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Hana Burton is a Japanese-American race car driver and content creator who traded Los Angeles for Tokyo to chase her motorsports dreams—no racing family, no karting since childhood, just pure determination and a willingness to start from scratch in a country where she could barely speak the language.

EARLY YEARS

Born May 21, 1997, in Japan, Burton grew up as a half-Japanese kid who would eventually find herself navigating two cultures and two languages in pursuit of a racing career. She spent her formative years in Los Angeles, California, where motorsports wasn’t exactly the family business. Unlike many drivers who cut their teeth in karting as kids, Burton came to racing later, without the traditional path or the deep pockets that usually accompany it. Her route into the cockpit started with track days and time attack competitions in the States—not glamorous, but real, grassroots, and a hell of a learning curve.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Burton has carved out a niche as a content creator and social media personality, amassing over 550,000 followers on her Instagram account @hanubuu_. She’s not just posting grid selfies—she’s documenting her journey, connecting with fans, and showing what it really takes to be a woman in motorsports. In 2022, she took on the role of official English commentator for the Super Taikyu Series, proving she can talk the talk as well as drive the drive. Her partnerships with brands like ENEOS, Acura, and Goodyear show she’s building a presence that extends well beyond race day.

EARLY SUCCESS

Burton’s leap from casual track days to professional racing came in 2022 when she made the bold decision to move to Japan and compete in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris Cup. It was a gutsy move—relocating to a country where she had connections but limited language skills, diving into a competitive series with zero wheel-to-wheel experience. She earned the 2022 Toyota Gazoo Rookie of the Year Award, a recognition that validated her risk and proved she belonged. That same year, she also worked as the English voice for Super Taikyu, giving international audiences access to a series that had long been Japan-only territory. In 2023, she stepped up to the all-female Kyojo Cup with Fujita Pharmacy Racing. It wasn’t an instant fairytale—she struggled early but earned her maiden points at the season finale, a small but significant breakthrough. She also competed in the 2023 Global Time Attack Finals in Los Angeles as part of Team ENEOS, co-piloting an A’PEXi GR86 with fellow driver Maaya Orido. The chance to race back home, in front of an American crowd, added another layer to her growing resume.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2022: Earned Toyota Gazoo Rookie of the Year Award in the Yaris Cup[1].
• 2022: Served as official English commentator for the Super Taikyu Series[2].
• 2023: Scored maiden points in the Kyojo Cup season finale with Fujita Pharmacy Racing[3].
• 2023: Competed in Global Time Attack Finals in Los Angeles with Team ENEOS, co-piloting an A’PEXi GR86[4].
• 2024: Claimed first place in Radical Time Attack Round 1 at the Mandalika Festival of Speed with Senora Racing, posting a time of 1:40.172[5].
• 2024: Competed in both Kyojo Cup and Fuji Championship series, finishing ninth in Kyojo Cup standings[6].
• 2024: Participated in FIA Girls on Track program in Tokyo during the E-Prix, inspiring young girls to pursue motorsport[7].

INSPIRATIONS

A pivotal moment came when Burton met Masanori Sekiya, the first Japanese driver to win at Le Mans, at the Tokyo Auto Salon. That encounter led to an audition that would change everything—an opportunity she hadn’t been looking for but seized anyway. She also credits meeting Japanese racer Arisa Mizuhara during an event in America as influential in her decision to pursue racing in Japan. Mizuhara’s presence and success showed her that it was possible. Burton has also been mentored by Daisuke Ito starting in her third Kyojo Cup season with TOM’S, benefiting from his deep experience in Japanese motorsports. These connections weren’t handed to her—she built them through persistence, late-night practice, and showing up even when the odds felt stacked.

REPUTATION

Burton is known for her authenticity and her willingness to talk openly about the challenges of being a late-starting, non-traditional driver in a highly competitive environment. She’s candid about the financial realities, the language barriers, and the grind of proving herself in a male-dominated sport. Her social media presence isn’t polished PR—it’s real, relatable, and refreshingly honest. She’s become a visible advocate for women in motorsports, not by grandstanding but by simply doing the work and sharing the journey. In interviews, she’s noted that the environment for female racers in Japan is mostly positive, though she’s clear-eyed about the work still to be done. Her involvement in the FIA Girls on Track program and her visibility at events like the Tokyo E-Prix underscore her commitment to opening doors for the next generation.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

In 2025, Burton returns to the Kyojo Cup as a Toyota Gazoo Racing-backed driver with TOM’S—a significant vote of confidence and a major step up in support. The series is transitioning to Formula 4 machinery, marking her debut in formula racing and a new chapter in her career. She’s also expressed a long-term ambition to continue developing her skills and eventually compete at the highest levels of motorsport. The dream is big, the path is uncertain, but if the last few years have proven anything, it’s that she’s not afraid to take the leap.

REFERENCES

From time attacks to circuit racing: Hana Burton’s journey to Kyojo Cup
Hana Burton – Age, Bio, Family | Famous Birthdays
Hana Burton with Senora Racing to be 1st winner in Radical Time Attack
Hana Burton Goes Full Throttle into Racing
Car racers Hana Burton and Maaya Orido join FIA Girls on Track program
Hana Burton returns to Kyojo Cup as TGR-backed driver
Sekuya Racing Secures Third Straight Win at Mandalika Festival of Speed 2024
Team ENEOS Joins Forces with A’PEXi USA for Global Time Attack 2023
While motorsports’ inclusivity has improved, there’s still work to be done
Hana Burton on women in racing, starting late and her dream
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Presents its 2025 motorsport team setups