RIO SHIMONO Controls Kyojo Cup Title Fight as MIKI ONAGA & AIMI SAITO Chase

October 9, 2025

by MARCO ALBERTINI // from www.racers-behindthehelmet.com

• RIO SHIMONO has positioned herself perfectly for her first Kyojo Cup title, leading by 26 points with three wins from six races. The experienced driver capitalized on her Super FJ and Japanese F4 background to dominate early, sweeping both season-opening races at Fuji before adding two more victories in August despite hybrid system issues affecting her mid-season performance.
• Former champion MIKI ONAGA sits second but lost crucial ground after a disastrous qualifying session left her starting from the back and collecting a 30-second penalty. The 2022 series winner showed her class by climbing 10 positions in the final race, but her 28-point deficit means she needs flawless weekends to stay in contention for the title.
• Defending champion AIMI SAITO has endured an uncharacteristically rocky title defense, sitting third and 47 points behind SHIMONO. After struggling early with pace issues, SAITO found form in July with a pole-to-victory performance, but a costly crash while leading in wet conditions derailed her momentum and left her needing perfection to salvage her championship hopes.
• The championship battle showcases impressive depth with rookie KOKORO SATO running fourth and consistently scoring points in every race, while veterans like MAKO HIRAKAWA and rising stars HANA BURTON demonstrate the series’ competitive balance. With 21 drivers competing and only three managing wins across six races, the Kyojo Cup proves that talent runs deep when women get equal machinery and opportunity.

fuji speedway, japanese motorsport, kyojo cup, open-wheel racing