Keiko Ihara

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13 Women Break Barriers in FIA WEC History – KEIKO IHARA Led the Charge

September 23, 2025

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  Keiko Ihara is a pioneering Japanese racing driver who broke barriers as the first Asian woman to complete the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and achieved impressive standings in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

  EARLY YEARS

  Keiko’s journey into motorsports began unexpectedly during her university years when she worked part-time at racing circuits. Her first significant exposure to the racing world came in 1998 when she worked as a “race queen” – a promotional model for racing teams. Captivated by the intense focus and teamwork displayed by everyone from drivers to mechanics, she developed a growing passion for the sport. This led her to obtain her driver’s license and become a driving school instructor to develop her vehicle control skills, laying the groundwork for her eventual racing career despite having no formal childhood introduction to motorsports.[1][2][4]

  EARLY SUCCESS

  At age 25, Ihara made her competitive debut in the FIA-licensed Ferrari Challenge Japan series, where she immediately dominated and earned MVP of the year. She solidified her early promise by securing second place at the Ferrari Challenge World Finals. These triumphs bolstered her confidence to compete internationally in the British Formula Renault 2.0 series, where she raced alongside future Formula 1 stars like Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa. Before these breakthrough moments, she had already demonstrated her talent with a third-place finish in the Formula BMW Asia Championship and podium finishes in AF2000 events. Her progression through competitive series in Japan, France, and the UK showcased both her versatility and commitment to excelling in a sport where she faced significant barriers as a Japanese woman.[4][5]

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2013: Achieved 22nd overall in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the highest standing of any female racer in the series.[3][5]
  • 2014: Completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 9th in class and becoming the first Japanese woman to finish this prestigious endurance race.[4][5]
  • 1998-2017: Competed across 70 countries during her 19-year racing career.[5]

  REPUTATION

  Keiko has earned respect throughout the motorsports world for her tenacity in overcoming both gender-based prejudices in Japanese racing and cultural and language barriers when competing in Europe. Her approach to racing, which emphasizes “hard work and team harmony,” has distinguished her as someone who blends technical driving ability with exceptional mental endurance. What makes Ihara’s achievements particularly impressive is that she competed against men with significant advantages in experience, physical strength, and established support networks. Beyond her racing prowess, she’s regarded as an educator and consultant who advocates for women’s advancement in motorsports, creating a reputation that extends far beyond the track. She’s not just known for breaking barriers as a competitor, but for actively working to reshape the landscape of racing to be more inclusive.[2][4][5]

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  In 2025 and beyond, while Keiko has stepped back from active competition, her influence continues through her ongoing partnership with Nissan to promote zero-emissions mobility, marrying her motorsport expertise with clean energy initiatives. She continues her advisory work for major automotive companies, with a focus on making motorsports more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Her long-term aspirations include seeing more women racing in top-tier events without the “first woman” qualifier and ensuring sustainability becomes fundamentally integrated into the future of racing, working to break barriers for the next generation of female racers.[2][5]

  References:

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