Aimi Saito claimed Japan’s 2024 Kyojo Cup championship in her fifth season with the series, proving she’s got the patience and grit to win in a field designed exclusively for women racers—and she’s married to one of Japan’s most dominant male drivers, making them motorsport’s most intriguing power couple.

EARLY YEARS

Born on August 18 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Aimi Saito’s racing journey began in 1999 when she climbed into a kart and promptly finished third in her debut race. That podium finish as a newcomer signaled something: this girl had the natural speed and composure that separates weekend warriors from actual competitors. She started young, started strong, and clearly had no intention of being just another participant.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Saito’s interests outside of racing isn’t publicly documented, which isn’t surprising for someone who’s spent over two decades building a career in motorsport. When you’re juggling race weekends, sponsorship commitments, and being half of a racing power couple, hobbies tend to take a backseat—literally.

EARLY SUCCESS

After that promising karting debut in 1999, Saito continued developing her craft through the ranks. The details of her progression through junior categories aren’t extensively documented, but the trajectory is clear: she steadily worked her way toward professional racing in Japan, eventually landing in the Kyojo Cup—a series launched in 2017 specifically to create competitive opportunities for women in motorsport. By the time she joined the series, she had years of experience and knew exactly what she was racing for.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024: Won the Kyojo Cup championship in her fifth season with the series, claiming four victories and one second-place finish to take the title by 38.5 points[1][2].
• 2024: Led from start to finish in a commanding Kyojo Cup race, demonstrating the kind of front-running dominance that defines champions[2].
• 2024: Competed in Round 2 of the Kyojo Cup season, securing a hard-fought sprint race victory ahead of Miki Onaga and Rio Shimono[3].
• 2024: Made her Super Taikyu series debut at the Fuji 24 Hours alongside her husband Sho Tsuboi, the reigning Super Formula and Super GT champion, and won the ST-Q class on her first attempt[4].
• 2025: Left Aiwin Racing to join Team M (TOM’S) for the Kyojo Cup season[5].
• 2025: Finished seventh in an early-season Kyojo Cup race after gaining multiple positions throughout the event[6].

INSPIRATIONS

Specific inspirations or mentors in Saito’s career haven’t been publicly documented. However, racing alongside her husband Sho Tsuboi—who won both Super Formula and Super GT in 2024, a feat that establishes him as one of Japan’s best drivers—likely provides both motivation and insight. Being married to someone operating at that level means living with a constant benchmark for excellence, which can’t hurt when you’re chasing your own championships.

REPUTATION

Saito has earned her reputation through consistency and determination rather than flashy headlines. Five seasons in the Kyojo Cup before claiming the championship shows she’s not someone who gives up when immediate success doesn’t materialize. Her victory at the Fuji 24 Hours in her ST-Q class debut proves she can adapt to endurance racing and deliver results outside her comfort zone. The fact that she’s part of motorsport’s most talked-about couple—alongside Tsuboi’s dual championship wins in 2024—adds intrigue, but Saito’s made it clear she’s racing on her own merit, not riding anyone’s coattails.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

In 2025, Saito moved from Aiwin to Team M (TOM’S) for the Kyojo Cup season, a strategic change following her championship year[5]. Looking ahead to 2026, she’s been announced as part of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s motorsport program, where she’ll continue competing in the Kyojo Cup with TOM’S[7]. Toyota’s expanded support for the series signals their commitment to promoting diversity and providing a competitive platform for women drivers, and Saito’s inclusion demonstrates she’s viewed as a key figure in that mission. The 2026 Kyojo Cup season is scheduled for five race weekends at Fuji Speedway, with each event featuring two races[8].

REFERENCES

[1] Sho Tsuboi and Aimi Saito: Motorsport’s power couple of 2024 – DIVEBOMB Motorsport
[2] 2024: Women In Motorsport, a year in review – Racers Behind the Helmet
[3] Kyojo Cup: Aimi Saito takes hard-fought first win of the season – Racers Behind the Helmet
[4] Anna Inotsume takes overall podium, Aimi Saito wins ST-Q – Racers Behind the Helmet
[5] Kyojo Cup: 2025 season guide – Feeder Series
[6] 2025 Kyojo Cup season – Wikipedia
[7] TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Announces 2026 Motorsport Program – Toyota Europe Newsroom
[8] TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Announces 2026 Motorsport Program – Toyota Gazoo Racing