The Suzuka Circuit and Fuji Speedway, Japan's two leading motor racing venues, will stage the Japanese Grand Prix of the Formula One championship series alternately from 2009. Bernie Ecclestone, vice president of the sport's governing body FIA, made the announcement Saturday opening the way for the Japanese Grand Prix to return to Suzuka after the Fuji Speedway hosts it for two consecutive years. The Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, a Toyota affiliate, will host the Japanese Grand Prix for the first time in 30 years on Sept. 28-30 after FIA dropped Honda-owned Suzuka in Mie Prefecture from its calendar after a 20-year run. The first Formula One race in Japan was held at Fuji in 1976 and returned to the circuit the next year. After a nine-year hiatus, Suzuka became home of the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987 and saw its contract with FIA expire last year.
