June Okanoya

Jun Okanoya made history as the first woman to compete in Japan’s premier GT racing series in 1995, delivering a stunning second-place class finish in her debut race that wouldn’t be matched by another woman for nearly three decades.

EARLY YEARS

Before stepping into the elite world of GT racing, Okanoya had been cutting her teeth in Clubman-level motorsports since 1988. She was refreshingly relatable—an everywoman who balanced her passion for racing with working as a driving instructor, proving you didn’t need a trust fund or factory backing to chase speed.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the cockpit, Okanoya worked as a driving instructor, sharing her skills and knowledge with others before making her leap into professional racing. After her competitive career ended, she found a new way to stay connected to the sport she loved, working as a course announcer for national-level clubman races—keeping her voice in the racing world even after hanging up her helmet.

EARLY SUCCESS

Okanoya’s arrival on the big stage came on April 2, 1995, at Suzuka Circuit for the opening round of the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship’s third season. Racing for Ooyama Racing alongside team owner Shigeru Ooyama in the #32 Nissan Skyline GT-R, she became the first woman to compete in what would become known as SUPER GT. The Group N-spec Skyline GT-R, powered by the legendary RB26DETT 2.6-liter twin-turbo inline-six, competed in the Class 2 (GT2) category against a competitive field. In that debut at the Suzuka GT 300km Race, Okanoya contributed to a remarkable second-place class finish—an achievement that would stand as the best result by a woman in JGTC/SUPER GT history for 29 years.

The momentum continued at the All-Japan Fuji GT Race during Golden Week on May 4, 1995, at Fuji Speedway. Against an even larger GT2 grid, Okanoya and Ooyama once again delivered a strong performance with their Lantec-backed Skyline, proving the debut result was no fluke. She competed in just two races during the 1995 season, both alongside Ooyama, finishing the championship in 11th place in Class 2 with 19 points.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1995: First woman to compete in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), making her debut at Suzuka Circuit on April 2.
• 1995: Second-place Class 2 finish at Suzuka GT 300km Race in her debut race—a result that remained the best finish by a woman in JGTC/SUPER GT for 29 years until Lilou Wadoux matched it in 2024.
• 1995: Competed in two JGTC races for Ooyama Racing, finishing 11th in the Class 2 championship with 19 points.

INSPIRATIONS

No information available.

REPUTATION

Okanoya’s legacy in Japanese motorsport extends far beyond her brief but impactful racing career. As a trailblazer who opened doors for women in GT racing, her 1995 achievements set a benchmark that stood for nearly three decades. Her approachability and grassroots background made her a relatable figure in a sport often dominated by privilege and backing. Long after her driving days ended, she remained a beloved presence in the paddock as a course announcer, her voice becoming familiar to generations of clubman racers. When Lilou Wadoux finally equaled her second-place finish in 2024, it served as a reminder of just how extraordinary Okanoya’s accomplishment had been—and how long it took for another woman to match it.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

No information available.

REFERENCES

[1] Miki Koyama, And The Women Who Preceded Her In SUPER GT – Daily Sportscar
[2] Deloitte TOM’S GR Supra Wins Wet, Wild Race At Sugo – Daily Sportscar
[3] Jun Okanoya (J) – Complete Archive – Racing Sports Cars
[4] Jun Okanoya Racing Career Profile – Driver Database
[5] 1995 All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship – Wikipedia
[6] 300 km Suzuka 1995 – Entry List – Racing Sports Cars
[7] All Japan GT Fuji 1995 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars