METROPOLIS STREET RACER: TOKYO DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE
by
Wolf Feather/Jamie Stafford
[email protected]
Initial Version Completed: November 15, 2002
FINAL VERSION Completed: December 1, 2002
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CONTENTS
Spacing and Length
Permissions
Introduction
Racing Tips: Braking
Racing Tips: Cornering
Racing Tips: Wet-weather Racing/Driving
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Shin-Nakamise Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Eki-Iriguchi Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Chikatetsu-Noriba Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Senso-ji Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Shin-Nakamise Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Asakusa Ni-Chome Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Asakusa-Chuo Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Kanko-Annai Nishi
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Akeido Higashi
Tokyo: Asakusa: Short: Asakusa Eki Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Umamichi Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Nuchi Sumida-Gawa Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Hato-bus Noriba Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Nakamise Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Asakusa Elementary
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Koen Nishi
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Senso-ji Iriguchi Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Beer-Biru Tonneru
Tokyo: Asakusa: Medium: Koen Kita
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Kenko-Center Higashi
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Nishi Sumida-Gawa
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Beer-Biru Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Asakusa Challenge
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Asakusa Eki-Iriguchi
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Sumida-Gawa North
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Koen Minami
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Asakusa Ni-Chome
Tokyo: Asakusa: Long: Asakusa Zenki
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Eki-Higashi-Guchi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Fukushikaikan Higashi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Plaza-Mae Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Shibuya Ichi-Chome Kita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Hachiko-Mae Higashi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Route 246 Nishi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Shibuya Ichi-Chome Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Youbinkyoko-Mae Higashi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Short: Eki Kita-Koukashita Nishi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Shibuya Hotel-Mae Kita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Marui Kousaten Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Syobo-syo Kita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Eki Minami Guchi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Miyashita-Koen Nishi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Shibuya Kita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Seibu-Mae Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: Shibuya Marui Kita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Medium: SegaWorld Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Koen-Dori Nishi
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Shibuya Marui Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: West Bus Depot South
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Shibuya Challenge
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Eki-Minami Koukashita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Tokyo Denryoku-Mae Kita
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Shibuya Kuyakusho-Mae Minami
Tokyo: Shibuya: Long: Shibuya Zeniki
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Business Gai Nishi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Eki Bus Noriba Kita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Odakyu Nishi-Gawa
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Ohme Kaido Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Odakyu Nishi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Bus Noriba Kita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Nishi Shinjuku Kita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Higashi Dori Minami
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Chuo-Dori Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Business Gai Minami
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Shinjuku Challenge
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Short: Shinjuku Gard Minami
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Shinjuku Hodokyo Shita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Bus Rotary Kita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Nishi Guchi Bus Noriba
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Kosyu Kaido Nishi II
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Kita Dori Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Shinjuku Restaurant Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Shinjuku Minami-Guchi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Tocho Dori Minami
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Tocho Kita-Dori Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Nishi Shinjuku 2 Chome
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Tocho-Dori Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Medium: Eki Nishi-Guchi Minami
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Shinjuku Ni-Chome Nishi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Nishi Shinjuku EkiKita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Eki Nishi-Guchi Kita
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Higashi Dori Kita II
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Ohme Kaido Nishi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Shinjuku-Gard Minami
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Nishi Shinjuku Ni-Chome
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Kosyu Kaido Nishi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Ohme Kaido Nishi II
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Sumitomo-Biru Higashi
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Nishi Shinjuku Restaurant
Tokyo: Shinjuku: Long: Shinjuku Zeniki
Diagrams
Contact
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SPACING AND LENGTH
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Check for appropriate font setting by making sure the numbers
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PERMISSIONS
This guide may ONLY be posted on FeatherGuides, GameFAQs.com,
PSXCodez.com, F1Gamers, Cheatcc.com, Absolute-
PlayStation.com, InsidePS2Games.com, RedCoupe, gamesover.com,
CheatPlanet.com, The Cheat Empire, a2zweblinks.com, Gameguru,
GameReactors.com, RobsGaming.com, cheatingplanet.com,
CheatHeaven, IGN, vgstrategies.com, hellzgate, Games Domain,
ps2fantasy.com, and neoseeker.com.
Permission is granted to download and print one copy of this
game guide for personal use.
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INTRODUCTION
First, Metropolis Street Racer is definitely NOT for the
casual racing gamer; those who view racing as continually
standing on the accelerator until the race ends will
DEFINITELY fail miserably in this game. While speed is
needed to clear the many tasks in Metropolis Street Racer,
the game focuses much more heavily upon racing skill and
racing style, with Kudos (points) awarded or detracted based
upon the player's performance.
Even accomplished racing gamers will find Metropolis Street
Racer quite challenging. This is especially true for those
who are not drift specialists, as drifting is essential in
this game. Combined with the length of the game, this means
that players will be returning to this game for a LONG, LONG,
LONG, LONG, LONG time!!!
This guide is designed to present driving instructions for
the Tokyo circuits in Metropolis Street Racer. Information
has also been taken from my General Racing/Driving Guide with
appropriate modifications.
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RACING TIPS: BRAKING
The first step in driving fast is knowing when, where, and
how much to slow down (braking). The braking zone will
differ somewhat for each car depending upon its strengths and
weaknesses. It certainly helps for the player to try a
Practice run to truly learn the circuits - including the
braking zones - before engaging in the actual events.
When looking for braking zones, try to find a particular
stationary object near the entry of each corner; it helps
tremendously if this object is far enough away from the
circuit that it will not be knocked over during a race. To
begin, try using the brakes when the front of the car is
parallel with the chosen stationary object. If this does not
slow the car enough before corner entry or if the car slows
too much before reaching the corner, pick another stationary
object on the following lap and try again.
Cars with a higher horsepower output will inherently attain
faster speeds, and will therefore require a longer braking
zone than cars with a lower horsepower output.
A final note on braking: To the extent possible, ALWAYS brake
in a straight line. If braking only occurs when cornering,
the car will likely be carrying too much speed for the
corner, resulting in the car sliding and/or spinning (a slide
or spin can mean the difference between winning and ending up
in last position at the end of a race.)
If nothing else, players should strive to become one of the
best 'breakers' they possibly can. This will essentially
force a player to become a better racer/driver in general
once the player has overcome the urge to constantly run at
top speed at all times with no regard for damages to self or
others. Also, slowing the car appropriately will make other
aspects of racing/driving easier, especially in J-turns,
hairpin corners, and chicanes.
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RACING TIPS: CORNERING
Ideally, the best way to approach a corner is from the
outside of the turn, braking well before entering the corner.
At the apex (the midpoint of the corner), the car should be
right up against the edge of the pavement. On corner exit,
the car drifts back to the outside of the pavement and speeds
off down the straightaway. So, for a right-hand turn of
about ninety degrees, enter the corner from the left, come to
the right to hit the apex, and drift back to the left on
corner exit. See the Diagrams section at the end of this
guide for a sample standard corner.
For corners that are less than ninety degrees, it may be
possible to just barely tap the brakes - if at all - and be
able to clear such corners successfully. However, the same
principles of cornering apply: approach from the outside of
the turn, hit the apex, and drift back outside on corner
exit.
For corners more than ninety degrees but well less than 180
degrees, braking will certainly be required. However, for
these 'J-turns,' the apex of the corner is not the midpoint,
but a point approximately two-thirds of the way around the
corner. J-turns require great familiarity to know when to
begin diving toward the inside of the corner and when to
power to the outside on corner exit. See the Diagrams
section at the end of this guide for a sample J-turn.
Hairpin corners are turns of approximately 180 degrees.
Braking is certainly required before corner entry, and the
cornering process is the same as for standard corners:
Approach from the outside, drift inside to hit the apex
(located at halfway around the corner, or after turning
ninety degrees), and drifting back to the outside on corner
exit. See the Diagrams section at the end of this guide for
a sample hairpin corner.
If there are two corners of approximately ninety degrees each
AND both corners turn in the same direction AND there is only
a VERY brief straightaway between the two corners, they may
be able to be treated like an extended hairpin corner.
Sometimes, however, these 'U-turns' have a straightaway
between the corners that is long enough to prohibit a
hairpin-like treatment; in this case, drifting to the outside
on exiting the first of the two corners will automatically
set up the approach to the next turn. See the Diagrams
section at the end of this guide for a sample U-turn.
FIA (the governing body of F1 racing, World Rally
Championship, and other forms of international motorsport)
seems to love chicanes. One common type of chicane is
essentially a 'quick-flick,' where the circuit quickly edges
off in one direction then realigns itself in a path parallel
to the original stretch of pavement, as in the examples in
the Diagrams section at the end of this guide. Here, the
object is to approach the first corner from the outside, hit
BOTH apexes, and drift to the outside of the second turn.
FIA also seems to like the 'Bus Stop' chicane, which is
essentially just a pair of quick-flicks, with the second
forming the mirror image of the first, as shown in the
Diagrams section at the end of this guide. Perhaps the most
famous Bus Stop chicane is the chicane (which is actually
called the 'Bus Stop Chicane') at Pit Entry at Spa-
Francorchamps, the home of the annual Grand Prix of Belgium
(F1 racing) and the host of The 24 Hours of Spa (for
endurance racing).
Virtually every other type of corner or corner combination
encountered in racing (primarily in road racing) combines
elements of the corners presented above. These complex
corners and chicanes can be challenging, such as the Ascari
chicane at Monza. See the Diagrams section for an idea of
the formation of Ascari.
However, in illegal street/highway racing, the positioning of
traffic can 'create' the various corners and corner
combinations mentioned here. For example, weaving in and out
of traffic creates a virtual bus stop chicane (see the
Diagrams section at the end of this guide). Slowing may be
necessary - it often is - depending on the distance between
the vehicles. See the Sample Circuit Using Some of the Above
Corner Types Combines in the Diagrams section at the end of
this guide; note that this is a diagram for a very technical
circuit.
At some race venues, 'artificial chicanes' may be created by
placing cones and/or (concrete) barriers in the middle of a
straightaway. This situation exists at numerous circuits in
Tokyo.
One thing which can change the approach to cornering is the
available vision. Blind and semi-blind corners require
ABSOLUTE knowledge of such corners. Here is where gamers
have an advantage over real-world drivers: Gamers can
(usually) change their viewpoint (camera position), which can
sometimes provide a wider, clearer view of the circuit, which
can be especially important when approaching semi-blind
corners; real-world drivers are obviously inhibited by the
design of their cars and racing helmets.
Also important to cornering - especially with long, extended
corners - is the corner's radius. Most corners use an
identical radius throughout their length. However, some are
increasing-radius corners or decreasing-radius corners.
These corners may require shifting the apex point of a
corner, and almost always result in a change of speed.
Decreasing-radius corners are perhaps the trickiest, because
the angle of the corner becomes sharper, thus generally
requiring more braking as well as more turning of the
steering wheel. Increasing-radius corners are corners for
which the angle becomes more and more gentle as the corner
progresses; this means that drivers will generally accelerate
more, harder, or faster, but such an extra burst of speed can
backfire and require more braking. See the Diagrams section
at the end of this guide for sample images of a decreasing-
radius corner and an increasing-radius corner.
For traditional road racing circuits, increasing-radius and
decreasing-radius corners may not be too much of a problem;
after several laps around one of these circuits, a driver
will know where the braking and acceleration points are as
well as the shifted apex point (should a shift be required).
However, for stage-based rally racing, where the roads are
virtually unknown and the driver knows what is ahead only
because of the navigator's instructions (which - based upon
notes - may or may not be absolutely correct), the unknown
can cause drivers to brake more often and/or more heavily.
This need for 'extra' braking is also tempered by the fact
that in much of rally racing, corners are either blind or
semi-blind, due to trees, buildings, and other obstacles to
clear vision all the way around a corner.
One particularly interesting aspect of cornering is one which
I honestly do not know if it works in reality (I am not a
real-world racer, although I would certainly LOVE the chance
to attend a racing school!!!), but which works in numerous
racing/driving games I have played over the years. This
aspect is to use the accelerator to help with quickly and
safely navigating sharp corners. This works by first BRAKING
AS USUAL IN ADVANCE OF THE CORNER, then - once in the corner
itself - rapidly pumping the brakes for the duration of the
corner (or at least until well past the apex of the corner).
The action of rapidly pumping the accelerator appears to
cause the drive wheels to catch the pavement just enough to
help stop or slow a sliding car, causing the non-drive wheels
to continue slipping and the entire car to turn just a little
faster. Using this rapid-pumping technique with the
accelerator does take a little practice initially, and seems
to work best with FR cars; however, once perfected, this
technique can pay dividends, especially with REALLY sharp
hairpin corners, such as several in London.
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RACING TIPS: WET-WEATHER RACING/DRIVING
Almost everything written to this point in the guide focuses
solely upon dry-weather racing/driving conditions. In fact,
most racing/driving games deal ONLY with dry-weather
conditions.
