The Japan Keirin Autorace Foundation, or , is the regulating body for pari-mutuel
keirin
– "racing track" – is a form of Motor-paced racing, motor-paced cycle racing in which track cycling, track cyclists sprint for victory following a speed-controlled start behind a motorized or non-motorized pacer. It was developed in Japan ...
cycle racing and
flat track motorcycle racing competitions in
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
. These sports—two of Japan's four authorized where
gambling is permitted—were originally regulated by two separate organizations. These sports and organizations were brought under the authority of the JKA on April 1, 2008.
Keirin
Prior to the JKA's founding,
keirin
– "racing track" – is a form of Motor-paced racing, motor-paced cycle racing in which track cycling, track cyclists sprint for victory following a speed-controlled start behind a motorized or non-motorized pacer. It was developed in Japan ...
races were overseen by the , or Japan Keirin Association, often abbreviated NJS. Today the present JKA is responsible for fostering Japan's
bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered transport, human-powered or motorized bicycle, motor-assisted, bicycle pedal, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two bicycle wheel, wheels attached to a ...
industry and regulating keirin racing in Japan.
In addition to licensing keirin racers, the association sets specifications for frames and parts such as wheel size, spoke count, frame geometry, and even weight and material of components. These requirements were established in 1957 in an attempt to prevent any racers from having equipment-related advantages.
Because the foundation's main objective is supporting the Japanese cycling market, its bureaucracy is notoriously critical of foreign manufacturers attempting to enter the Japanese market. The Italian cycling equipment manufacturer Campagnolo has, though, received keirin racing certification.
A common misconception regarding certification is that it is a mark of quality, when in fact it is simply a mark of standardization; parts stamped with the NJS logo have become fashionable in recent years with some Western cyclists.
Flat track motorcycle racing (auto race)
Japan's
flat track motorcycling industry was overseen by the prior to the founding of the JKA.
Notes
External links
JKA official websiteKeirin official websiteFlat Track website
{{Authority control
Cycle racing in Japan
Cycle racing organizations
Motorsport in Japan
Sports governing bodies in Japan