Paul, around 2005-6 I got to visit Suzuka when I worked for Honda F1
It's a spectacular track, walked the full length, elevation changes and sweeping corners must really flow well in an F1 car at speed
Got to help with 3 or 4 pit stops too, was disappointed I didn't crap myself as time slowed down in my head as the car dived in for fuel and tyres, sort of like when you're on your way to a car, motorbike, skiing accident
Already crapped my pants that weekend, when I was called to the back of the garage after 1st practice to be shown a rear wing assembly with a failed centre carbon support.
Had to think fast, on that one, we had a composite NDT inspector from an aircraft manufacturer expressed down on the bullet train. I really put the poor guy on the spot, under a lot of pressure, home team might not be racing if we can't manage the problem. I needed very quickly to understand his level of skill/experience to be confident he knew his stuff, as we would be risking both drivers lives if the wrong call was made. Gave him a test, he passed, we went racing, not sure who was more relieved, me, the NDT inspector, team principle, both drivers or the head of Honda motorsport
I'm in Japan now, sadly won't be at the race, have enjoyed spending half of the last 6 months working here, been super busy, fast tracking the learning/knowledge of some very clever, young engineers on how to do good composite design for mototsport
Amazing country, huge modified car centric culture, lovely/polite people and great food. Japan is made my top 5 list of favourite countries to spend time in
If a visit to Japan is not on anyone's bucket list, it really needs to be, best way of describing being hete is it's like visiting another planet or being in the original Blade Runner film