Metropolis Street Racer simply will not allow a player to
drive a circuit the same way in wet-weather conditions as in
dry-weather conditions. The braking zone for all but the
gentlest of corners will need to be extended, or else the car
risks to hydroplane itself off the pavement.
Throttle management is also key in wet-conditions racing.
Due to the water on the circuit, there is inherently less
tire grip, so strong acceleration is more likely to cause
undue wheelspin - which could in turn spin the car and create
a collision. If a car has gone off the pavement, then the
sand and/or grass which collect on the tires provide
absolutely NO traction at all, so just the act of getting
back to the pavement will likely result in numerous spins.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: SHIN-NAKAMISE KITA
This is a triangle-shaped venue run in a clockwise direction.
Turn 2 is definitely the sharpest of the corners, although
ALL corners are J-turns. As such, all three corners will
require drifting tactics.
The straightaway between Turns 3 and 1 is only two lanes
wide, whereas the other two straightaways are each four lanes
wide.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: EKI-IRIGUCHI MINAMI
This is roughly a trapezoidally-shaped venue run in a
counterclockwise direction. The initial straightaway is
definitely the widest part of this event venue.
At the end of the initial straightaway is a bridge for
(subway?) trains; the left-hand Turn 1 immediately follows.
Turn 1 is a nasty J-turn of roughly 150 degrees onto a narrow
alleyway; drifting will almost certainly be required here,
but even drifting may be too dangerous here due to the
incredibly-tight proximity of the barriers and the buildings
heading into the alleyway.
The straightaway between Turns 1 and 2 is nearly non-existent
before the circuit heads to the left at the 30-degree Turn 2.
This leads onto another tight, narrow alleyway; however,
unless encumbered by traffic, it should be fairly easy to
clear Turn 2 at full acceleration.
Turn 3 is a 45-degree left-hand corner leading out of the
alleyways and back onto normal, wide city streets. However,
the straightaway between Turns 3 and 4 is virtually non-
existent leading to the 135-degree J-turn at Turn 4.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: CHIKATETSU-NORIBA MINAMI
The Chikatetsu-Noriba Minami event venue is another mixture
of wide (four lanes) city streets and tight (single-lane)
alleyways. Turn 1 is a right-hand corner just a little more
than ninety degrees in radius; however, the circuit
transitions from the wide city streets to the tight alleyways
here, so precision driving is required to avoid incurring any
Penalties for collisions here.
Almost as soon as drivers have recovered from Turn 1, the
left-hand Turn 2 is ready to take them by surprise. Turn 2
is a left-hand corner leading onto another narrow alleyway.
The corner itself, however, is twice as wide as the
alleyways, so the temptation to swing out a bit on cornering
here will result in colliding with the fencing at the outside
of the entrance to this second tight alleyway.
Almost as soon as drivers have recovered from Turn 2 comes
the right-hand 135-degree J-turn at Turn 3. This transitions
back onto the wide city streets, allowing for plenty of room
for drifting tactics exiting the narrow alleyways.
After the longest straightaway of the Chikatetsu-Noriba
Minami venue is the right-hand J-turn at Turn 4. This is a
135-degree corner onto the initial straightaway, which is
also four lanes wide.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: SENSO-JI KITA
This is a fairly-rectangular event venue, part of which runs
through a traditional Shinto shrine area. Players truly need
to become quite familiar with this traditional Shinto shrine
area, as it is often used for events held in the Asakusa
sector of Tokyo.
The initial straightaway is fairly narrow, only two lanes
wide. This lessens very briefly to a single lane through a
small gateway-type structure at the Start/Finish Line.
Almost immediately afterward is the right-hand Turn 1, which
opens onto a city street which is four lanes wide.
At the next intersection, the circuit turns to the left onto
a narrower street which is only two lanes wide. Ahead, the
circuit turns to the right and re-enters the traditional
Shinto shrine area with a straightaway which is even tighter
but can still accommodate two-abreast racing with small cars.
The very end of this straightaway through the shrine area
provides two possibilities.
#1.) The easiest and fastest possibility is to keep going
ahead toward the temple itself, turning right at Turn
4 just in front of the temple itself.
#2.) However, immediately coming out of the covered
section of the straightaway, drivers may wish to
make the quick and TIGHT right-left chicane around a
smaller building. This will make the final right-
hand turn to the Start/Finish Line EXTREMELY tight,
but if there is an accident ahead clogging the main
raceway just in front of the temple, this is a viable
alternate route.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: SHIN-NAKAMISE MINAMI
This is a rectangular-shaped venue run in a clockwise
direction. Turn 1 leads onto the narrow covered passage
through the traditional shrine area. However, Turn 2 comes
well before reaching the temple itself; those who forget this
fact will definitely bang the barrier at Turn 2 and lose
several positions in a race.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: ASAKUSA NI-CHOME KITA
All corners at Asakusa Ni-Chome Kita are right-hand turns;
all corners are J-turns except Turn 2. The straightaway
between Turns 2 and 3 is only two lanes wide; the same is
true for the straightaway between Lanes 3 and 4, but the
lanes themselves are a bit wider here.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: ASAKUSA-CHUO MINAMI
The initial straightaway is two lanes wide. This can be
important for Turn 1, a right-hand J-turn opening onto a
street which is four lanes wide, thus allowing for plenty of
swing-out room while drifting for this corner.
Turn 2 is a 45-degree right-hand corner immediately before
the overhead subway bridge; in fact, going underneath the
bridge instantly results in slamming into a barrier.
However, Turn 2 leads onto a single-lane alleyway; the
slightest mistake here will result in a Penalty for colliding
with the buildings on either side.
After an all-too-short straightaway, Turn 3 is a left-hand
45-degree corner onto yet another single-lane alleyway. The
protrusions of the barriers into the raceway here can cause
trouble, so it is not really possible to fly through this
area at top acceleration.
Exiting the alleyway is Turn 4, a right-hand 135-degree J-
turn leading onto a four-lane city street. Drifting tactics
will help to maintain a good amount of speed here, and the
'extra' three lanes of width will permit good swing-out room.
Turn 5 is a right-hand corner of a little more than ninety
degrees. Drifting tactics may be useful here, but this
corner leads onto the initial two-lane straightaway.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: KANKO-ANNAI NISHI
This is Shin-Nakamise Minami with a shifted Start/Finish
Line.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: AKEIDO HIGASHI
Immediately past the Start/Finish Line, Turn 1 is a right-
hand right-angle corner which leads onto the tight, narrow
covered passageway of the Shinto temple grounds. At the
steps of the temple, the circuit makes another right-hand
right-angle turn for Turn 2, opening onto the longest
straightaway of the Akeido Higashi event venue; this
straightaway widens to two full lanes on a city street once
the circuit has left the temple grounds.
At the end of the long straightaway is the right-hand J-turn
for Turn 3. Due to the length of the preceding straightaway,
Turn 3 will have a rather lengthy braking zone. Drifting
tactics will definitely be of use in conquering Turn 3.
From the exit of Turn 3, the subway bridge can be seen ahead.
The right-hand 45-degree Turn 4 is IMMEDIATELY in front of
this bridge. A pristine racing line is needed to avoid the
protrusion of the apex into the raceway, especially since
Turn 4 leads back into the section of narrow single-lane
alleyways.
Ahead, Turn 4 is another right-hand corner. While less than
45 degrees in radius, the protrusions of the barriers and the
fencing can wreak havoc for those who attempt to speed
through this section at full acceleration. Turn 4 leads onto
the initial straightaway, which is not much wider than the
single-lane alleyway area.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: SHORT: ASAKUSA EKI MINAMI
This is a triangular event venue run in a counterclockwise
direction. All three corners are left-hand J-turns, but Turn
3 is the sharpest corner of the three turns. Drifting
tactics will be useful for Turns 1 and 2, but essential to
keeping up momentum throughout Turn 3.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: UMAMICHI MINAMI
This is a rectangularly-shaped venue run in a clockwise
direction. All corners are right-hand right-angle corners;
while drifting tactics are not essential, they can be helpful
at Umamichi Minami.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: NUCHI SUMIDA-GAWA KITA
JUST BEFORE entering the traditional Shinto shrine area, Turn
1 is a left-hand right-angle corner shortly beyond the
Start/Finish Line. This leads onto a short four-lane
straightaway. Turn 2 is a right-hand right-angle corner
leading onto a two-lane straightaway. Shortly afterward, the
right-angle left-hand Turn 3 empties onto the covered narrow
straightaway leading out of the temple grounds.
Turn 4 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto wider (four-
lane) city streets. Shortly afterward is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 5; with a wide racing line, Turn 5 can be
safely cleared without any braking or drifting. Turn 5
empties onto the longest straightaway of this event venue, so
the braking zone for the left-hand 135-degree Turn 6 (the
final corner) will be rather lengthy.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: HATO-BUS NORIBA KITA
This is a triangularly-shaped event venue run in a
counterclockwise direction. While there appear to be only
three corners on the circuit map, 'Turn 2' is a double-apex
corner, with the second apex much longer and much gentler
than the first. The first and last corners will certainly
require drifting tactics.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: NAKAMISE KITA
At the end of the short initial two-lane straightaway is the
left-hand right-angle Turn 1, leading onto a four-lane city
street. Turn 2 is a right-hand right-angle corner leading
onto a two-lane city street (although these lanes themselves
are fairly wide compared to the lanes throughout the rest of
the Nakamise Kita event venue). Turn 3 is a right-hand J-
turn (of approximately 100 degrees) leading onto a short
four-lane-wide city street.
Just beyond the subway bridge is the right-hand Turn 4, with
a radius of approximately sixty degrees. This empties onto a
VERY narrow two-lane street, but the apex of Turn 4 protrudes
somewhat into the raceway, so caution is definitely required
here.
After an almost non-existent straightaway, Turn 5 is a
thirty-degree left-hand corner onto a single-lane alleyway.
The apex protrudes into the raceway here as well, making
full-speed driving virtually impossible in this section of
the circuit.
Turn 6 is a gentle left-hand corner back onto the wide four-
lane city streets of Asakusa. Once again, beware the
protrusion of the apex; since Turn 6 opens onto such a wide
street, a wide racing line is certainly optimal here.
Turn 7 is a right-hand 135-degree J-turn onto another city
street which is also four lanes wide. It is important to
keep a wide racing line through Turn 7 and keep to the left
side of the ensuing short straightaway to create the optimal
racing line for the right-hand right-angle Turn 8, which
leads through the narrow covered passageway of the temple
grounds. The right-hand right-angle Turn 9 is immediately at
the end of the covered passageway, and leads to the
Start/Finish Line.
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TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: ASAKUSA ELEMENTARY
The Start/Finish Line is located within the covered
passageway through the temple grounds. At its end, the
circuit turns to the left (a right-angle corner) onto a four-
lane city street for Turn 1. Shortly afterward is Turn 2, a
left-hand 135-degree J-turn onto another wide city street;
drifting tactics must almost certainly be employed here.
This is followed almost immediately by the right-hand 45-
degree Turn 3, leading into the single-lane narrow alleyway
section of Asakusa.
At the end of the alleyway is the 45-degree right-hand Turn
4, leading onto a two-lane street. Almost immediately
afterward is the left-hand 45-degree Turn 5, leading back
onto the four-lane city streets.
Turn 6 is a left-hand J-turn onto a two-lane street; drifting
tactics will be needed here. At the end of the straightaway,
Turn 7 is the left-hand right-angle corner at the steps of
the temple.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: KOEN NISHI
The Start/Finish Line is located within the covered
passageway through the temple grounds. At its end, the
circuit turns to the left (a right-angle corner) onto a four-
lane city street for Turn 1. Shortly afterward is Turn 2, a
left-hand 135-degree J-turn onto another wide city street;
drifting tactics must almost certainly be employed here.
Turn 3 is a right-hand 45-degree corner onto a narrow two-
lane street. Almost immediately afterward is the left-hand
45-degree Turn 4 with a protruding apex; Turn 4 exits onto a
single-lane alleyway.
Almost immediately afterward is the left-hand 45-degree Turn
5, leading back onto the four-lane city streets.
Turn 6 is a left-hand J-turn onto a two-lane street; drifting
tactics will be needed here. At the end of the straightaway,
Turn 7 is the left-hand right-angle corner at the steps of
the temple.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: SENSO-JI IRIGUCHI KITA
Turn 1 is a right-hand J-turn opening onto a four-lane city
street. Ahead is an overhead subway bridge; the 45-degree
right-hand Turn 2 is immediately beyond this subway bridge
and leads onto a narrow two-lane street. At the second
intersection ahead, the circuit makes a left-hand J-turn onto
a wide four-lane city street, making drifting tactics quite
useful here.
