A modern circuit located in a mountainous and isolated part of the island of Kyushu, Japan, Autopolis is a high-quality circuit which has struggled to make ends meet over the decades.

An ambitious project in the mountains – Autopolis has echoes of the Okayama International Circuit, which was built around the same time in Japan, also in a rural location.

The circuit was founded by wealthy real estate developer and investment banker Tomonori Tsurumaki, with the venue estimated to have cost $500 million to develop.

The intention was clear – to attract Formula One. To this end, the circuit even sponsored leading F1 team Benetton Formula in 1990 and 1991. Alas, a Grand Prix never materialised after Tsurumaki’s company folded in 1993, and the only major race held by the circuit was a round of the 1991 World Sportscar Championship.

In 1995 the 4.6 kilometre circuit was sold, for just 10% of the cost to build it, to constructors Hazama. It was later sold to Kawasaki in 2005, who remain the owners to-date.

Predominantly hosting national races, including the Japanese Touring Car Championship from 1991 to 1994 and Super GT which first visited in 1999, the layout has remained unchanged for the past three decades.