Fuji Speedway: Experiencing Japan’s 6 Hours of WEC Up Close
There are some places that just stick with you. For me, Fuji Speedway is one of those. You see pictures online — Mount Fuji perfectly framing the track, the clean lines of the grandstands — but being there in person hits differently.
In late September, I finally got to check it off my list for the World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Fuji, and honestly, I still don’t think I’ve come down from it. The sound, the crowd, the vibe — it all felt like this mix of calm precision and full-on racing passion that only Japan could pull off.
Getting to Fuji Speedway
We took an untraditional route compared to tourists that may come directly from Tokyo. We saved the trip to Fuji as part of the last leg of our trip which consisted of Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, Tokyo, and islands near Hiroshima (all by car!). We ended up driving towards the area of Fuji Speedway a day before and stayed in a small hotel overnight — one that we were lucky to get.
By the time we pulled into the track, you could hear the engines echoing through the hills. It wasn’t chaos or crowds pushing through gates. Everything was smooth, organized, and somehow still relaxed. We arrived right after gate open the morning of the 6 hr race and greeted by no lines or any sort of chaos. Most fans had camping setups with sophisticated, organized gear wearing their favorite team gear, smiling and with something on the grill — there’s this unspoken respect that’s just part of the culture.
Inside the Gazoo Racing Fan Zone
We had upgraded tickets for the Gazoo Racing Fan Zone, and honestly, it was worth every yen. The second we checked in, they handed out these exclusive GR racing jerseys — same colors, same design — and suddenly, we were part of this sea of black, red, and white.
Everywhere you looked, there were GR fans. Some had custom flags, others had the GR logo stitched on their backpacks or helmets. The whole area was filled with Toyota pride — live interviews, driving simulators, and tons of little displays showing off their racing history. You could tell how much love and effort went into making the experience feel special, not just like a sponsor area.
At the Gazoo Racing tent, there was no lack of merchandise for sale and very hard to not empty my wallet! They also had a stand for customizing your GR racing jersey via heat transfer vinyl. My wife picked out a few of her favorite vinyl designs and had them custom applied to her jersey for a customized experience. Did I mention that the designs were little cartoon dogs?
Overall, the GR experience wasn’t over the top, just really well done with respect to appropriate spacing, not being too "salesy", and existing as a true value add for race day.
The WEC 6 Hours of Fuji: The Race Comes Alive
When the race finally started, it was pure goosebumps. The Hypercars blasted off down the front straight, and that sound just lives in your chest. Each lap was this wave of noise and color — the GR010s, Ferraris, Porsches, and that deep growl from the GT cars.
The Lady Dames team really stood out to me. Their car looked incredible, and their pit crew was locked in all day. Watching them grind through those six hours was one of our teams to pull for just for the fact that it is a fully female driven squad in such a male dominated sport.
Fuji’s weather did its usual thing — sun, clouds, back to sun again. We were lucky for no rain that day. The mountains make it unpredictable, but it adds so much to the atmosphere. There’s something cinematic about seeing cars blast through the 1.5km straight with Mount Fuji hiding in the background.
The Culture and Cleanliness of Fuji Speedway
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a cleaner motorsport venue. Seriously — spotless. Fans brought their own trash bags, staff were everywhere helping, and even after a full day, the place looked like it had just opened.
The vendors were a dream for anyone into racing. Rows of little booths with collectible models, stickers, shirts, and all kinds of motorsport trinkets. I picked up a few things, obviously — couldn’t resist. It was fun seeing families and older fans doing the same, like a tradition passed down over years.
And then there was the food court — easily the most stylish I’ve ever seen at a track. Picture outdoor French café vibes: wooden stalls serving espresso, pastries, and crepes. People were casually sitting at little tables, watching the race on big screens, just chilling. The only downside here was that a majority of the vendors were completely out of their main dishes when we went for lunch, but that's probably on our end — user error!
Camping Culture at Fuji: Perfection and Personality
Out on the perimeter, the camping setups were unreal. Perfectly organized rows of vans and rooftop tents, each one looking like it came out of a magazine. Some had full kitchens, flags, even tiny viewing decks. It wasn’t just camping — it was a statement.
You could tell these people had done this for years, and they’d perfected it. Unlike many Western circuits where camping is about convenience, here it felt like an art form. Each setup reflected the owner’s personality and love for motorsport.
One highlight we noticed around "100R Corner" was the RECAMP setup. This was a full turn key sort of glamping setup complete with airstreams, permanent cabins, and other sort of camping setups. Instead of bringing your own camping gear to the track, you can simply rent one of these spots out with a trackside view. What a cool idea! Here's a video showcasing the RECAMP area.
The Final Hour: Golden Light and Gazoo Glory
As the race wound down, the whole place started to glow. The late afternoon light hit the mountains, and everything felt golden. The Gazoo Racing crowd came alive — waving flags, cheering, singing. The kind of energy that gives you chills even if you’re not a Toyota fan.
When the checkered flag dropped, it wasn’t chaos or people rushing out — it was celebration done right. Everyone stayed, clapping, taking photos, soaking in the moment.
On the walk back, I slowed down a bit, trying to take it all in — the sound of the last engines cooling, the smell of the asphalt, the faint hum of fans still chatting. That’s when it hit me how different this race was. Not just because of the cars or the setting, but because of the people. Every single detail felt like it mattered to someone.
Why Fuji Speedway Left Its Mark
Fuji Speedway has always been on my radar as a track to visit, but being there in person made me appreciate it on a whole new level. It’s more than just corners and straights — it’s a reflection of Japan’s spirit for doing things the right way.
And personally, it reminded me why I love what I do with Standing Start Co. capturing the essence of places like this. The color, the atmosphere, the story behind every circuit.
Leaving the track that night, Mount Fuji was faintly visible through the haze, and I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like the mountain was watching over the whole experience, just quietly approving of the chaos and beauty that had unfolded below.
Fuji Speedway isn’t just a racetrack. It’s a feeling — one I’ll carry with me for a long time.