Ahead is the right-hand J-turn for Turn 4, leading onto
another four-lane city street; drifting tactics should be
used for Turn 4. One city block later is the right-hand
perpendicular corner leading back onto the covered passageway
of the temple grounds. At the steps of the temple itself is
the right-hand right-angle Turn 6, leading onto the long
initial straightaway.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: BEER-BIRU TONNERU
This is a rectangularly-shaped event venue with a slight
nose-shaped protrusion along one side. This is also the
first event venue in Asakusa to make use of the curving
tunnel, a section that players will need to know very well.
Also, from the Start/Finish Line, briefly looking back will
reveal a large carrot atop a building; this will be a good
landmark to use when racing counterclockwise on those Asakusa
circuits making use of the tunnel.
Turn 1 is a right-hand right-angle corner. This leads onto a
four-lane city street which is incredibly long. After a long
braking zone, Turn 2 is a right-hand right-angle corner
leading to a four-lane bridge over the river. On the other
side of this bridge is the right-hand right-angle Turn 3
which opens onto a two-lane straightaway almost directly
underneath an elevated highway.
The road 'underneath' the elevated highway bends to the left
just before the right-hand right-angle Turn 5, which opens
onto the two-lane road which will curve around to the left
through a tunnel (forming Turn 6). Almost as soon as the
raceway exits the tunnel is the right-hand right-angle Turn
7, leading onto the initial straightaway (over a bridge) and
to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: MEDIUM: KOEN KITA
The Start/Finish Line is located near the beginning of a
four-lane bridge over a river. On the opposite side is the
left-hand right-angle Turn 1, which opens onto another four-
lane city street. Ahead, Turn 2 is a 45-degree corner to the
right IMMEDIATELY in front of the overhead subway bridge;
Turn 2 leads onto a narrow two-lane street. Almost
immediately afterward is another right-hand right-angle
corner, this time onto another two-lane street.
At the end of this section is the left-hand right-angle Turn
4, leading onto a four-lane city street. Ahead is the 45-
degree left-hand Turn 5, which can be taken at full
acceleration as it leads onto another four-lane city street.
Across the bridge over the river, look on the upper-left side
for the gigantic carrot atop a building; before the building,
look for an elevated highway. IMMEDIATELY on the other side
of the elevated highway is the left-hand right-angle Turn 6.
This opens onto a two-lane street which enters a tunnel and
curves to the right (Turn 7). Exiting the tunnel, the
circuit makes a left-hand right-angle turn (Turn 8) onto a
two-lane street. Finally, at the end of this lengthy
straightaway is the left-hand right-angle Turn 9, leading to
the Start/Finish Line just beyond corner exit.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: KENKO-CENTER HIGASHI
The circuit map for Kenko-Center Higashi makes this event
venue look identical to the medium-length Koen Kita event
venue, but there are indeed a few differences. Most notably,
there are no narrow alleyways to contend with at Kenko-Center
Higashi.
The initial straightaway is four lanes wide. Ahead is the
45-degree left-hand Turn 1, which can be taken at full
acceleration as it leads onto another four-lane city street.
Across the bridge over the river, look on the upper-left side
for the gigantic carrot atop a building; before the building,
look for an elevated highway. IMMEDIATELY on the other side
of the elevated highway is the left-hand right-angle Turn 2.
This opens onto a two-lane street which enters a tunnel and
curves to the right (Turn 3). Exiting the tunnel, the
circuit makes a left-hand right-angle turn (Turn 4) onto a
two-lane street. At the end of this lengthy straightaway is
the left-hand right-angle Turn 5, leading onto a four-lane
bridge over the river. On the other side of the bridge is
the left-hand right-angle Turn 6.
Ahead, the black-and-yellow right turn sign/barrier can be
seen. Note that this is WELL before the overhead subway
bridge. This corner (Turn 7) is a 105-degree turn onto a
two-lane street leading back toward the shrine area.
However, just before entering the temple grounds is the left-
hand right-angle Turn 8, which leads back toward the
Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: NISHI SUMIDA-GAWA
The Start/Finish Line is on a bridge over the river, with the
cars facing the building with the massive carrot at its top.
Turn 1 is the left-hand right-angle corner between the
massive carrot and the overhead highway. Turn 1 leads onto
the two-lane street which then enters the tunnel and curves
to the right (Turn 2); the left-hand right-angle Turn 3 is
immediately upon exiting the tunnel.
At the end of the long two-lane straightaway is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 4, which leads onto a wide four-lane bridge.
At the end of this bridge is another right-angle left-hand
corner (Turn 5) onto another four-lane road.
Turn 6 is a right-hand 45-degree corner coming WELL before
the overhead subway bridge; this corner opens onto a two-lane
street headed back toward the shrine area. Just before
entering the temple grounds, however, the raceway makes a
left-hand right-angle turn onto a four-lane city street to
form Turn 7.
One city block later is the left-hand right-angle Turn 8,
going back to a narrow two-lane street; almost immediately
afterward is the 45-degree left-hand Turn 9, which leads onto
a single-lane alleyway. Almost immediately afterward is the
right-hand 135-degree J-turn for Turn 10, back onto a four-
lane city street. At the end of this street is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 11, leading back to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: BEER-BIRU MINAMI
The Start/Finish Line is at the end of a bridge over the
river. Looking back, players can see the gigantic carrot
behind them.
Immediately after the Start/Finish Line, the circuit fades
slightly to the left; one city block later, the circuit makes
a right-hand right-angle turn into the long covered
passageway at Turn 1. IMMEDIATELY at the end of this covered
passageway is the right-hand right-angle Turn 2 onto a two-
lane street. One city block later, the circuit makes a left-
hand right-angle turn onto a four-lane city street.
After two city blocks, the circuit makes a right-hand right-
angle corner (Turn 4) onto a two-lane city street; the lanes
here are rather wide, so this is really a 'three-lane' city
street. After two city blocks, the raceway makes a left-hand
right-angle corner at Turn 5 onto yet another four-lane city
street. At the next intersection, Turn 6 is a right-hand
right-angle corner leading onto a four-lane bridge over the
river. At the end of the bridge is the right-hand right-
angle Turn 7, which leads onto the two-lane street almost
directly underneath the elevated highway.
The road 'underneath' the elevated highway bends to the left
just before the right-hand right-angle Turn 8, which opens
onto the two-lane road which will curve around to the left
through a tunnel (forming Turn 9). Almost as soon as the
raceway exits the tunnel is the right-hand right-angle Turn
10, leading onto the initial straightaway (over a bridge) and
to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: ASAKUSA CHALLENGE
Forthcoming
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: ASAKUSA EKI-IRIGUCHI
From the Start/Finish Line on a bridge over the river, look
on the upper-left side for the gigantic carrot atop a
building; before the building, look for an elevated highway.
IMMEDIATELY on the other side of the elevated highway is the
left-hand right-angle Turn 1. This opens onto a two-lane
street which enters a tunnel and curves to the right (Turn
2). Exiting the tunnel, the circuit makes a left-hand right-
angle turn (Turn 3) onto a two-lane street. Finally, at the
end of this lengthy straightaway is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 4, leading across another bridge over the river.
At the end of the bridge is the left-hand right-angle Turn 5.
A few city blocks later is the left-hand obtuse-angle Turn 6,
which can be taken at full acceleration with a pristine
racing line; care must be taken, as Turn 6 leads onto a
narrow two-lane street leading back to the temple complex.
At the steps of the temple is the left-hand right-angle Turn
7. The raceway narrows for the covered passageway area.
Halfway along the covered passage is the left-hand right-
angle Turn 8 leading onto a two-lane-lane street. One city
block later, the raceway heads back to the right for the
right-angle Turn 9, then ahead is the left-hand 45-degree
full-acceleration Turn 10 onto the bridge which contains the
Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: SUMIDA-GAWA NORTH
Sumida-Gawa North is a relatively fast event venue, with
really no tricky sections and plenty of long straightaways.
It is due to the length of the straightaways that drifting
tactics can be quite useful here, as that will allow cars to
carry more speed through the generally-perpendicular corners.
From the Start/Finish Line on a bridge over the river, look
on the upper-left side for the gigantic carrot atop a
building; before the building, look for an elevated highway.
IMMEDIATELY on the other side of the elevated highway is the
left-hand right-angle Turn 1. This opens onto a two-lane
street which enters a tunnel and curves to the right (Turn
2). Exiting the tunnel, the circuit makes a left-hand right-
angle turn (Turn 3) onto a two-lane street. Finally, at the
end of this lengthy straightaway is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 4, leading across another bridge over the river.
At the end of the bridge is the left-hand right-angle Turn 5.
A few city blocks later is the left-hand obtuse-angle Turn 6,
which can be taken at full acceleration with a pristine
racing line; care must be taken, as Turn 6 leads onto a
narrow two-lane street leading back to the temple complex.
At the steps of the temple is the left-hand right-angle Turn
7. The raceway narrows for the covered passageway area. At
the end of the covered passageway is the left-hand right-
angle Turn 8, flowing out onto a four-lane street which will
lead to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: KOEN MINAMI
Here, the Start/Finish Line is located at the beginning of a
bridge over the river. One city block beyond the bridge (and
the quick fade to the left) is the right-hand Turn 1, a
right-angle corner onto the temple grounds.
At the steps of the temple is the right-hand right-angle Turn
2. Just after leaving the grounds is the right-angle right-
hand Turn 3, leading onto a four-lane street. Several city
blocks later is the left-hand right-angle Turn 4 onto a
narrow two-lane street. Almost immediately after Turn 4 is
the left-hand 45-degree Turn 5 onto a very narrow single-lane
alleyway; the apex protrudes into the raceway, so a somewhat-
wide racing line and plenty of cautious braking is needed
here. Almost immediately after Turn 5 is the left-hand 45-
degree Turn 6 back onto a four-lane city street; again, the
apex protrudes into the raceway, but since Turn 6 empties
onto such a wide city street, a wide racing line is extremely
easy to accomplish here.
Several city blocks later is the right-hand Turn 7, a right-
angle corner leading onto the second bridge over the river.
On the other side of this bridge is the right-hand right-
angle Turn 8 which opens onto a two-lane straightaway almost
directly underneath an elevated highway.
The road 'underneath' the elevated highway bends to the left
just before the right-hand right-angle Turn 9, which opens
onto the two-lane road which will curve around to the left
through a tunnel (forming Turn 10). Almost as soon as the
raceway exits the tunnel is the right-hand right-angle Turn
11, leading onto the initial straightaway (over a bridge) and
to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: ASAKUSA NI-CHOME
Asakusa Ni-Chome is a relatively fast event venue, with
virtually no tricky sections and plenty of long
straightaways. It is due to the length of the straightaways
that drifting tactics can be quite useful here, as that will
allow cars to carry more speed through the generally-
perpendicular corners.
The Start/Finish Line is located at the halfway point of the
longest straightaway of the Asakusa Ni-Chome event venue.
This makes the braking zone for the right-hand right-angle
Turn 1 (leading onto a four-lane bridge over the river)
rather lengthy on a hotlap. On the other side of this bridge
is the right-hand right-angle Turn 2 which opens onto a two-
lane straightaway almost directly underneath an elevated
highway.
The road 'underneath' the elevated highway bends to the left
just before the right-hand right-angle Turn 3, which opens
onto the two-lane road which will curve around to the left
through a tunnel (forming Turn 4). Almost as soon as the
raceway exits the tunnel is the right-hand right-angle Turn
5, leading onto another four-lane bridge over the river.
One city block beyond the bridge (and the quick fade to the
left) is the right-hand Turn 6, a right-angle corner onto the
temple grounds. At the steps of the temple is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 7. Just after leaving the grounds is the
right-angle right-hand Turn 8, leading onto a four-lane
street.
At the end of this long street is the left-hand J-turn Turn
9, requiring plenty of drifting to maintain speed. This
leads onto the four-lane straightaway leading to the
Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: ASAKUSA: LONG: ASAKUSA ZENKI
Available ONLY in Time Attack Mode, this venue allows players
to roam freely along those routes used in the Asakusa sector
of Tokyo.
====================================
====================================
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: EKI-HIGASHI-GUCHI
Despite the inexplicable protrusion on the circuit map, this
is a more-or-less oval-shaped event venue run in a
counterclockwise direction. As at most event venues in
Shibuya and Shinjuku, there are plenty of medians to make
events much more difficult than they really need to be >:-(
The Start/Finish Line is at the entrance of Turn 1, a left-
hand hairpin corner. The corner itself is narrower than the
straightaway leading to Turn 1, and is essentially semi-blind
due to the barriers forming the apex.
Coming out of Turn 1, the raceway widens to a four-lane city
street. However, the third lane almost literally disappears,
replaced by a bus shelter, while the right-most lane goes to
the right around this bus shelter.
Immediately afterward is the left-hand Turn 2, another
narrowed hairpin corner which leads onto the other four-lane
city street forming this event venue.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: FUKUSHIKAIKAN HIGASHI
Fortunately, medians are lacking at this triangularly-shaped
event venue run in a clockwise direction. The Start/Finish
Line is at the exit of Turn 3, which leads onto a four-lane
city street.
