ANNA INOTSUME Scores Maiden Podium as AIMI SAITO Takes ST-Q Class Win at Fuji

June 6, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

ANNA INOTSUME delivered a breakthrough performance at Fuji, claiming her maiden overall Super Taikyu podium with a third-place finish for #101 Hitotsuyama Racing Audi. Despite leading for much of the 24-hour enduro and looking set for victory, a late-race tire failure cost her team 11 laps and the win. Still, we’ll take this podium as proof that when given proper machinery and opportunity, women can absolutely compete at the highest levels of endurance racing.
AIMI SAITO made an immediate impact in her Super Taikyu debut, winning the ST-Q class with #28 Rookie Racing Toyota alongside a star-studded lineup including her husband, reigning Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi. The reigning Kyojo Cup champion showed she belongs in premier Japanese motorsport, making it look easy against seasoned competition in what’s considered one of the most demanding races of the season.
The women’s contingent faced typical endurance racing drama, with RIONA TOMISHITA’s #225 KTMS Toyota running strong in sixth place in ST-2 before late mechanical troubles dropped them to fifth. Meanwhile, HANA BURTON showed impressive pace in ST-5F, running as high as third before engine failure forced retirement – exactly the kind of “what could have been” moment that reminds us why reliability matters as much as speed in endurance racing.