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Six drivers, 33 points: KYOJO CUP’s closest-ever title fight

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October 27, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • RIONA TOMISHITA leads on 75 pts for Cerumo/INGING, but her slim margin after an October podium-less round leaves the title wide open heading into the finale.
  • Australian teenager JOANNE CICONTE sits five points back, chasing history as Kyojo Cup’s first foreign — and potentially first winless — champion, backed by KCMG.
  • Two-time title contender AIMI SAITO is six points off the lead for TOM’S, but a retirement in October’s Kyojo Final while battling Tomishita dented her campaign.
  • KOKORO SATO arrives with momentum after winning this month’s Kyojo Final, sitting fourth on 64 pts and within striking distance of her maiden car racing title.
  • Reigning champion RIO SHIMONO, dominant in 2025, sits sixth on 49 pts but showed pace with a wet-weather Kyojo Final win in September, keeping her mathematical hopes alive.

UPCOMING:

  • Kyojo Cup Final Round — Free Practice sessions: Thursday, October 29, 2026 (11:20, 13:00, 14:20 JST) and Friday, October 30, 2026 (10:20, 12:30, 14:30 JST); Qualifying + Kyojo Sprint (10 laps): Saturday, October 31, 2026; Kyojo Final (15 laps): Sunday, November 1, 2026 — live on Inter Proto Series x Kyojo Cup YouTube channel.

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by MARCO ALBERTINI originally appearing on racers-behindthehelmet.com