Ahead, Turn 1 is a right-hand J-turn leading onto an
ascending two-lane city street. At its top is the right-hand
J-turn at Turn 2, which marks the crest of the Fukushikaikan
Higashi event venue as it turns onto another two-lane city
street which descends to the right-angle right-hand Turn 3.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: PLAZA-MAE MINAMI
Back at the bus station, the Start/Finish Line is actually at
the mid-point of a quick left-right chicane!!!
After a quick fade to the right is the left-hand hairpin
corner for Turn 1. This leads onto a three-lane city street
with a fourth lane on the right side of the raceway; this
fourth lane then goes a little further to the right and
around a large median. After the median, the three other
lanes (forming the main part of the raceway) all slide one
lane to the right to rejoin the right-most lane.
To the left at the end of this straightaway are two support
pillars for the overhead covered pedestrian bridge. After
the SECOND pillar is the left-hand right-angle Turn 2. It is
important to note that the corner is after the SECOND pillar
because this is not always the case for events held in
Shibuya.
The narrowed left-hand hairpin corner for Turn 2 is rather
dark, even in clear conditions in the midday hour, due to the
lengthy shadows. It will be difficult to spot darker-colored
cars here, so it is important to instead look for brake
lights and/or tire smoke from wheel lock.
Turn 2 leads out onto another three-lane city street.
Remember that the Start/Finish Line is at the mid-point of
the chicane.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: SHIBUYA ICHI-CHOME KITA
The Start/Finish Line is located along a 'straightaway' which
is actually a long extended curve. It is important to keep
to the right side of this 'straightaway' to set up the best
possible racing line for Turn 1.
The left-hand Turn 1 is a right-angle left-hand corner
leading to a dip underneath a bridge. At the top of the dip
is the left-hand right-angle Turn 2, which requires a wide
racing line to avoid the median bisecting the following four-
lane city street.
At the end of the median is the left-hand right-angle Turn 3.
This leads onto the four-lane city street which contains the
Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: HACHIKO-MAE HIGASHI
This is a roughly-rectangular event venue back at the bus
station area. Events here are run in a clockwise direction.
The end of the initial three-lane straightaway has a bus
shelter on the right, with the right-most lane going around
it. It is best to keep to the main raceway (the left-most
lanes), as they provide the best racing line for the right-
hand right-angle Turn 1.
The 'short chute' between Turns 1 and 2 dips underneath a
bridge. Due to the inherent darkness (because of the
shadows), it will be difficult to spot darker-colored cars
here, even during clear conditions in the midday hour.
At the top of the dip is the right-hand right-angle Turn 2.
Note that the initial barrier on the inside gives away BEFORE
the actual corner, so look instead for the second barrier
(the white barrier with the red trim) to pick the apex point
for Turn 2.
The next straightaway is three lanes wide, and continually
fades from side to side.
Turns 3 and 4 are also right-angle right-hand corners.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: ROUTE 246 NISHI
Forthcoming
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: SHIBUYA ICHI-CHOME MINAMI
This is a fairly-straightforward rectangularly-shaped event
venue run in a clockwise direction. Most straightaways are
four lanes wide. Turn 2 is a J-turn, whereas Turn 3 is about
65 degrees. Beware the median in the middle of the raceway
at the exit of Turn 3.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: YOUBINKYOKO-MAE HIGASHI
This is another fairly-straightforward rectangularly-shaped
event venue, but this time it is run in a counterclockwise
direction. The 'front stretch' and the 'back stretch' are
both four lanes wide, whereas the two 'short chutes' are two
lanes wide. Turn 2 is the highest elevation of the
Youbinkyoko-Mae Higashi event venue; Turn 4 is the lowest
elevation of the Youbinkyoko-Mae Higashi event venue.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: SHORT: EKI KITA-KOUKASHITA NISHI
The Start/Finish Line is on a four-lane city street just
beyond the exit of the final corner of this event venue.
ahead, Turn 1 is a left-hand 45-degree corner leading up a
slightly-ascending two-lane city street. At the crest of the
hill is the right-hand J-turn, which empties onto another
two-lane city street which descends a little more abruptly.
Turn 1 can be handled at full acceleration, but drifting
tactics WILL be required to maintain much speed throughout
Turn 2.
At the base of the hill is the right-hand right-angle Turn 3.
It is easy to overlook this corner, however, as its outside
barrier (painted green and white) tends to blend in with the
other colors in this area of the event venue. Care musts be
taken to use a wide racing line for Turn 3, as there is a
thin median bisecting the four-lane raceway at the exit of
this corner.
At the end of the median is the right-hand right-angle Turn
4; this is a somewhat-protracted corner, so a wide racing
line is best to avoid inadvertently banging the inside
barrier here. After the short chute is the right-hand right-
angle Turn 5; the Start/Finish Line is at the exit of Turn 5.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: SHIBUYA HOTEL-MAE KITA
This is a more-or-less triangularly-shaped event venue run in
a clockwise direction. The Start/Finish Line is near the top
of the venue (which is at Turn 3). The initial straightaway
is a semi-steep descent all the way from Turn 3 down to Turn
1. Turn 2 is a nasty right-hand J-turn which begins the
long, slow, gentle ascent to Turn 3. Except the initial
straightaway, the other 'straightaways' each contain several
multi-directional fades... some of which are indicated with
easily-visible arrows.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: MARUI KOUSATEN MINAMI
There are two thin consecutive medians bisecting the four-
lane the initial straightaway; the Start/Finish Line is near
the beginning of the first median on the right-hand side of
the raceway.
Turn 1 is a left-hand 135-degree J-turn onto a two-lane city
street; drifting tactics will definitely be needed here.
After an almost non-existent straightaway is the left-hand
45-degree Turn 2 (leading onto another four-lane city
street), which can be taken at full acceleration.
Turn 3 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto a two-lane city
street. After a brief straightaway, Turn 4 is a left-hand
right-angle corner leading to the Start/Finish Line and the
initial straightaway; the best racing line here is a wide
line out of Turn 4 to avoid the medians in the middle of the
raceway on corner exit.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: SYOBO-SYO KITA
The Start/Finish Line is near the bottom of a steep two-lane
incline. Turn 1 is a left-hand 105-degree corner at the
crest of the circuit; drifting tactics may be useful here.
The straightaway coming out of Turn 1 is several lanes wide,
beginning the long, slow descent of the circuit. Turn 2 is a
left-hand 75-degree corner; slight or perhaps moderate
braking will be needed here to ensure avoiding the barriers.
At the bottom of the circuit is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 3. There are a pair of consecutive medians bisecting
this four-lane raceway, so a wide racing line out of Turn 3
is best.
At the end of the second median is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 4, leading to a short chute underneath a subway bridge.
Unfortunately, even in clear conditions at the midday hour,
it is EXTREMELY dark underneath this bridge due to the
shadows, so quickly spotting darker-colored vehicles will be
virtually impossible; look instead for brake lights and/or
tire smoke from wheel lock.
The right-hand right-angle Turn 5 is immediately on the other
side of the bridge (back in the sunlight if competing in
clear daylight conditions). After a short straightaway is
the left-hand right-angle Turn 6, which begins the upward
trend of the raceway and leads directly to the Start/Finish
Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: EKI MINAMI GUCHI
Returning to the bus station area, this is a U-shaped event
venue. The Start/Finish is immediately at the exit of Turn
6, which cars beginning events here lined up IN Turn 6
itself.
The initial straightaway is three lanes wide. Turn 1 is a
right-hand hairpin corner with the raceway doubling back upon
itself; the hairpin corner itself is only about two lanes
wide, but it opens up onto a FIVE-LANE city street.
The circuit then makes a semi-wide swing to the right (Turn
2). On the other side of the two-lane dip (underneath the
subway bridge) is the right-hand Turn 3, leading onto a
three-lane city street.
Like Turn 1, Turn 4 is a right-hand hairpin corner with the
raceway doubling back upon itself; the hairpin corner itself
is only about two lanes wide, but it opens up onto a three-
lane city street.
Halfway along the ensuing straightaway, the raceway has a
left-right mini-chicane. Then comes the left-hand right-
angle Turn 5, leading to another two-lane dip underneath the
subway bridge.
Finally is the left-hand Turn 6. This is actually a J-turn
with an immediate swing back to the right to straighten out
just as cars pass underneath the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: MIYASHITA-KOEN NISHI
At the end of a long four-lane straightaway, the left-hand
right-angle Turn 1 has two racing lines. There is a median
bisecting the four-lane dip, so it is best to use a TIGHT
racing line for Turn 1 to make the left-hand right-angle Turn
2 much easier; using a wide racing line at Turn 1 turns Turn
2 into a VERY nasty J-turn.
After another long straightaway, the left-hand right-angle
Turn 3 opens onto a four-lane city street bisected by a
median. A wide racing line for Turn 3 will avoid the median
and set up a good racing line for the left-hand right-angle
Turn 4.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: SHIBUYA KITA
Virtually ALL corners at Shibuya Kita are J-turns. As such,
drifting tactics will need to be employed for EVERY CORNER.
The Shibuya Kita event venue begins with the Start/Finish
Line near the beginning of the initial three-lane
straightaway. This is a fairly short straightaway up to the
left-hand J-turn at Turn 1. This passes underneath a bridge,
where it is VERY dark even in clear daylight conditions in
the midday hour.
Immediately on the other side of the bridge is the right-hand
J-turn for Turn 2. There is a median in the middle of this
four-lane raceway, but there really is no 'optimal' racing
line here. A tight racing line at Turn 2 will make the
right-hand J-turn at Turn 3 easier, whereas a wide racing
line in Turn 2 (the better racing line) will require a MUCH
sharper cornering angle at Turn 3 because the end of the
median is so close to the corner itself.
After a quick two-lane straightaway, the circuit heads back
to the left at Turn 4 with a J-turn. This leads onto a four-
lane street, which makes a right-hand J-turn (Turn 5) onto a
two-lane city street which ascends to the right-hand J-turn
at Turn 6, the highest elevation of this event venue.
Following Turn 6, the circuit heads steeply back downhill (on
a two-lane city street) to the right-hand right-angle Turn 7.
The Start/Finish Line is almost immediately upon corner exit.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: SEIBU-MAE MINAMI
This is a rectangularish-shaped event venue run in a
counterclockwise direction. The end of the initial four-lane
straightaway is bisected by a thin median. The 'short chute'
between Turns 3 and 4 is a four-lane dip bisected by support
pillars for the overhead subway bridge. Also, the 'back
stretch' has a fast right-left chicane about 2/3 of the way
along its length.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: SHIBUYA MARUI KITA
This is an elongated version (elongated by one city block) of
Seibu-Mae Minami run in a clockwise direction, and with the
Start/Finish Line positioned alongside the first median.
Also, the raceway underneath the subway bridge is reduced to
two lanes, as ALL traffic is forced into the same two lanes.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: MEDIUM: SEGAWORLD MINAMI
The 'initial straightaway' actually comprises Turns 1 and 2
as well. Turn 1 is a left-hand corner, while Turn 2 is a
right-hand corner. Both Turn 1 and Turn 2 are sixty-degree
corners which can generally be taken at full acceleration...
but this really does require a PRISTINE racing line and DRY
racing conditions with CLEAR visibility. Especially in wet
conditions (whether during the day or at night), this is a
particularly difficult section of the circuit due to the high
speeds which are usually attained along this 'initial
straightaway.'
Turn 3 is a right-hand J-turn which will definitely require
drifting tactics. Following Turn 3, the circuit heads
steeply back downhill (on a two-lane city street) to the
right-hand right-angle Turn 4, which leads onto a three-lane
city street. After TWO city blocks (the straightaway makes a
dogleg to the right after the first city block), the circuit
makes a left-hand J-turn onto a two-lane street underneath a
pair of subway bridges.
After this brief section, the raceway heads back to the right
again with another J-turn (Turn 6) onto a four-lane city
street bisected by a thin median. Following this are two
right-hand right-angle corners connected by a four-lane
'short chute.' The Start/Finish Line is shortly beyond the
exit of Turn 8.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: KOEN-DORI NISHI
This is a rather odd event venue which will likely prove to
be difficult to master.
The Start/Finish Line is at the top of a short but steep
descending two-lane city street into the left-hand Turn 1, a
J-turn which will require some drifting. The next section is
a three-lane city street which curves gently to the right
(Turn 2), and then suddenly makes a tight right-hand right-
angle turn (Turn 3) onto a four-lane straightaway initially
bisected by a thin median; a wide racing line is best for the
Turns 2-3 complex.
The four-lane straightaway out of Turn 3 is the longest
straightaway of the Koen-Dori Nishi event venue... and it
also contains numerous fades in the section near the bus
station. VERY good knowledge of this section of the circuit
will be required in order to speed through this area at full
acceleration without banging the barriers.
