TOM’S will pre-open “CITY CIRCUIT TOKYO BAY” on October 28, and prior to this, business details were disclosed to interested parties.
TMS, which operates one of Japan’s top racing teams, will operate this EV kart circuit as an “urban mobility entertainment facility. At present, it is the only kart circuit in the 23 wards of Tokyo.
Nobuhide Tachi, Chairman of the Board and Representative Director, said at the beginning of the briefing, “Next year will mark 50 years since TMS was founded. It has been 50 years in the blink of an eye, but as a milestone, we are planning to take on the challenge of various new businesses. One of them will be unveiled today.
Goro Tamura, head of the Corporate Strategy Office and general producer of CITY CIRCUIT, said that as the company marks its 50th anniversary, it will work on four new business areas: EV mobility business, college (human resources development) business, digital business, and new business development business.
The new facility is the fourth initiative in the new business development area, which also aims to broaden the base of motorsports. Mr. Tamura emphasized the significance of establishing a circuit in the 23 wards of Tokyo, saying, “Circuits such as Fuji Speedway and Mobility Resort Motegi take two to three hours from Tokyo, but if we build a circuit in the city center, people from all walks of life can visit after school or after work.
By using EV carts, which the company is also developing, instead of standard engine-driven carts, the company can take advantage of their low noise level and the ability to run even in the middle of the night, even in urban areas.
In the digital business area, the company is working to use simulators to help prevent accidents involving the elderly, and is also developing vehicles that can be operated using only the hands or from a smartphone.
The CITY CIRCUIT is equipped with several kart-type racing simulators that faithfully reproduce the circuit’s outdoor course, allowing visitors to learn how to operate the karts and the course layout before driving on the actual course, and to compete against other drivers next to them. According to Tamura, the company is considering the possibility of allowing users to compete against karts running on the actual course in the future, and hopes to eventually create a world where people can participate in races even from their hospital beds.
The facility has a 400-meter-long outdoor course and a 50-meter-long indoor course, and a simulator is located on the side of the indoor course. Helmets can be rented, so you don’t need one, and long sleeves and pants are required for riding, so be careful what you wear in the summer.
The entrance, which will serve as the reception desk, will sell tickets, equipment sales and rentals, and original goods. The VIP room is located on the second floor of the building and will be used as a rich experience space in the Gulf area.
A separate seminary room unit is equipped with lockers and toilets, as well as shower and powder rooms. The company is considering adding sauna and BBQ facilities in the future.
In the outside area, there is a dedicated VIP parking lot (5 cars) and a zone for kitchen cars and other vendors. At the time of the interview, there were two kitchen cars selling hot dogs, but various kitchen cars will be open only on weekends.
On the outdoor course, visitors can drive an EV kart (EV KS-22), which is equipped with a specially developed power unit on a frame (Birel N35) used for general rental karts and has a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
The company held an EV karting event last November on a temporary course built in a parking lot in the Daiba area, and compared to the vehicle used in that event, the driver was able to firmly enjoy the sensation of acceleration with EV-like torque from the beginning of driving.
Unlike the temporary course, the road surface was newly paved and felt easy to drive on. Although the reclaimed land on the bay gives the impression of being flat, there is a small hill in the middle of the course, and the subtle undulations create a sense of depth. Incidentally, the facility’s simulator faithfully reproduces such details.
The outdoor course can be expanded by connecting the indoor course with the indoor course to create a 520-meter-long course layout that is capable of hosting the All-Japan Championships. On the day of the event, a demonstration was held of an All-Japan Championship car, capable of running at a maximum speed of 130 km/h, driving on the outdoor course, where it was seen that the car was running at an exceptionally high speed.
On the indoor course, an EV kart (EV KJ-22) for kids is available for infants to elementary school students to drive. The maximum speed is 28 km/h, but the speed can be controlled by remote control for safety. At night, projection mapping will be used to create a visual effect.
During the pre-opening period from October 28 to November 22, the fee structure is 6,000 yen for two hours, but the fee structure after that has also been announced.
Regular runs (6 minutes) on the outdoor course start at 3,500 yen during daytime hours and 4,000 yen during nighttime hours. A racing plan for up to 10 cars is also available, and races sponsored by the circuit will be held monthly.
As for the indoor course, regular runs (5 minutes) will start at ¥2,000 and up. After sunset, the price will be from 3,000 yen for projection mapping. Simulators for both adults and kids will be available from 1,000 yen for 7 minutes.
According to Isao Tanimoto, president and representative director, this facility will be operated on an experimental basis for the first five years, but it will be positioned as a flagship store, and the company plans to build such facilities nationwide in the future. Using Round One as a benchmark, the company hopes to open 100 facilities by 2030, including overseas expansion in Asia.
© Source travel watch
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