Fuji F1 50th Anniversary Exhibition 'The Unknown Fierce Battle of Fuji' to Feature Legendary 6-Wheeled Tyrrell P34

The Fuji Motorsports Museum (Oyama, Shizuoka) will hold a special exhibition titled 'The Unknown Fierce Battle of Fuji' starting June 19, 2026, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan's first Formula 1 race held at Fuji Speedway in 1976.

In the 1970s, the Japanese auto industry faced the trials of the oil shock and strict emission regulations, leading to a temporary 'winter era' for motorsports. However, passion for the sport never waned. The fervent desire of officials to 'bring the world's best racing to Japan' came to fruition, and in 1976, the 'F1 World Championship in Japan,' the first in both Japan and East Asia, was held at Fuji Speedway.

This exhibition focuses on the immense impact of this unprecedented race and the bold challenges of Japanese teams like Maki and Kojima. Through the many dramas that unfolded in record-breaking heavy rain, it reflects on the excitement and tenacity of the engineers of the time.

Exhibition Highlights

1. Special Display of Legendary Machines Historic cars will be on display, including the Tyrrell P34, the only six-wheeled car ever to compete in F1; the all-Japanese Kojima KE007 and KE009; the Wolf WR1, which won three championships in 1977; and the pioneering Maki F101. More vehicles are scheduled to be added in the latter half of the exhibition.

2. The Reality of the 1976 Fuji Showdown Through previously unreleased photos and footage, the exhibition conveys the excitement of the legendary final race held in heavy rain, including the contrasting decisions of championship contenders Lauda and Hunt, and the unpredictable race developments.

3. The Miracle of Kojima Engineering and the 'Omika Race Village' The exhibition tells the story of the passion and skill of the Japanese craftsmen from the Omika district at the foot of Fuji Speedway, who rebuilt the Kojima Engineering's KE007 in just a day and a half after a major crash in qualifying, getting it ready for the final race.

4. Cultural Exhibition Supporting F1's Popularity Enjoy a valuable archive of F1 culture that swept Japan beyond the racetrack, including original drawings (replicas) from popular F1 manga, record audio of 1976 exhaust notes, and footage of the intense battles.

Exhibition Overview - Title: Fuji F1 50th Anniversary Exhibition 'The Unknown Fierce Battle of Fuji' - Venue: 2F Exhibition Area, Fuji Motorsports Museum - Period: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027 - Admission: Viewable with regular museum admission (e.g., Adults: ¥1,800 on weekdays, ¥2,000 on weekends/holidays; discounts available). - Hours: Vary by day (e.g., Weekdays 10:00-17:00). - Exhibited Vehicles: Cars from the 1976 and 1977 Fuji F1 races (more to be added).

Vehicle Introduction 1. Tyrrell P34 The legendary six-wheeled car, the only one ever used in F1. Its design, featuring four small-diameter front tires, achieved a 1-2 finish at the 1976 Swedish GP. - Team Name: Elf Team Tyrrell - Engine: Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0-liter V8

2. Kojima KE007 An all-Japanese machine developed for the 1976 Japan F1 race. Driven by Masahiro Hasemi, it set the 4th fastest time in qualifying, miraculously recovered from a crash, and completed the final race in heavy rain.