Maaya Orido
Sports Car racing //
Maaya's Socials:
Maaya Orido is Japan’s rising female racing star, daughter of pro driver Manabu “Max” Orido, competing in the Kyojo Cup series and Global Time Attack events since 2021.
Maaya's Sponsors:
I am lucky that I get a lot of chances to see and drive many different cars. I am sure that being car lover is something influenced by my dad.
CHAT & RACER CALENDAR COMING
NEWS:
GRRL! Weekly Top-10 Newsletter
SubscribeSOCIALS:
VIDEOS:
FULL BIO: Maaya Orido
Maaya Orido is a rising star in Japanese female motorsports, carrying on the family racing legacy as the daughter of renowned professional driver Manabu “Max” Orido. Currently competing in the female-only Kyojo Cup series and Global Time Attack events, she represents Japan’s next generation of talented female racers.
EARLY YEARS
Born around 2000-2001, Maaya grew up completely immersed in motorsports culture thanks to her father’s prominent racing career. Manabu “Max” Orido, a well-known Japanese professional driver active in Super Taikyu and GT World Challenge Asia, provided his daughter with firsthand exposure to the racing world from an early age. She was passionate about cars from childhood, regularly attending motorsport events and learning from her father’s deep involvement in Japan’s aftermarket tuning scene. Around 2018, when she was approximately 18 years old, Maaya began learning to drive manual transmission cars with personal coaching from her father—a hands-on education that most aspiring racers could only dream of.
OTHER INTERESTS
While Maaya’s public profile centers entirely around motorsports, specific details about her other interests, hobbies, or activities outside of racing remain private.
EARLY SUCCESS
Maaya’s transition from passionate car enthusiast to competitive racer began around 2021, marking the start of what would become three years of serious racing experience by 2024. She found her competitive home in the Kyojo Cup, a female-only Japanese racing series that provided the perfect platform for developing her skills. Her early racing career has been supported by professional coaching at the 130R Yokohama facility, which includes simulator training for driver development. Under continued guidance from her father and dedicated trainers, she’s built a reputation as a driver to watch in Japan’s female racing circles.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2024: Competed in Global Time Attack at Buttonwillow Raceway driving an APEXi-sponsored GR86.
- 2020-2024: Active competitor in Japan’s female-only Kyojo Cup series.
INSPIRATIONS
Maaya’s primary inspiration comes directly from home—her father Manabu “Max” Orido serves as both her biggest influence and her most trusted mentor. As she puts it: “I am lucky that I get a lot of chances to see and drive many different cars. I am sure that being car lover is something influenced by my dad.” The unique advantage of growing up with a professional racing driver as a father has shaped not only her driving skills but her entire approach to motorsports.
REPUTATION
Within Japan’s motorsports community, Maaya is known as both a rising talent and the proud continuation of the Orido racing legacy. Her positive reputation benefits from her father’s respected status in Japanese racing, but she’s working to establish her own identity on track. Media coverage, including a notable 2020 Speedhunters interview, has highlighted her growing presence in motorsport culture. She’s seen as humble and focused on skill development, openly acknowledging her family’s influence while demonstrating genuine commitment to improving as a driver. Her involvement with sponsors like APEXi indicates growing commercial recognition within Japan’s female racing scene.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
While specific plans for 2025 and beyond haven’t been publicly detailed, Maaya has expressed clear ambitions to progress her competitive racing career further. Her continued involvement in both the Kyojo Cup and Global Time Attack events suggests she’s building experience across different racing formats, likely positioning herself for opportunities in higher-level competitions as her skills and reputation continue to develop.
References:
Wikipedia – Manabu Orido
Mod in Japan Blog – Global Time Attack 2024
Speedhunters – Maaya Orido Feature
Speedhunters – Maaya Orido Answers Your Questions
Cell Microcosmos – Driver Profile
Have Maaya updates or corrections? Please let us know – We’d love to keep this profile current.
