Riona Tomishita is a rising Japanese racing driver who made headlines by winning on her endurance racing debut and has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting young talents in Japanese motorsport.

EARLY YEARS

Born on June 5, 2006, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Riona Tomishita entered the racing world at a young age. While specific details about her karting background remain limited, her natural talent became immediately apparent when she made her debut in the Kyojo Cup in 2023. At just 17 years old, she qualified on pole position in her very first race—a statement of intent that announced her arrival in Japanese single-seater racing. Though she retired at the penultimate corner on lap eight while running in the top five during that debut race, the raw speed was undeniable.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Tomishita’s interests outside of racing is not currently available in public sources.

EARLY SUCCESS

Tomishita’s 2024 Kyojo Cup season showed consistent progress as she competed in her second full year in the all-female racing series. She finished fifth overall in the championship standings with two podium finishes, demonstrating her growing race craft and consistency. As the youngest driver on the grid, she missed the fourth race of the season but still managed to remain competitive in the points battle. She ended the season with a fourth-place finish at the finale, having also won an exhibition race earlier that month.

The 2025 season marked a turning point in Tomishita’s career trajectory. Competing for Cerumo・INGING in the newly formatted Kyojo Cup—which switched to FIA-F4 specification formula cars—she demonstrated her adaptability to the more advanced machinery. She also began competing in the FCR Vita series, where she took second place in the opening round and then charged from fourth to first in wet conditions to win her second race, establishing herself as a leader in both the FCR Vita and Kyojo Vita standings.

But it was in endurance racing where Tomishita truly made her mark. Making her Super Taikyu debut at Mobility Resort Motegi in March 2025, she joined teammates Tokiya Suzuki and Hibiki Taira in the #225 KTMS Toyota GR Yaris competing in the ST-2 class. In a thrilling finish, 18-year-old Toyota prospect Tokiya Suzuki made a late pass for the lead, securing a debut class victory for the entire team. For Tomishita, winning in her first-ever endurance race was an extraordinary achievement that set the tone for what would become a breakthrough season.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2023: Took pole position on debut in Kyojo Cup[1].
• 2024: Finished fifth overall in Kyojo Cup championship with two podium finishes[2].
• 2024: Won Kyojo Cup exhibition race[3].
• 2025: Won ST-2 class at Mobility Resort Motegi on Super Taikyu debut[4].
• 2025: Scored second ST-2 class victory at Autopolis Super Taikyu round, jumping to second in points[5].
• 2025: Took third ST-2 class win at Okayama in penultimate Super Taikyu round[6].
• 2025: Finished runner-up in Super Taikyu ST-2 class with three wins and five podiums[7].
• 2025: Won FCR Vita race from fourth on the grid in wet conditions[8].
• 2025: Led both FCR Vita and Kyojo Vita championship standings[9].
• 2025: Reached the podium multiple times in Kyojo Cup season[10].

INSPIRATIONS

No information about Tomishita’s racing inspirations or role models is currently available.

REPUTATION

Tomishita has built a reputation for raw speed and fearless racing, particularly in challenging conditions. Her ability to win on debut in endurance racing—a discipline entirely new to her—showcased not just talent but remarkable composure under pressure. Multiple observers have noted her “raw speed” throughout her career, and her pole position on debut in 2023 remains a defining moment that illustrates her qualifying prowess.

What sets her apart is versatility. She’s proven competitive in multiple formats: single-seater racing in Kyojo Cup, endurance racing in Super Taikyu, and the FCR Vita series. Her wet-weather drive from fourth to first in FCR Vita demonstrated advanced car control and racecraft beyond her years. At just 18 and 19 years old during her breakthrough 2025 season, she became one of the youngest drivers to achieve sustained success in Japanese endurance racing.

In 2025, she was recognized among the standout Japanese female racers making international headlines, with her name appearing alongside Kokoro Sato, Rami Sasaki, and Mako Hirakawa in year-end motorsport reviews highlighting women’s achievements in racing. Her association with Good Smile Racing’s Racing Miku program—where she drives car number 225—has also raised her profile beyond traditional racing circles.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

For the 2026 season, Tomishita has been retained by Cerumo・INGING for another campaign in the Kyojo Cup, demonstrating the team’s confidence in her continued development. More significantly, she’s been named to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s driver development program, marking official recognition from one of motorsport’s most prestigious manufacturer programs. This placement opens potential pathways toward higher-level Toyota-supported racing opportunities in Japan and possibly internationally.

Her dual-program approach—continuing in both single-seater and endurance racing—suggests a strategic career plan focused on building comprehensive racing skills rather than specializing too early. Whether she ultimately pursues a path in prototype endurance racing, GT competition, or continues climbing the single-seater ladder remains to be seen, but her 2025 performance has positioned her as a driver to watch closely in Japanese motorsport’s next generation.

REFERENCES

[1] Riona Tomishita wins on Super Taikyu debut – Racers Behind the Helmet
[2] Kyojo Cup: 2025 season guide – Feeder Series
[3] Kyojo Cup: Aimi Saito wins season finale, clinches 2024 crown – Racers Behind the Helmet
[4] Seven X Seven Porsche Wins On Super Taikyu Debut – Daily Sportscar
[5] Riona Tomishita, Shion Tsujimoto win in class at Autopolis – Racers Behind the Helmet
[6] Super Taikyu: Tomishita, Tsujimoto take back-to-back class wins at Okayama – Racers Behind the Helmet
[7] Riona Tomishita – Wikipedia
[8] FCR VITA: Riona Tomishita charges from fourth to first in wet conditions – Racers Behind the Helmet
[9] 2025: Women In Motorsport, a year in review – Racers Behind the Helmet
[10] How has the Kyojo Cup grid adapted to the series’ new era? – Racers Behind the Helmet
[11] TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Announces 2026 Motorsport Program – Toyota Gazoo Racing
[12] Atelier Ryza Artist Drew New Racing Miku Design for 2025 – Siliconera