At the end of this long straightaway is the right-hand
hairpin corner marking Turn 5. It is best to keep a wide
racing line here and go to the left side of the bus shelter
on corner exit; trying to go to the right side of this bus
shelter would result in a tighter, slower racing line.
However, along this three-lane straightaway, it is important
to NOT build up too much speed, as the circuit makes a left-
hand sixty-degree turn at the first intersection (Turn 6);
the three-lane city street also makes s slow, steady ascent
up to the right-hand NASTY J-turn at Turn 7, which opens up
to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: SHIBUYA MARUI MINAMI
There are two consecutive thin medians bisecting the four-
lane initial straightaway; the Start/Finish Line is at about
the midpoint of the first median, with all cars beginning
events here on the right side of the initial median.
Turn 1 is a left-hand J-turn requiring drifting tactics. The
brief ensuing straightaway is VERY dark as the cars pass
underneath a subway bridge; even in clear daylight conditions
at midday, it will be VERY difficult to spot darker-colored
cars underneath this bridge.
IMMEDIATELY after the bridge is the right-hand J-turn marking
Turn 2, opening onto a short three-lane straightaway. After
one city block, the circuit makes a right-angle left-hand
turn (Turn 3) onto a two-lane straightaway and climbs a steep
hill up to the highest elevation in the Shibuya sector at the
left-hand J-turn for Turn 4.
After two city blocks on a two-lane city street comes the
left-hand J-turn for Turn 5. TWO city blocks later, the
raceway makes a right-hand right-angle turn (Turn 6) onto a
four-lane city street.
After two city blocks, the circuit makes a pair of left-hand
right-angle corners back onto the initial straightaway. It
is important to use a wide racing line exiting Turn 8, as
that will ensure avoiding the median at corner exit and also
set up the optimum racing line for Turn 1 if on a hoptlap.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: WEST BUS DEPOT SOUTH
This is a VERY tricky event venue. Those who love technical
racing circuits will LOVE West Bus Depot South!!!!!
The Start/Finish Line begins in the area with the dip
underneath a wide subway bridge at one end of the bus station
area. The raceway is four lanes wide, bisected by the
support pillars for the bridge; cars begin events here lined
up on the right side of the support pillars.
Turn 1 is a NASTY left-hand J-turn with an IMMEDIATE dogleg
back to the right. Neither racing line is really optimal
here, but the racing line from the left side of the support
pillars (through the dip area) is slightly faster. On corner
exit, the two left-most lanes diverge to the left around a
bus shelter, then all four lanes rejoin on the other side.
The straightaway out of Turn 1 is the longest straightaway of
the West Bus Depot South event venue. The straightaway ends
with two consecutive thin medians... FAR beyond Turn 1;
therefore, drivers will need to use a LONG braking zone for
Turn 2. It is best to stay to the right side of the medians
for the optimal racing line for Turn 2.
Turn 2 is a right-angle left-hand requiring drifting tactics.
The brief ensuing straightaway is VERY dark as the cars pass
underneath a subway bridge; even in clear daylight conditions
at midday, it will be VERY difficult to spot darker-colored
cars underneath this bridge.
Immediately after Turn 2, the raceway makes a gentle curve to
the left for Turn 3. However, it is important to keep as
close to the apex as possible here, as the right-hand J-turn
for Turn 4 quickly wisks cars up a steep two-lane slope.
At the crest of this slope is Turn 5, a left-hand J-turn onto
a gently-descending three-lane city street. At its base is
the right-hand sixty-degree Turn 6, which can be tricky at
full acceleration (especially in wet conditions).
Once back in the bus station area, there is a nasty and fast
left-right chicane just before the final corner. The colors
of the barriers here blend in VERY well with the surrounding
area, so it can be VERY tricky to actually spot the raceway
here.
The left-hand right-angle Turn 7 is the final corner of this
event venue.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: SHIBUYA CHALLENGE
Forthcoming
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: EKI-MINAMI KOUKASHITA
The Start/Finish Line here is located at the exit of the bus
station area. The 'initial straightaway' actually comprises
Turns 1 and 2 as well. Turn 1 is a left-hand corner, while
Turn 2 is a right-hand corner. Both Turn 1 and Turn 2 are
sixty-degree corners which can generally be taken at full
acceleration... but this really does require a PRISTINE
racing line and DRY racing conditions with CLEAR visibility.
Especially in wet conditions (whether during the day or at
night), this is a particularly difficult section of the
circuit due to the high speeds which are usually attained
along this 'initial straightaway.'
Turn 3 is a right-hand J-turn which will definitely require
drifting tactics. Following Turn 3, the circuit heads
steeply back downhill (on a two-lane city street) to the
right-hand right-angle Turn 4, which leads onto a three-lane
city street.
After one city block is Turn 5, a left-hand J-turn onto the
VERY dark straightaway underneath a subway bridge.
Immediately on the other side of this subway bridge is the
right-hand J-turn for Turn 6; keep wide on this corner to
avoid the two consecutive thin medians bisecting this four-
lane street.
As this straightaway enters the bus station area, there is a
NASTY right-left chicane (Turns 7 and 8). This chicane is
rather difficult to spot due to the colors of the barriers
blending in TOO well with the surrounding area. Once past
the chicane, it is important to keep to the left of the bus
shelter which bisects the raceway.
Turn 9 is a right-hand J-turn leading to the dip. Using a
wide racing line here is best, both for Turn 9 AND Turn 10.
On the other side of the dip is the right-hand right-angle
Turn 10. This is a somewhat-extended corner, so it is best
to keep somewhat wide through Turn 10.
As the raceway leaves the bus station area, there is another
fast right-left chicane (Turns 11 and 12). The Start/Finish
Line immediately follows.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: TOKYO DENRYOKU-MAE KITA
This is almost exactly the reverse/mirror configuration of
the Eki-Minami Koukashita event venue, with a shifted
Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: SHIBUYA KUYAKUSHO-MAE MINAMI
This is almost identical to Tokyo Denryoku-Mae Kita, with a
shifted Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHIBUYA: LONG: SHIBUYA ZENIKI
Available ONLY in Time Attack Mode, this venue allows players
to roam freely along those routes used in the Shibuya sector
of Tokyo.
====================================
====================================
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: BUSINESS GAI NISHI
This is a tiny rectangularly-shaped event venue run in a
counterclockwise direction. All corners are right-angle
corners.
Turn 1 leads to a straightaway underneath a pedestrian plaza.
There is a short steep descent, a flat section, then a short
steep rise back to street level. This straightaway is only
two lanes wide.
Following Turn 2 is a four-lane street. However, the right-
most lane (the swing-out area for the exit of Turn 2)
disappears halfway to Turn 3.
At the entry of Turn 4, a thin median (which is VERY
difficult to spot, even during clear daylight conditions
during the midday hour) bisects the four-lane raceway. Turn
4 exits onto the initial four-lane straightaway.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: EKI BUS NORIBA KITA
This event venue has three lanes all the way around.
Turn 1 is a left-hand hairpin corner. Drifting tactics can
be great here for style points and for maintaining a good
amount of speed.
Turns 2 and 3 for a quick right-left chicane. However, at
the transition point for the chicane, the left-most lane
disappears and a new lane is added to the right side of the
raceway. This is not so bad here at the Eki Bus Noriba Kita
event venue, but when this chicane is used as part of much
longer circuits, this chicane can be exceedingly brutal at
high speeds.
Turns 4 and 5 are a pair of left-hand right-angle corners
connected by a short straightaway. Turn 5 leads onto the
initial straightaway and the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: ODAKYU NISHI-GAWA
This is a tricky triangularly-shaped event venue run in a
counterclockwise direction. All straightaways are four lanes
wide, but each is also bisected by one or more WIDE medians.
Therefore, it is best to maintain either only-wide or only-
tight racing lines here.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: OHME KAIDO HIGASHI
This is a rectangularly-shaped event venue run in a clockwise
direction. All corners are right-hand right-angle corners.
All straightaways are four lanes wide; however, the exits of
Turn 1 and Turn 3 have thin, brief medians bisecting the
raceway.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: ODAKYU NISHI
All straightaways here are four lanes wide, but there are
plenty of medians to cause potential trouble... especially at
nighttime and in other low-visibility conditions.
The initial straightaway is bisected by a wide median. The
exits of Turn 2, Turn 3, AND Turn 4 all have medians
bisecting the raceway as well. Therefore, as at Odakyu
Nishi-Gawa, it is best to maintain either only-wide or only-
tight racing lines here.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: BUS NORIBA KITA
This is another somewhat-tricky event venue.
The initial straightaway is a four-lane city street bisected
by a WIDE median. Cars will begin events here on the left
side of the median.
Turn 1 is a right-hand right-angle corner. Because of the
WIDE median bisecting the four-lane raceway at corner exit,
it is best to maintain a wide racing line here. After one
city block, the median ends and the raceway narrows to three
lanes.
Now comes the aforementioned chicane, but approached this
time from the reverse. This is a fast right-left chicane
(Turns 2 and 3) which really requires some braking beforehand
in order to keep from banging the barriers. Just beyond this
chicane is the right-hand hairpin corner (Turn 4) .
Halfway along this straightaway, the raceway doglegs to the
left AND a thin median appears to bisect the raceway.
However, due to a bridge over the beginning of the median,
the dark shadows here make the median very difficult to spot
even in clear daylight conditions during the midday hour, so
it is best to keep a TIGHT racing line here for the dogleg.
Turn 5 is a right-hand J-turn leading to the Start/Finish
Line. Since the initial straightaway is also bisected by a
WIDE median, it is best to keep a wide racing line through
Turn 5. This is made a little more difficult as the raceway
narrows by half in Turn 5.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: NISHI SHINJUKU KITA
The initial straightaway is an incredible FIVE lanes wide,
providing plenty of opportunity to pass multiple cars at once
without any collisions. Turn 1 is a right-hand 45-degree
corner onto a four-lane city street bisected by a thin
median; shortly thereafter is Turn 2, another right-hand 45-
degree corner onto a four-lane city street bisected by a wide
median. Turn 1 can be handled easily at full acceleration
(primarily if using a tight racing line), whereas Turn 2 will
require at least minor braking to avoid banging the barriers
and/or the median.
After one city block comes the right-hand right-angle Turn 3.
This turns onto a SIX-lane city street bisected by a wide
median. Drifting through this corner using a wide racing
line is probably best, although the inside racing line is
also quite serviceable as well.
At the end of this straightaway is the right-hand right-angle
Turn 4 onto a four-lane city street. At the next
intersection is the left-hand right-angle Turn 5 onto another
four-lane city street.
At the end of the pedestrian plaza (on the right side of the
raceway), Turn 6 is a right-hand right-angle corner onto a
short SIX-lane straightaway bisected by a thin median. The
barrier really protrudes into the corner itself, so a tight
racing line is best. The median only lasts for the first
half of the straightaway; immediately beyond the barrier, it
is important to get to the far-left side of the raceway to
set up the right-hand right-angle Turn 7, which opens onto
the initial straightaway and the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: HIGASHI DORI MINAMI
The initial straightaway at Higashi Dori Minami is four lanes
wide; actually, this city street is eight lanes wide, but
only the four right-most lanes are used for this circuit
configuration. This is important information to remember for
the final corner of this event venue.
Turn 1 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto an EIGHT-lane
city street bisected by a wide median; a wide racing line is
best here.
Turns 2 and 3 form a quick left-right chicane onto a three-
lane street. Minor braking should be employed here to assure
keeping the car from ramming the barriers.
Just beyond the chicane is the left-hand right-angle Turn 4,
opening onto a six-lane city street bisected by a wide
median. At the end of this city block is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 5, leading onto a four-lane city street with
NO medians :-)
At the end of this long straightaway is the left-hand right-
angle Turn 6. This is a tricky corner, because it at first
appears on approach that cars can go to either side of the
median at the exit of Turn 6. However, once actually IN the
corner itself, it becomes very evident that the street on the
left side of the median has been blocked off; those who have
already committed to using this barricaded side of the street
will incur Penalties for ramming the barrier here.
Therefore, it is IMPERATIVE to use a wide racing line here at
Turn 6.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: CHUO-DORI HIGASHI
Almost immediately beyond the Start/Finish Line, the raceway
makes a slight fade to the left as it passes underneath a
pedestrian bridge. This point marks the beginning of two
consecutive wide medians bisecting the four-lane raceway.
Using the left side of this city street is probably best.
At the end of the second median is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 1. This leads onto an EIGHT-lane city street also
bisected by a median. Halfway along this straightaway, the
circuit fades again a little bit to the left. If using the
right side of the raceway here, it is imperative to keep to
the two left-most lanes, as the two right-most lanes will be
barricaded beginning just beyond the fade.
Turn 2 is a left-hand 45-degree corner which can generally be
taken at full acceleration. The following four-lane city
street is bisected initially by a thin median.
