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			[[Image:Formula Nippon.png\|right]]
	'''Formula Nippon''' is a type of [[formula racing]] and the top level of single-seater racing in Japan.		'''Formula Nippon''' is a type of [[formula racing]] and the top level of single-seater racing in Japan.

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Champions

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	==Champions==		==Champions==
	[[File:Swift 017n.jpg\|thumb\|220px\|The latest Formula Nippon chassis, the [[Swift Engineering\|Swift]] FN09 (also known as the Swift 017.n), introduced in the [[2009 Formula Nippon season\|2009 season]].]]
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+ Japanese Formula 2000		\|+ Japanese Formula 2000

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	When European Formula 2 ended in 1984, its Japanese counterpart did not follow suit, continuing to use Formula 2 regulations (with almost-exclusively 2.0 L [[Honda]] engines) for another three years, finally switching to the open Formula 3000 standard in 1987. Once again, Japanese and European regulations paralleled one another, until 1996, when the International Formula 3000 series became a one-make format to lower costs. The Japanese Formula broke away at this time, and made it official by changing the series name to Formula Nippon.		When European Formula 2 ended in 1984, its Japanese counterpart did not follow suit, continuing to use Formula 2 regulations (with almost-exclusively 2.0 L [[Honda]] engines) for another three years, finally switching to the open Formula 3000 standard in 1987. Once again, Japanese and European regulations paralleled one another, until 1996, when the International Formula 3000 series became a one-make format to lower costs. The Japanese Formula broke away at this time, and made it official by changing the series name to Formula Nippon.

	Until recently, Formula Nippon was an open formula, where a variety of chassis builders and engine manufacturers could compete. Chassis were supplied by [[Lola Cars\|Lola]], [[Reynard Motorsport\|Reynard]], and [[G-Force (car)\|G-Force]], while [[Mugen-Honda]] supplied the vast majority of the engines (though [[Cosworth]] engines were found in the Formula 3000 era). However, with the [[bankruptcy]] of Reynard in 2002, and the withdrawal of G-Force a year earlier, Formula Nippon once again followed F3000's lead in becoming a one-make series. Formula Nippon cars are now all Lola B03/50 chassis powered by Mugen-Honda engines; however, unlike F3000, engines in Formula Nippon are open-tuned by private companies.		Until recently, Formula Nippon was an open formula, where a variety of chassis builders and engine manufacturers could compete. Chassis were supplied by [[Lola Cars\|Lola]], [[Reynard Motorsport\|Reynard]], and [[G-Force (car)\|G-Force]], while [[Mugen-Honda]] supplied the vast majority of the engines (though [[Cosworth]] engines were found in the Formula 3000 era). However, with the bankruptcy of Reynard in 2002, and the withdrawal of G-Force a year earlier, Formula Nippon once again followed F3000's lead in becoming a one-make series. Formula Nippon cars are now all Lola B03/50 chassis powered by Mugen-Honda engines; however, unlike F3000, engines in Formula Nippon are open-tuned by private companies.

	In 2006 Formula Nippon underwent a drastic revision of its regulations. The current Lola B03/50 chassis was replaced by a new Lola FN06 chassis, while the engine formula underwent drastic revision. Blocks were provided by [[Toyota]] and Honda, using the same block specifications as found in the 2005 [[Indy Racing League]], with open-tuning still permitted.		In 2006 Formula Nippon underwent a drastic revision of its regulations. The current Lola B03/50 chassis was replaced by a new Lola FN06 chassis, while the engine formula underwent drastic revision. Blocks were provided by [[Toyota]] and Honda, using the same block specifications as found in the 2005 [[Indy Racing League]], with open-tuning still permitted.

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New page

'''Formula Nippon''' is a type of [[formula racing]] and the top level of single-seater racing in Japan.

Formula Nippon has a fairly long history, evolving from the Japanese [[Formula Two|Formula 2000]] series begun in 1973 by way of the Japanese [[Formula Two]] and Japanese [[Formula 3000]] championships. For the most part, the Japanese racing series have closely followed their European counterparts in terms of technical regulations, but there have been some important exceptions.

When European Formula 2 ended in 1984, its Japanese counterpart did not follow suit, continuing to use Formula 2 regulations (with almost-exclusively 2.0 L [[Honda]] engines) for another three years, finally switching to the open Formula 3000 standard in 1987. Once again, Japanese and European regulations paralleled one another, until 1996, when the International Formula 3000 series became a one-make format to lower costs. The Japanese Formula broke away at this time, and made it official by changing the series name to Formula Nippon.

Until recently, Formula Nippon was an open formula, where a variety of chassis builders and engine manufacturers could compete. Chassis were supplied by [[Lola Cars|Lola]], [[Reynard Motorsport|Reynard]], and [[G-Force (car)|G-Force]], while [[Mugen-Honda]] supplied the vast majority of the engines (though [[Cosworth]] engines were found in the Formula 3000 era). However, with the [[bankruptcy]] of Reynard in 2002, and the withdrawal of G-Force a year earlier, Formula Nippon once again followed F3000's lead in becoming a one-make series. Formula Nippon cars are now all Lola B03/50 chassis powered by Mugen-Honda engines; however, unlike F3000, engines in Formula Nippon are open-tuned by private companies.

In 2006 Formula Nippon underwent a drastic revision of its regulations. The current Lola B03/50 chassis was replaced by a new Lola FN06 chassis, while the engine formula underwent drastic revision. Blocks were provided by [[Toyota]] and Honda, using the same block specifications as found in the 2005 [[Indy Racing League]], with open-tuning still permitted.

