds FIA Grade 2 and seats 50,000 spectators. Super GT, Super Formula and the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship run here; the Superbike World Championship raced here from 1988 to 2003 and a Motocross World Championship round from 2005 to 2007. The operator lists four dedicated courses of its own - road, west, motocross and trial respectively kart - and on that basis calls itself the only facility in Japan with this combination. The elevation change per lap is what shapes the handling: the suspension unloads through every fast section and is compressed again straight after, the front goes light downhill and the rear loads uphill. In fast sweepers the bike therefore starts to feel undecided. If it turns vague at speed, top of our cause list is not damping but the ride-height and sag balance - set sag properly before you touch a single click.