Turn 3 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto a six-lane city
street which is also bisected by a median. After one city
block, the circuit heads back to the right (Turn 4) with a
perpendicular corner onto a short three-lane city street.
Turn 5 is the left-hand hairpin corner. This is followed
immediately by the quick right-left chicane (Turns 6 and 7),
which leads to the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: BUSINESS GAI MINAMI
The circuit map for Business Gai Minami looks VERY daunting.
While this definitely in a rather technical event venue, it
is really fairly easy (or at least fairly predictable) in the
overall scheme of things, since by the time players unlock
this particular event venue, they should already be quite
familiar with the various sections of this circuit from other
venues in Shinjuku; it is now simply a matter of putting
those various sections together into a single circuit.
The initial straightaway is six lanes wide, but is bisected
by a wide median. At the end of this straightaway is a
right-hand right-angle corner onto a three-lane city street
with NO medians. Shortly thereafter is the now-familiar
left-hand hairpin corner (Turn 2), followed by the quick
right-left chicane (Turns 3 and 4). At the end of this city
block, the circuit makes a left-hand right-angle turn to mark
Turn 5.
One city block later is the right-hand 45-degree Turn 6,
where the four-lane city street is suddenly bisected by a
thin median; the beginning of this median is rather difficult
to see - even in clear daylight conditions during the midday
hour - due to the shadow cast by the overhead pedestrian
bridge. Ahead is the left-hand 45-degree Turn 7; if on the
right side of the median, the raceway will be quickly reduced
to one single lane at Turn 7.
Shortly following Turn 7, the circuit makes a left-hand
right-angle turn at Turn 8. This will lead traffic
underneath the pedestrian plaza, with the left-hand right-
angle Turn 9 on the other side.
One city block later is the right-hand right-angle Turn 10.
One city block beyond that is the left-hand right-angle Turn
11, leading onto the initial straightaway and its wide
median.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: SHINJUKU CHALLENGE
Forthcoming
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: SHORT: SHINJUKU GARD MINAMI
The initial straightaway is three lanes wide and only one
city block in length, with the Start/Finish Line at the mid-
point of this initial straightaway.
Turn 1 is a right-hand right-angle corner onto a city street
which is six lanes wide and bisected by a wide median. A
wide racing line is best for Turn 1, as that provides a
better racing line for the right-hand right-angle Turn 2,
which opens onto a four-lane city street.
After one city block, the raceway turns to the left with a
perpendicular Turn 3 onto another four-lane city street. At
the end of the pedestrian plaza (on the right side of the
raceway) is the right-hand right-angle Turn 4; there is a
thin median bisecting this six-lane straightaway at corner
exit, and a tight racing line (while employing drifting
tactics) is best here. At the end of this single city block,
the right-hand right-angle Turn 5 brings traffic onto the
next straightaway, which is four lanes wide.
At the end of the pedestrian plaza (again, on the right side
of the raceway), the circuit makes a left-hand 45-degree
corner for Turn 6. The raceway is instantly reduced to three
lanes here, so it is best to either keep to the left-most
lanes approaching Turn 6, or tighten the racing line for Turn
6.
After a quick fade to the right comes the right-hand right-
angle Turn 7. This is a four-lane city street bisected by
two consecutive wide medians. At the end of the second
median is the right-hand right-angle Turn 8 onto a three-lane
straightaway. Once city block beyond that is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 9, leading back onto the initial
straightaway and its wide median.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: SHINJUKU HODOKYO SHITA
The Start/Finish Line is located near the entry to the now-
familiar chicane in Shinjuku. Turns 1 and 2 mark the right-
left chicane, with Turn 3 marking the right-hand hairpin
corner. One city block later, the circuit makes a left-hand
right-angle corner at Turn 4 onto a six-lane city street
bisected by a wide median.
After one city block comes the right-hand right-angle Turn 5
onto a four-lane city street. After another city block comes
the left-hand right-angle Turn 6 onto yet another four-lane
city street.
At the end of the pedestrian plaza (on the right side of the
raceway) is the right-hand right-angle Turn 7; there is a
thin median bisecting this six-lane straightaway at corner
exit, and a tight racing line (while employing drifting
tactics) is best here. At the end of this single city block,
the right-hand right-angle Turn 8 brings traffic onto the
next straightaway, which is four lanes wide.
At the end of the pedestrian plaza, there is a quick fade to
the right. There is also a thin median which begins at this
fade, which is obscured heavily by dark shadows caused by the
overhead pedestrian bridge; these dark shadows thus make it
VERY difficult to see the beginning of the thin median and
WILL cause trouble until this section of the circuit is
committed VERY well to memory.
One city block beyond the fade, the circuit makes a left-hand
right-angle turn (Turn 9) onto a three-lane city street. At
the end of this single city block is the final corner (Turn
10), a right-hand right-angle corner back toward the
Start/Finish Line and the imminent chicane.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: BUS ROTARY KITA
The Start/Finish Line is located on the longest straightaway
of the Bus Rotary Kita event venue, just before the slight
left-hand fade. At the end of this VERY long four-lane
straightaway is the left-hand J-turn marking Turn 1; due to
the immense length of this initial straightaway and the
tremendous speeds which will be achieved here, Turn 1
requires a VERY long braking zone.
Turn 1 empties onto a short three-lane city street. At the
end of the single city block is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 2, which opens onto a four-lane city street bisected by
a wide median; a tight racing line is best here due to the
upcoming chicane.
This chicane is not THE chicane, but rather a left-right
(Turns 3 and 4) coming into what is THE hairpin at many other
event venues here in the Shinjuku sector of Tokyo. Slight or
moderate braking will need to be employed here in order to
keep from banging the barriers at this chicane.
Two city blocks later, the circuit makes a left-hand 45-
degree corner (Turn 5) underneath a pedestrian bridge. A
thin median begins underneath this pedestrian bridge, and it
is very difficult to spot due to the dark shadow cast by the
bridge itself.
One city block later comes the final and most difficult
corner of the Bus Rotary Kita event venue. This is a NASTY
left-hand J-turn (Turn 6) which will DEFINITELY require
drifting tactics. What makes this corner particularly
difficult is that there is a thin median at both corner entry
AND corner exit. Exiting Turn 5, it may be best to use the
left side of the median; in Turn 6, it will be SLIGHTLY
easier to then 'slide' to the right side of the next median.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: NISHI GUCHI BUS NORIBA
The initial straightaway begins as a five-lane city street,
with the Start/Finish Line in this five-lane section.
However, it quickly shrinks to only three lanes in width as
the two left-most lanes are barricaded. After a quick fade
to the right, the raceway opens up once again to five lanes
in width... but then shrinks down to four lanes in width
immediately before Turn 1.
Turn 1 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto a six-lane city
street. Halfway along this short straightaway, a thin median
bisects the raceway; going to the left of the raceway
provides the best possible racing line here.
Turn 2 is then a left-hand right-angle corner onto a four-
lane city street. At the end of the pedestrian plaza (on the
left side of the raceway), Turn 3 is a right-hand right-angle
corner onto another four-lane city street. After a single
city block, the left-hand right-angle Turn 4 empties onto a
six-lane city street bisected by a wide median.
At the end of this median, the circuit makes a right-hand
right-angle corner (Turn 5) onto a three-lane city street.
Next come the left-hand hairpin (Turn 6) and the chicane
(Turns 7 and 8).
Ahead, at the dark shadow cast by the overhead pedestrian
bridge, the circuit fades to the left, and the four-lane city
street is suddenly bisected by a wide median; due to the dark
shadows here, it is almost impossible to see the median on
approach, so good knowledge of this area of the circuit is
key to success. It is also best to go to the right side of
this wide median, as this will create a better racing line
for Turn 9.
After the two consecutive wide medians comes the left-hand
right-angle Turn 9. This leads back onto the initial five-
lane straightaway and the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: KOSYU KAIDO NISHI II
The Start/Finish Line is located on a city street which is
EIGHT lanes wide. However, for a distance of several city
blocks, there are four lanes running in each direction,
separated only by a thin white fence.
One city block beyond the Start/Finish Line is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 1; this leads onto a city street with four
NARROW lanes - this is about two-thirds of the width of the
initial straightaway. At the end of this straightaway is the
right-hand right-angle Turn 2, leading onto a six-lane city
street bisected by a wide median; a wide racing line is best
here.
At the end of the median is the left-hand right-angle Turn 3
onto a four-lane city street. after one city block comes a
pair of right-hand right-angle corners (Turns 4 and 5)
separated by a three-lane city street.
Next comes the chicane (Turns 6 and 7), opening onto an
EIGHT-lane city street (just beyond what should be the
hairpin corner) which is bisected by a wide median. It is
best to use the left side of the raceway here, as this
provides a much better racing line for Turn 8 ahead.
At the end of the median comes the right-hand right-angle
Turn 9. It is important to keep a WIDE racing line here, as
only the left-most four lanes of this eight-lane city street
are used; this is because the right-most four lanes will soon
have traffic coming in the opposite direction.
At the end of this longest straightaway of the Kosyu Kaido
Nishi II event venue comes a SHARP and NASTY right-hand
hairpin corner (Turn 10) as the circuit doubles back upon
itself. One city block later is the Start/Finish Line.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: KITA DORI HIGASHI
Forthcoming
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: SHINJUKU RESTAURANT HIGASHI
The initial straightaway is four lanes wide and is also the
single longest straightaway of the Shinjuku Restaurant
Higashi event venue. Due to the immense length of this
initial straightaway, Turn 1 will have a LONG braking zone;
given that the Start/Finish Line is near the end of the
initial straightaway, it can provide a good marker for the
braking zone for Turn 1.
Turn 1 is a nasty left-hand J-turn onto a three-lane raceway;
drifting tactics will DEFINITELY be required here. After a
few city blocks, the circuit makes a left-hand right-angle
corner (Turn 2) onto an EIGHT-lane city street bisected by a
wide median; it is best to keep to the right side of this
median, which avoids the need to merge to the right later.
After the median comes the now-familiar right-left chicane
(Turn 3 and 4). This is followed one city block later by the
left-hand right-angle Turn 5.
After another city block, the raceway doglegs to the right at
Turn 6. This occurs underneath a dark pedestrian bridge
which obscures the beginning of the thin median which bisects
the four-lane street. It is best to keep to the right side
of this thin median.
Ahead is the left-hand 45-degree Turn 7. The right side of
the raceway (to the right of the thin median) cuts down to a
single lane briefly at Turn 7, then the median ends to
provide uninterrupted four-lane racing alongside the
pedestrian plaza (on the left side of the raceway).
At the end of the pedestrian plaza is the left-hand right-
angle Turn 8 onto a six-lane city street. Halfway along this
brief straightaway, a thin median bisects the raceway; it is
best to keep to the left-hand side of the median, as this
makes the left-hand right-angle Turn 9 a bit easier.
At the end of the pedestrian plaza (on the left side of the
raceway) is the right-hand right-angle Turn 10. This leads
onto the four-lane initial straightaway. At the next
intersection, this city street fades slightly to the left.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: SHINJUKU MINAMI-GUCHI
The Start/Finish Line is at the mid-point of the second-
longest straightaway at the Shinjuku Minami-Guchi event
venue.
Turn 1 is a right-hand right-angle corner onto a four-lane
straightaway bisected by a thin median; it is best to use a
wide racing line through Turn 1 to get to the left side of
this median. One city block later comes the left-hand right-
angle Turn 2, which also has a thin median at its exit. This
median quickly gives away to provide an unfettered four-lane
city street. However, the right-hand right-angle Turn 3
quickly follows.
This is now the single longest straightaway at the Shinjuku
Minami-Guchi event venue. Note that this six-lane city
street is 'bisected' by a thin raised 'platform.' For most
circuit configurations making use of this particular
straightaway, this platform holds thin fencing to form
numerous consecutive medians with varying-width gaps; other
barriers then force traffic from one side of this city street
to the other. These raised 'platforms' can be crossed now -
with some difficulty - but players may wish to try slaloming
through the gaps as a means of 'practicing' for when the
barriers are in place.
At the end of this lengthy straightaway is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 4; this opens onto a city street which is
four lanes wide. After a few city blocks is the right-hand
dogleg forming Turn 5, opening onto a four-lane city street
running alongside the pedestrian plaza (on the left-hand side
of the raceway).
At the end of the pedestrian plaza is the right-hand right-
angle Turn 6, leading onto another four-lane city street.
After a single city block, the raceway makes a left-hand
right-angle corner onto a six-lane city street bisected by a
wide median.
At the end of this section is a right-hand right-angle corner
marking Turn 8. Next quickly comes a left-right chicane
(Turns 9 and 10) opening onto an EIGHT-lane city street
bisected by a wide median; it is important to keep to the
left side of this median to set up the best possible racing
line for the final corner.
After the median is the right-hand right-angle Turn 11. This
opens onto the initial straightaway.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: TOCHO DORI MINAMI
This is the Shinjuku Minami-Guchi event venue run in reverse.