The 2006 season got off to one of the strangest starts in motorsport history. The opener at [[Fuji Speedway|Fuji]] was cancelled after two safety car laps. Benoît Tréluyer was given the win, and half points were awarded.

However, despite the more technically demanding regulations, Formula Nippon remains a national series, with second tier status compared to the pan-European [[GP2 Series]] and its predecessor Formula 3000. While foreign drivers have always been regular participants in Formula Nippon, these are very often second string drivers who had difficulty in finding a top-level Formula 3000 drive. Nevertheless, there have been several drivers to come from a Japanese Formula 3000 or Formula Nippon drive to a prominent Formula One role; the best-known of these are [[Ralf Schumacher]], the 1996 Formula Nippon champion, and [[Pedro de la Rosa]], the 1997 Formula Nippon champion.

[[Swift Engineering]] in San Clemente, CA is currently producing the chassis that will be contested for the 2009 season.

==Champions==
[[File:Swift 017n.jpg|thumb|220px|The latest Formula Nippon chassis, the [[Swift Engineering|Swift]] FN09 (also known as the Swift 017.n), introduced in the [[2009 Formula Nippon season|2009 season]].]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Japanese Formula 2000
|-
! Year !! Champion
|-
! [[1973 All-Japan Formula 2000 season|1973]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Motoharu Kurosawa]]
|-
! [[1974 All-Japan Formula 2000 season|1974]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Noritake Takahara]]
|-
! [[1975 All-Japan Formula 2000 season|1975]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
|-
! [[1976 All-Japan Formula 2000 season|1976]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Noritake Takahara]]
|-
! [[1977 All-Japan Formula 2000 season|1977]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Japanese Formula Two
|-
! Year !! Champion
|-
! [[1978 All-Japan Formula Two season|1978]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
|-
! [[1979 All-Japan Formula Two season|1979]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Keiiji Matsumoto]]
|-
! [[1980 All-Japan Formula Two season|1980]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Masahiro Hasemi]]
|-
! [[1981 All-Japan Formula Two season|1981]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoru Nakajima]]
|-
! [[1982 All-Japan Formula Two season|1982]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoru Nakajima]]
|-
! [[1983 All-Japan Formula Two season|1983]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Geoff Lees]]
|-
! [[1984 All-Japan Formula Two season|1984]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoru Nakajima]]
|-
! [[1985 All-Japan Formula Two season|1985]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoru Nakajima]]
|-
! [[1986 Japanese Formula Two season|1986]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoru Nakajima]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Japanese Formula 3000
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Runner-up !! Third
|-
! [[1987 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1987]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Aguri Suzuki]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Geoff Lees]]
|-
! [[1988 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1988]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Aguri Suzuki]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Emanuele Pirro]]
|-
! [[1989 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1989]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hitoshi Ogawa]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ross Cheever]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
|-
! [[1990 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1990]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hitoshi Ogawa]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Mauro Martini]]
|-
! [[1991 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1991]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ukyo Katayama]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ross Cheever]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Volker Weidler]]
|-
! [[1992 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1992]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Mauro Martini]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Toshio Suzuki (driver)|Toshio Suzuki]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ross Cheever]]
|-
! [[1993 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1993]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Eddie Irvine]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ross Cheever]]
|-
! [[1994 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1994]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Marco Apicella]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Andrew Gilbert-Scott]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ross Cheever]]
|-
! [[1995 Japanese Formula 3000 season|1995]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Toshio Suzuki (driver)|Toshio Suzuki]]
|colspan="2"| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Toranosuke Takagi]]<br/>{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Tom Kristensen]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Formula Nippon
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Runner-up !! Third
|-
! [[1996 Formula Nippon season|1996]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Ralf Schumacher]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Naoki Hattori]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]
|-
! [[1997 Formula Nippon season|1997]]
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Pedro de la Rosa]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takuya Kurosawa]]
| {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Norberto Fontana]]
|-
! [[1998 Formula Nippon season|1998]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Masami Kageyama]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Juichi Wakisaka]]
|-
! [[1999 Formula Nippon season|1999]]
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[Tom Coronel]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hidetoshi Mitsusada]]
|-
! [[2000 Formula Nippon season|2000]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Toranosuke Takagi]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Michael Krumm]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
|-
! [[2001 Formula Nippon season|2001]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Naoki Hattori]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yuji Tachikawa]]
|-
! [[2002 Formula Nippon season|2002]]
| {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Ralph Firman]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Juichi Wakisaka]]
|-
! [[2003 Formula Nippon season|2003]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Benoît Tréluyer]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Juichi Wakisaka]]
|-
! [[2004 Formula Nippon season|2004]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Richard Lyons (auto racer)|Richard Lyons]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[André Lotterer]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yuji Ide]]
|-
! [[2005 Formula Nippon season|2005]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Satoshi Motoyama]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yuji Ide]]
| {{flagicon|UK}} [[Richard Lyons (auto racer)|Richard Lyons]]
|-
! [[2006 Formula Nippon season|2006]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Benoît Tréluyer]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tsugio Matsuda]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[André Lotterer]]
|-
! [[2007 Formula Nippon season|2007]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tsugio Matsuda]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Benoît Tréluyer]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takashi Kogure]]
|-
! [[2008 Formula Nippon season|2008]]
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tsugio Matsuda]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Loïc Duval]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[André Lotterer]]
|}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.f-nippon.co.jp/ Formula Nippon Official Site]

[[Category:Formula Nippon| ]]

Formula Nippon - Revision history

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