For this reading it is recommended to play the soundtrack of Gran Turismo 7.
As a motor fan in Madrid I have always looked with a certain affection and sadness to the Jarama circuit. Going through the tunnel under the María de Villota curve, the last one on the circuit, is like recognizing in the images James Hunt defeating Niki Lauda in the legendary 1976 championship (after disqualification) or Gilles Villeneuve and his historic victory in 1981, in in which the first five classified entered the finish line with a difference of 1.24 seconds.
That is why I look with envy at some of the initiatives that are taken in other places. Where you know what I am talking about is the Fuji Speedway, a track that is located at the foot of the most famous mountain in Japan and where the aforementioned Formula 1 championship of 1976 was decided and which crowned James Hunt in a deluge historical.
Since the year 2000, this circuit has been owned by Toyota. In recent years, the track has been a regular at the firm’s own competitions, the Japanese Touring Car Championship, the World Endurance Championship and has even come to host some Formula 1 events. For this it was deeply reformedas was the case in the 70s to host the first tests of this championship.
But what brings us here today are not the latest renovations to the circuit. It’s his hotel: the Fuji Speedway Hotel.
A perfect hotel for motor lovers
The hotel, owned by the Hyatt chain, has proposed to make the most of the track. In order to achieve the highest possible economic return, Akio Toyoda thought of this brand new luxury hotel as a great option for those who want to enjoy a very exclusive experience, always linked to the races.
For years, Toyota has wanted to leave behind its boring and bland signature image that came from the hand of its hybrids. Over time it has managed to convince with cult cars, such as the Toyota GT86, the Toyota Yaris inherited from the World Rally Championship or the rebirth of the Toyota Supra.
Much of the hotel has panoramic views of the circuit
But not only new releases lives this new image from Toyota. The firm has shown a firm refusal to build its entire future on electric cars, experimenting with combustion vehicles that run on hydrogen to keep their engines alive.
It is precisely in this context that it serves to frame the complex that Toyota has located next to the Fuji Speedway. So close that some rooms offer panoramic views of the circuit from their balconies. For those looking for something quieter, the other option is to book one of the private villas whose garage is surrounded by transparent glass to observe the guests’ car from the room. Everything looks like something out of Gran Turismo 7.
In the absence of action on the track, with the reservation of the hotel room you can also do the same with the circuit. a walk from two laps around the mythical track Japanese with the guest car or some of the sports cars (manual and automatic) that the circuit makes available to customers. An extra that, obviously, can be extended for the desired time.
Outside the circuit, it is possible to relax with some of the typical luxury hotel services (such as the sports pool or spa) or test yourself in the 30-minute sessions available to every guest in the racing simulator.
But the jewel in the crown is a museum with 40 pieces of cars of all times which extends the length and breadth of the first two floors of the hotel. And not just cars. Mechanical elements and posters from the different events held on the circuit have also been compiled. A sort of motor theme park at the foot of Mount Fuji.