The only change is that the long straightaway which formerly
had the raised platforms now has the fencing on them, forcing
all traffic to the right-most three lanes of the
straightaway; there is no need to switch from one side of the
street to the other here.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: TOCHO KITA-DORI HIGASHI
The Start/Finish Line is near the beginning of the initial
straightaway, which is a city street which is four lanes
wide. At the end of the pedestrian plaza (on the right-hand
side of the raceway) is a quick fade to the right. A thin
median bisects the raceway beginning at this fade; it is best
to keep to the right side of this thin median.
At the end of the thin median is the right-hand 45-degree
Turn 1. Whereas the previous fade can be easily handled
safely at full acceleration, Turn 1 requires moderate braking
to keep from banging the barriers due to all the speed
carried into this corner.
Ahead is the left-right chicane marking Turns 2 and 3.
Moderate braking will again be needed. It is best to swing
wide to the left exiting Turn 3 to avoid the wide median
bisecting this six-lane straightaway.
After one city block is the right-hand right-angle Turn 4,
leading onto a three-lane raceway. This is the second-
longest straightaway at this event venue, so Turn 5 will
require a LONG braking zone.
Turn 5 is a right-hand right-angle corner leading to a brief
straightaway which is one city block long and four lanes
wide; this straightaway is bisected by a thin median. It is
best to keep to the left of this thin median (thus requiring
a wide racing line exiting Turn 5).
Then comes the left-hand right-angle Turn 6. There is also
a thin median bisecting the raceway at the exit of Turn 6; it
is best to keep a tight racing line here to stay on the left
side of this new thin median. This thin median disappears
halfway to Turn 7.
Turn 7 is a right-hand right-angle corner which leads onto
the single-longest straightaway in Shinjuku. This time, a
tight racing line is REQUIRED, as the left side of this six-
lane street is barricaded. While racing along this lengthy
straightaway, traffic will twice be forced to switch to the
opposite side of the street; these switching points can be
very difficult to spot at nighttime and in other low-
visibility conditions.
At the end of this lengthy straightaway is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 8, leading onto a four-lane city street.
Due to the immense length of the previous straightaway, a
LONG braking zone is necessary for Turn 8.
After several city blocks, there is a left-hand right-angle
turn (Turn 9) onto a six-lane city street initially bisected
by a thin median; a tight racing line is best here. One city
block later, the raceway makes its final corner (a right-hand
right-angle turn) onto the initial straightaway.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: NISHI SHINJUKU 2 CHOME
The initial straightaway is four lanes wide, and the
Start/Finish Line is located near its end. The initial
corner is a left-hand 45-degree corner onto a four-lane
street bisected by a thin median. This thin median can be
difficult to spot due to the dark shadow cast by the overhead
pedestrian bridge; it is best to keep tight to the left here,
and begin braking immediately out of Turn 1.
After a single city block is the left-hand 135-degree J-turn
marking Turn 2. This is another four-lane city street
bisected by a thin median. In the corner itself, it is best
to slide as far to the right side as possible, as this will
be a better racing line than trying to stay tight to the
apex. SEVERE braking and some drifting will be required for
Turn 2.
After a single city block is the right-hand right-angle Turn
3. This leads onto a four-lane city street alongside the
pedestrian plaza (on the right-hand side of the raceway). At
the end of the pedestrian plaza is a 30-degree left-hand
fade.
At the end of this straightaway is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 4 onto the longest straightaway in Shinjuku. This time,
traffic MUST use a wide racing line, as the three left-most
lanes are barricaded. Fortunately, there is NO switching
between sides of the street for this event venue, so players
can fly along this straightaway at full acceleration with no
need to worry about high-speed maneuvers (unless passing
other cars).
At the end of this immense straightaway is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 5. Halfway along the next straightaway
(which is four lanes wide), a thin median bisects the
raceway; it is best to keep to the right-hand side of this
thin median.
Next comes the right-hand right-angle Turn 6, which opens
onto a brief straightaway with four lanes bisected by another
thin median; a tight racing line is best here, keeping to the
right-hand side of this new thin median. At the end of this
median is the left-hand right-angle Turn 7 onto the three
left-most lanes of a six-lane city street.
After two city blocks, traffic is suddenly forced to the
three right-most lanes of this six-lane city street.
Fortunately, this switch is very well-marked - unlike the
switches required in many circuit configurations making use
of the longest straightaway in Shinjuku.
After two more city blocks comes the left-hand right-angle
Turn 8. This opens onto an EIGHT-lane city street bisected
by a wide median. A wide racing line is best.
At the end of the median comes a quick left-right chicane
(Turns 9 and 10). It is best to brake somewhat before
entering the chicane to ensure avoiding the barriers, which
are VERY difficult to miss at high speeds.
This chicane opens onto the initial straightaway; the
Start/Finish Line is near its end.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: TOCHO-DORI HIGASHI
The initial straightaway is three lanes wide and four city
blocks in length; the Start/Finish Line is at the mid-point
of this initial straightaway.
Turn 1 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto a city street
which is EIGHT lanes wide and bisected by a wide median; a
wide racing line is best here. At the end of the median is
THE chicane in Shinjuku (Turns 2 and 3), a fast right-left
onto a three-lane city street. At the end of this city block
is the left-hand right-angle Turn 4 onto another three-lane
city street.
After a single city block is the right-hand 45-degree Turn 5
onto a four-lane city street bisected by a thin median. This
thin median is difficult to spot due to the shadows from the
overhead pedestrian bridge. A tight racing line is best
here; this corner can be safely cleared at full acceleration,
but it is probably best to brake at least slightly.
At the end of this single city block, the median disappears
as the raceway makes a left-hand 45-degree turn (Turn 6).
This corner can be cleared at full acceleration. Note that
those who used the right side of the thin median between
Turns 5 and 6 will have their raceway reduced to a single
lane just before entering Turn 6, but this corner can still
be cleared safely at full acceleration nonetheless.
After a single city block comes the left-hand right-angle
Turn 7, leading onto a short six-lane straightaway. At the
end of this straightaway is a thin median bisecting the
raceway; keeping to the right side of this thin median
provides the best possible racing line for the right-hand 45-
degree Turn 8 onto a five-lane city street.
At the end of this straightaway is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 9, leading onto the longest straightaway in Shinjuku. A
TIGHT racing line is required here, as the right-most three
lanes of this lengthy city street are initially barricaded.
There will be two switching points along this straightaway.
Turn 10 will require a LONG braking zone due to the immense
length of this straightaway.
Turn 10 is a left-hand right-angle corner onto a four-lane
city street. Halfway along this straightaway, a thin median
bisects the raceway; keep to the right here.
Turn 11 is a right-hand right-angle corner onto a four-lane
city street bisected by another thin median; keep a tight
racing line here.
After a single city block, the raceway makes a left-hand
right-angle corner onto the initial straightaway.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: MEDIUM: EKI NISHI-GUCHI MINAMI
This final event venue in Shinjuku begins on a six-lane city
street bisected by a wide median. Traffic begins on the
right-most three lanes; after two city blocks, traffic is
suddenly diverted to the left-most three lanes. Two city
blocks later comes the right-hand right-angle Turn 1, leading
onto a single city block with a four-lane straightaway
bisected by a thin median; keeping to the left side of the
thin median is best for Turn 2, a left-hand right-angle
corner leading onto a four-lane city street initially also
bisected by a single thin median.
At the end of this straightaway is the right-hand right-angle
Turn 3, leading onto the single longest straightaway in
Shinjuku. Traffic MUST use a wide racing line here, as the
three right-most lanes are initially barricaded. ALL THREE
SWITCHING POINTS ARE USED, so players can expect to be making
several high-speed maneuvers along this lengthy straightaway.
At the end of this immense straightaway is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 4 onto a five-lane city street; this corner
will require a LONG braking zone. After several city blocks
is the right-hand 45-degree Turn 5, which can be taken at
full acceleration as it leads onto a four-lane straightaway
alongside the pedestrian plaza (on the left-hand side of the
raceway).
At the end of the pedestrian plaza is the left-hand right-
angle Turn 6, leading onto a four-lane city street. After a
single city block, the raceway makes a right-hand 45-degree
turn at Turn 7; there is a thin median bisecting the four-
lane raceway here, and it is best to keep to the right side
of this thin median. After a single city block is the left-
hand 45-degree Turn 8 onto a three-lane city street.
One city block later is the right-hand right-angle Turn 9
onto a three-lane city street. Then comes THE chicane (Turns
10 and 11), a fast right-left chicane. At the exit of the
chicane, keep to the left side of the wide median.
After the median comes the right-hand right-angle Turn 12
onto the initial straightaway.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: SHINJUKU NI-CHOME NISHI
The initial straightaway for the first long-length event
venue in Shinjuku happens to also be the longest straightaway
in Shinjuku. All traffic begins on the right-hand side of
the raceway, and will switch to the opposite side of the
raceway twice.
At the end of the longest straightaway in Shinjuku, the
circuit makes a right-hand right-angle turn at Turn 1; this
leads onto a five-lane city street. Several city blocks
later comes the left-hand 45-degree Turn 2 onto a four-lane
city street initially bisected by a thin median; it is best
to keep to the left of this thin median while passing through
this corner at full acceleration. One city block later comes
the right-hand right-angle Turn 3, leading onto another four-
lane city street with the pedestrian plaza just to the right
of the raceway.
At the end of the pedestrian plaza is the left-hand 45-degree
Turn 4. It is best to keep a wide racing line here to avoid
the wide median bisecting this six-lane city street. After a
quick fade to the right is the right-hand right-angle Turn 5;
a wide racing line is best here to get to the left side of
the wide median bisecting the four-lane city street at the
exit of Turn 5.
Turns 6 and 7 are THE right-left chicane; remember to brake
slightly on approach to help avoid the barriers. Keeping to
the left of the next wide median will make the right-hand
right-angle Turn 8 much easier.
Now on the three right-hand lanes of a six-lane median-
bisected city street, traffic will be forced to the three
left-most lanes ahead. Two city blocks beyond this switching
point is the right-hand right-angle Turn 9, leading onto a
four-lane city street bisected by a thin median; keep to the
left of this median. Next is the left-hand right-angle Turn
10, leading onto another four-lane city street initially also
bisected by a thin median; use a tight racing line here to
keep to the left side of this thin median.
Turn 11 is the final corner, a right-hand right-angle corner
leading onto the initial straightaway. A TIGHT racing line
is required here, as the three left-most lanes of this
lengthy straightaway are initially barricaded.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: NISHI SHINJUKU EKIKITA
This event venue is essentially the reverse/mirror
configuration of Shinjuku Ni-Chome Nishi with two exceptions:
1.) The shifted Start/Finish Line
2.) Instead of going AROUND the pedestrian plaza, the
raceway runs UNDERNEATH the pedestrian plaza.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: EKI NISHI-GUCHI KITA
This is the Nishi Shinjuku Ekikita configuration with two
exceptions:
1.) The shifted Start/Finish Line
2.) Instead of going UNDERNEATH the pedestrian plaza, the
raceway runs AROUND the pedestrian plaza.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: HIGASHI DORI KITA II
The initial straightaway is six lanes wide and bisected by a
wide median. The Start/Finish Line is at the mid-point of
this initial straightaway.
The first three corners are a left-right-left section each
separated by a single three-lane city block each; the exit of
Turn 3 requires a wide racing line to avoid the wide median
bisecting the four-lane raceway. Turn 4 is a left-hand
right-angle corner requiring a wide racing line to also avoid
the wide median bisecting the ensuing four-lane raceway.
Shortly beyond Turn 4, the raceway narrows to only three
lanes, then fades to the right onto a four-lane city street
alongside the pedestrian plaza (on the left-hand side of the
raceway). At the end of the pedestrian plaza is the left-
hand right-angle Turn 5, leading onto a six-lane city street
bisected at the end by a thin median; it is important to keep
to the right side of this thin median, as it provides a
better racing line for the right-hand 45-degree Turn 6 onto a
five-lane city street.
Several city blocks later is the left-hand right-angle Turn
7, leading onto the longest straightaway in Shinjuku. A
TIGHT racing line is required for Turn 7, as the three right-
most lanes are initially barricaded. However, traffic will
twice be forced to switch to the opposite side of this long
straightaway.
At the end of the lengthy straightaway is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 8, leading onto a four-lane city street
which will eventually become bisected by a thin median; it is
best to keep to the right side of this median. At the end of
the thin median is the right-hand right-angle Turn 9 onto
another four-lane city street bisected by a thin median;
again, it is best to keep to the right side of this thin
median.
