Suzuka to use short circuit

The World Touring Car Championship round at Suzuka in October will race on a short version of the track instead of the full Grand Prix layout.

The 5.8km layout will not be used by the WTCC as the long straights would not suit the touring car format, as well as limit each race to only nine laps.

Instead the race will take place on a shortened 2.2km course, which will allow 23 laps per race to reach the standard 50km race distance, which will suit the spectators and the cars reports Motorsport-Total.

The WTCC visits the Suzuka circuit for the first time this season moving from Okayama, which has hosted the Japanese round of the championship since its introduction in 2008.