NASCAR Cup Series

F1 says Japanese GP not affected by quake

Published Jul. 23, 2011 3:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

Formula 1 officials say the March earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan will not affect the Japanese Grand Prix to be held Oct. 9 at the Suzuka track, and are urging fans to attend.

Masaru Unno, a representative of the Suzuka circuit, said Saturday that the Suzuka circuit's distant location from Fukushima means it won't be affected by any health threats stemming from the meltdowns.

A March 11 earthquake and tsunami led to partial meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant located northeast of Tokyo and nearly 310 miles from Suzuka.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says he will buy 3,000 tickets for the race to give away to fans and that if the race were deemed unsafe, organizers would call it off.

Ecclestone says ''the race will go on as usual.''