Turn 10 is the left-hand right-angle corner one city block
beyond Turn 9; this opens onto a three-lane raceway. Two
city blocks later is the left-hand right-angle Turn 11 onto a
city street comprised of four NARROW lanes. At the end of
this straightaway is the right-hand right-angle Turn 12,
leading onto the initial four-lane straightaway and its
bisecting wide median.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: OHME KAIDO NISHI
The Start/Finish Line is located near the end of the five-
lane straightaway from the pedestrian plaza to the longest
straightaway in Shinjuku. Turn 1 is thus the left-hand
right-angle corner leading onto the longest straightaway in
Shinjuku. A TIGHT racing line will be required for Turn 1,
as the three right-most lanes are initially barricaded. All
three switching points are used along this lengthy
straightaway, allowing plenty of opportunity for players to
hone their high-speed maneuvering skills.
At the end of the lengthy straightaway is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 2, leading onto a four-lane city street
which will eventually become bisected by a thin median; it is
best to keep to the right side of this median. At the end of
the thin median is the right-hand right-angle Turn 3 onto
another four-lane city street bisected by a thin median;
again, it is best to keep to the right side of this thin
median.
Turn 4 is the left-hand right-angle corner one city block
beyond Turn 3; this opens onto a three-lane raceway. Two
city blocks later, the raceway switches to the right-hand
side of the wide median. Two city blocks beyond the
switching point is the left-hand right-angle Turn 5; it is
best to keep to the right side of the wide median here.
Turns 6 and 7 form a fast left-right chicane just beyond the
wide median. It is best to use moderate braking here to
ensure keeping off the barriers.
Ahead is the right-hand right-angle Turn 8, leading onto a
short three-lane city street. Next comes the left-hand
right-angle Turn 9; it is best to keep a wide racing line to
avoid the wide median here at corner exit.
Turn 9 is a left-hand right-angle corner requiring a wide
racing line to also avoid the wide median bisecting the
ensuing four-lane raceway.
Shortly beyond Turn 9, the raceway narrows to only three
lanes, then fades to the right onto a four-lane city street
alongside the pedestrian plaza (on the left-hand side of the
raceway). At the end of the pedestrian plaza is the left-
hand right-angle Turn 10, leading onto a six-lane city street
bisected at the end by a thin median; it is important to keep
to the right side of this thin median, as it provides a
better racing line for the right-hand 45-degree Turn 11 onto
the initial straightaway.
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TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: SHINJUKU-GARD MINAMI
One city block beyond the Start/Finish Line is a quick left-
right chicane (Turns 1 and 2) onto an eight-lane city street;
keep to the left side of the wide median when exiting the
chicane. At the end of this median is the right-hand right-
angle Turn 3 onto a three-lane straightaway; after two city
blocks, the traffic is forced to the left side of the wide
median.
At the end of this section is the right-hand right-angle Turn
4 onto a four-lane city street bisected by a thin median; it
is best to keep to the left side of this thin median. After
a single city block is the left-hand right-angle Turn 5
leading onto another four-lane straightaway which is
initially also bisected by a thin median; it is best to use a
tight racing line here to keep to the left-hand side of this
thin median.
At the end of this straightaway is the right-hand right-angle
Turn 6 onto the longest straightaway in Shinjuku.
Interestingly, there are no barricades here, only the
slightly-raised 'platforms' lining the middle of this lengthy
six-lane straightaway.
At the end of the lengthy straightaway is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 7 onto a five-lane city street with a slight
fade to the right about halfway along its length.
At the end of this straightaway is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 8 onto a four-lane city street which is soon bisected by
a thin median; it is best to keep to the right side of this
thin median. At the end of this thin median is the right-
hand 45-degree Turn 9 onto a six-lane city street with a WIDE
median; it is best to keep to the right side of this median
as well. Ahead is the right-hand right-angle Turn 10 onto a
four-lane street with a wide median; in Turn 10, it is best
to slide to the outside of the corner to get to the left side
of the median at the exit of Turn 10.
At the end of the second wide median is the right-hand right-
angle Turn 11. From the left side of the wide median, this
will be a somewhat-tight corner, so drifting tactics will
definitely need to be employed here.
At the end of the three-lane city block is the left-hand
right-angle corner leading onto the initial straightaway.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: NISHI SHINJUKU NI-CHOME
Nishi Shinjuku Ni-Chome is a particularly-technical event
venue with numerous corners throughout the first half of a
lap. Good speeds can be attained in the latter half of a
lap, however, providing a good opportunity for both speed
experts and cornering experts to win events at this event
venue :-)
The circuit begins with THE fast right-left chicane (Turns 1
and 2). At the next intersection, the circuit turns to the
left (Turn 3) onto a three-lane straightaway; at the next
intersection, the circuit turns to the left again (Turn 4)
onto another three-lane straightaway. After a single city
block, the raceway makes a right-hand right-angle corner
(Turn 5) onto a four-lane street bisected by a wide median; a
tight racing line is best here to get on the right side of
the wide median at the exit of Turn 5.
At the end of the wide median is the right-hand right-angle
Turn 6, leading onto a four-lane city street. A single city
block later is the left-hand right-angle Turn 7 leading onto
yet another four-lane city street.
Next is the right-hand right-angle Turn 8. This leads onto
the straightaway underneath the pedestrian plaza. On the
other side of this steep dip is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 9, leading onto a four-lane city street. At the end of
the pedestrian plaza, Turn 10 is a left-hand right-angle
corner onto a six-lane city street which is eventually
bisected by a thin median; it is best to keep to the right
side of this thin median. At the end of the thin median is
the right-hand 45-degree Turn 11, leading onto a city street
which is five lanes wide.
Several city blocks later is the left-hand right-angle Turn
12. This leads onto the single longest straightaway in
Shinjuku, but the barriers in the middle of the street have
been removed.
At the end of the lengthy straightaway is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 13, leading onto a four-lane city street
which will eventually become bisected by a thin median; it is
best to keep to the right side of this median. At the end of
the thin median is the right-hand right-angle Turn 14 onto
another four-lane city street bisected by a thin median;
again, it is best to keep to the right side of this thin
median.
Turn 15 is the left-hand right-angle corner one city block
beyond Turn 14; this opens onto a three-lane raceway. Four
city blocks later is the final corner (Turn 15), a left-hand
right-angle corner leading onto the initial straightaway; it
is best to keep to the right side of the wide median on
corner exit.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: KOSYU KAIDO NISHI
Forthcoming
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: OHME KAIDO NISHI II
This event venue begins on the single longest straightaway in
Shinjuku. The barricades are in place here, and all three
switching points are used, with the Start/Finish Line located
at the mid-point between the first and second switching
points.
At the end of the lengthy straightaway is the left-hand
right-angle Turn 1, leading onto a four-lane city street
which will eventually become bisected by a thin median; it is
best to keep to the right side of this median. At the end of
the thin median is the right-hand right-angle Turn 2 onto
another four-lane city street bisected by a thin median;
again, it is best to keep to the right side of this thin
median.
Turn 3 is the left-hand right-angle corner one city block
beyond Turn 2; this opens onto a three-lane raceway. Two
city blocks later is the left-hand right-angle Turn 4 onto a
city street comprised of four NARROW lanes. At the end of
this straightaway is the right-hand right-angle Turn 5 onto a
four-lane city street bisected by a wide median; a wide
racing line is best here to get to the left side of the wide
median. At the end of the wide median is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 6 onto a three-lane city street.
Turn 7 is then the left-hand hairpin corner, with THE chicane
following (Turns 8 and 9). After one city block is the left-
hand right-angle Turn 10 onto a three-lane city street. Next
is the right-hand 45-degree Turn 11 underneath the pedestrian
bridge; keep hard to the right to avoid the thin median
bisecting the four-lane raceway here. Next comes the left-
hand 135-degree J-turn marking Turn 12; it is best to keep a
wide racing line here while using plenty of drift to avoid
the thin median at the exit of Turn 12. Turn 13 is a right-
hand right-angle corner leading onto a four-lane city street
alongside the pedestrian plaza.
Next is the right-hand right-angle Turn 14. This leads onto
the straightaway underneath the pedestrian plaza. On the
other side of this steep dip is the left-hand right-angle
Turn 15, leading onto a four-lane city street. At the end of
the pedestrian plaza, Turn 16 is a left-hand right-angle
corner onto a six-lane city street which is eventually
bisected by a thin median; it is best to keep to the right
side of this thin median. At the end of the thin median is
the right-hand 45-degree Turn 17, leading onto a city street
which is five lanes wide.
Several city blocks later is the left-hand right-angle Turn
18, which requires a wide racing line since the left-most
three lanes have been barricaded. This leads onto the single
longest straightaway in Shinjuku, which for this event venue
also happens to be the initial straightaway. The
Start/Finish Line is located at the mid-point between the
first and second switching areas.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: SUMITOMO-BIRU HIGASHI
Events here begin on a four-lane city street. Just beyond
the Start/Finish Line is Turn 1, a left-hand 45-degree corner
underneath an overhead pedestrian bridge where a thin median
forms to bisect the four-lane city street. Keep to the left
of this thin difficult-to-see median.
After one city block is the right-hand right-angle Turn 2,
which opens onto a wider city street with a wide median. It
is best to keep wide to the left here to avoid the wide
median. Between Turns 2 and 3, the raceway fades to the
right.
Turn 3 is a right-hand right-angle corner leading onto a
four-lane city street bisected by two consecutive wide
medians. Again, keep a wide racing line here to avoid the
wide medians. The ensuing straightaway makes a quick fade to
the right at the end of the second wide median.
Next is Turns 4 and 5, forming THE fast right-left chicane in
Shinjuku. It is best to use moderate braking before the
chicane to ensure keeping off the barriers. On exiting the
chicane, it is best to keep to the left-hand side of the next
wide median.
Turn 6 is the right-hand right-angle corner at the end of the
wide median. This leads onto a three-lane city street which
lasts for four city blocks.
Turn 7 is a right-hand right-angle corner leading onto a
four-lane city street bisected by a thin median; it is best
to keep a wide racing line in Turn 7 to stay to the left-hand
side of this thin median. Turn 8 is the left-hand right-
angel corner one city block later onto yet another four-lane
city street also initially bisected by a thin median; it is
best to use a tight racing line here to stay on the left side
of this new thin median.
Turn 9 is the right-hand right-angle corner leading onto the
single longest straightaway in Shinjuku. There are no
barricades here, so drivers will have unfettered access to
the entire six-lane width of this immense straightaway.
At the end of the immense straightaway is the right-hand
right-angle Turn 10, leading onto a five-lane city street.
Ahead is the right-hand 45-degree Turn 11 onto a four-lane
city street. Turn 12 is a right-hand right-angle corner onto
another four-lane city street.
One single city block later is the left-hand right-angle Turn
13 leading onto a four-lane city street bisected by a wide
median; it is best to use a wide racing line to stay on the
right-hand side of this wide median. At the next
intersection is Turn 14, a right-angle left-hand corner
leading onto the initial straightaway.
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: NISHI SHINJUKU RESTAURANT
This is essentially the reverse/mirror configuration of the
Sumitomo-Biru Higashi event venue, except that:
1.) the Start/Finish Line has been shifted
2.) the raceway goes around and then UNDER the pedestrian
plaza
====================================
TOKYO: SHINJUKU: LONG: SHINJUKU ZENIKI
Available ONLY in Time Attack Mode, this venue allows players
to roam freely along those routes used in the Shinjuku sector
of Tokyo.
====================================
====================================
====================================
DIAGRAMS
This section contains the diagrams referred to earlier in the
guide.
Ascari Chicane (at Monza):
*
*
*
*
*
***
*
*****************
Bus Stop Chicane (Variant I - Wide Chicane):
******************* *******************
* *
*********
Bus Stop Chicane (Variant II - Narrow Chicane):
******************* *******************
***********
Decreasing-radius Corner:
->*******************
*
*
*
*
*
*
<-*************************
Hairpin Corner:
->*****************
*
<-*****************
Increasing-radius Corner:
->**********************
*
*
*
*
*
<-*******************
J-turn
*******************
*
*
*
*
Quick-flicks (Variant I - Wide Chicane):
*************
*
*************
Quick-flicks (Variant II - Narrow Chicane):
*************
**************
Sample Circuit Using Some of the Above Corner Types Combined:
******|****** *****
* |-> * * *
* ** *** *
* * ** *
* * * * *
* * * * * ****
* ** * * *
* * ********
******* *
*******
Standard Corner:
*******************
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
U-turn:
->*****************
*
*
*
<-*****************
Virtual Bus Stop Chicane:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Car #1 ->->->->->-> Car #3
Player Path: ->->->->->->-> Car #2 ->->->->->->->
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
====================================
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====================================
CONTACT
For rants, raves, etc., contact me at
[email protected];
also, if you have enjoyed this guide and feel that it has
been helpful to you, I would certainly appreciate a small
donation via PayPal (
http://www.paypal.com/) using the above
e-mail address.
To find the latest version of this and all my other
PSX/PS2/DC/Mac game guides, visit FeatherGuides at
http://feathersites.angelcities.com/
====================================
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