Super Taikyu Series Round 3 is the Fuji 24 Hours. Currently Japan's only 24-hour race, this annual festival of motorsports draws racers, fans, as well as like-minded peers from many fields. We caught up with them on race day.
Making motorsports more welcoming to women
This year’s 24-hour race was notable for the exploits of female drivers, including Mako Hirakawa behind the wheel of the TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) #32 hydrogen-engine Corolla and Aimi Saito in the #28 TGRR GR86 Future FR concept.
And before the main race kicked off on May 30, female Toyota 86 owners gathered for “86 Girls,” a get-together at a short circuit within the Fuji Speedway.
The program featured ride-alongs and driving advice by Kyojo Cup racers Miki Onaga, Rami Sasaki, and Hana Burton, as well as a chance for participants to show off their beloved “Hachiroku” (eight-six) machines. Despite rainy conditions, the atmosphere was electric.
“It was fun meeting so many 86 owners and their cars,” says racing driver Miki Onaga. “There were smiles all round. I’m glad we could share the joy of 86s and motorsports with the other girls.”
