URAWA RACE TRACK
Today we'll take a look at the last of the four Minami-Kanto dirt tracks run by the NAR organization - the rather quaint Urawa racecourse in Saitama...

Before the war, there was a track at Omiya, but this was abandoned after the conflict. For a short time there was racing at Kasukabe in the immediate post-war years, but with the upheaval on governing bodies caused by the disbanding of the Japan Racing Society, the decision was taken by the local government to open a new facility at Urawa. The site officially opened in October 1947, with the first meeting taking place six months later.

Although the Noda Training Centre takes pressure off the site, the anti-clockwise Urawa track itself (and the paddock that goes with it) is a small one, making the start for 1600m races, which takes place off the third corner, notoriously difficult. On saying that, the limited size makes you feel closer to the action! The main races of the year are the Urawa Kinen, which I went to the other day, and the Sakitama Cup.

The facility was losing money for many years after 'The Bubble' burst, but it's now firmly back in the black, with a park inside that can be used on non-race days, and even a heliport - useful if ever I get a helicopter licence! There is also a radio station called FM Urawa, used to promote race meetings and other events held at the track.