Formula Regional Japanese Championship, the new regional Formula 3 series set to be launched in Japan this year, has delayed its debut once again due to coronavirus.
The series is pitched at being directly above Japanese Formula 4, and will use a new chassis designed by Dome and powered by a 270bhp four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
Slow progress in Dome’s designing and manufacturing of the car was an influence in Super Formula Lights (previously known as Japanese F3) choosing to move on to the Dallara 320 car for this year.
Japan initially held back from postponing events as COVID-19 spread across the globe, but its premier series Super Formula ended up reschediling most of its season and Japanese F4 is now due to begin in July.
Back in April it was announced that Fuji Speedway had lost its season opening and closing slots on the FRJC calendar due to the virus, with the second round at Okayama on June 27/28 all but Tcancelled too.
Autopolis, venue of the next round, was quick to confirm it would postpone its races from August 1/2 to December 12/13, but there were no calendar updates from the championship itself for two months.
An all-new calendar now has Fuji reinstated as a three-race season opener on August 1/2, with a pre-event test too.
Sportsland SUGO’s triple-header on August 22/23 didn’t look under threat and has kept its spot, with the second Fuji round now scheduled to come after it with two races on September 4/5.
The remaining rounds at Twin Ring Motegi (September 19/20), Okayama (October 31/November 1) and Autopolis all stick to the two-race format.
To Formula Scout’s knowledge, no drivers have publicly committed to racing in the series.