Adopt a photogenic display method
On 5 April 2024, the Honda RACING Gallery opened at the Suzuka Circuit. This was created to commemorate the spring of the 60th anniversary of Honda’s first F1 race, and there are two types of exhibition in the facility permanent exhibition and a special exhibition- where visitors can take a closer look at Honda’s winning machines.
The beauty of the form of F1 cars and engines can be admired
The 2024 F1 Japanese Grand Prix was a thrill for 102,000 spectators (on race day), with Red Bull Honda RBPT finishing one-two and Yuki Tsunoda scoring points with a 10th-place finish. On Friday 5 April, the first day of the Japanese Grand Prix, which was held in spring for the first time and coincided with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, the Honda RACING Gallery opened on the grounds of the Suzuka Circuit, right beside the Giant Ferris Wheel.
The Honda RACING Gallery is a renewal of the former ‘Racing Theater’, displaying more than 10 Honda F1 cars, three F1 engines, and a power unit, allowing visitors to experience first-hand the history of Honda’s F1 challenge, which began in 1964. The gallery is a place where visitors can directly feel the history of Honda’s F1 challenge, which began in 1964.
While in the past Honda’s successive F1 cars could be viewed at the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi and Honda’s headquarters in Aoyama, Tokyo (Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama), there was no permanent exhibition at the Suzuka Circuit, the sacred ground of Honda racing…. But there was no permanent display at the Suzuka Circuit, the sacred ground of Honda Racing… But now, in the spring of the 60th year since Honda’s first F1 race, a permanent gallery has been established at Suzuka.
The main feature of the gallery is its “photogenic” display method.
The special exhibition area does not always require reservations
The museum is decorated in black, and by shining a spotlight on the cars on display, visitors can appreciate the beauty of the form of F1 cars and their engines. Because there is no excess light, the shadows are vivid and it is easy to take clear photos of functional beauty, even with a smartphone.
Also, the permanent exhibition area on the ground floor has a 30-minute changeover system (admission capacity of 100 people), so visitors are less likely to stand in the background of the machines and create noise, making it easier for visitors to take their time viewing and photographing the cars, which is also a new feature (instead, the exhibition area on the first floor is open only during the F1 season). (Instead, on certain days, such as during the F1 season, booking is required to enter the permanent exhibition area on the first floor).
Incidentally, the theme of the permanent exhibition area on the first floor is “Honda F1: A Genealogy of Victory”. Starting with the Honda RA272 that won the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix in the center of the main hall, through the Williams Honda FW11B, the McLaren Honda MP4/5, and the Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B that Max Verstappen won the drivers’ championship in 2021. RB16B, to the iconic Honda F1 cars of the 1960s, 1980s, 1990s, and post-2000.
It is also interesting to note that on the backs of these cars, large panels display the numbers that symbolize each car, allowing visitors to enjoy the story of their victory from that number. During the three days of the Japanese Grand Prix (except during the race running time), the exhibition was packed with people, with reservations made in advance and there was even a waiting list.
On the other hand, the first basement floor is a special exhibition area. Reservations are not required at all times here and there is no specific admission capacity.
Until mid-June, the theme of the exhibition is “Honda F1 Japanese drivers”, focusing on the Japanese F1 drivers who fought with Honda. In the exhibition area, there were three brave cars: the Lotus Honda 100T, the Super Aguri Honda SA07, and the Scuderia Alfatauri Honda AT02. From summer onwards, there are plans to display racing machines from the SUPER GT, All-Japan Super Formula Championship, and Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race. If you visit Suzuka Circuit to watch a race or for leisure, this is a must-stop spot.
translated by DeepL