Marie Iwaoka is a Japanese racing driver who proved that athleticism translates beautifully to the track—she went from teaching gymnastics to claiming the 2023 TCR Japan championship, and she’s been flipping expectations (sometimes literally) ever since.

EARLY YEARS

Born on March 5, 1993, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Marie Iwaoka wasn’t initially destined for motorsport. Before she ever strapped into a race car, she worked as a gymnastics instructor, building the kind of discipline and body control that would later serve her well at high speeds. Her path into racing came through Mazda’s Women in Motorsport Project in 2015—a grassroots initiative designed to identify and develop female driving talent in Japan. It was the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often, and Iwaoka grabbed it with both hands.

OTHER INTERESTS

Iwaoka’s gymnastics background isn’t just a footnote—it’s part of her identity. She can still nail back handsprings and somersaults, skills she keeps sharp because she has a very specific dream: to win a race and celebrate on the podium with a backflip. It’s the kind of goal that perfectly captures her personality—focused, ambitious, and just a little bit cheeky. She holds an International B racing license and continues to balance her athletic background with the demands of competitive motorsport.

EARLY SUCCESS

Iwaoka’s early racing career was all about learning and grinding. After joining Mazda’s women’s program, she spent her initial years competing in regional one-make series and endurance racing, slowly building experience. Between 2017 and 2018, she racked up wins in the Audi A1 one-make series (two victories in 2017) and the Z Expert Trophy (three wins in 2018). But it was in Japan’s grueling Super Taikyu endurance championship where she really began to make her mark. In 2018, she joined Love Drive Racing—an all-female team organized by legendary driver Keiko Ihara—and competed in the ST-5 class driving a Mazda Roadster. The team ran the entire season, including a brutal 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway. By 2019, Iwaoka was part of the all-female #50 Love Drive Racing Roadster lineup that competed at iconic circuits like Suzuka, proving she could hang in endurance racing’s toughest environments.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2017: Won two rounds of the Audi A1 one-make series.
• 2018: Secured three victories in the Z Expert Trophy.
• 2018: Competed full season with all-female Love Drive Racing team in Super Taikyu ST-5 class, including 24-hour race at Fuji.
• 2018–19: Participated in the Asian Le Mans Series with R24 Racing, part of an all-female lineup including Sarah Bovy and Stephanie Kox, finishing eighth in a Ligier JS P3.
• 2020: Continued with Love Drive Racing in Super Taikyu, achieving the team’s best results of the season.
• 2023: Won the TCR Japan championship driving for Dome Racing with five wins and two additional podiums, finishing second in the championship standings with seven total podiums and two pole positions.
• 2024–2025: Competed in Super Taikyu ST-5 class with various teams including Love Drive Racing and Murakami Motors, securing multiple top-five finishes.

INSPIRATIONS

No specific information available.

REPUTATION

Iwaoka has built a reputation as a versatile and determined competitor who thrives in endurance racing and touring car formats. She’s known for her consistency and technical skill, particularly in tight, competitive fields. Her involvement with all-female racing teams, especially Love Drive Racing, has made her a visible figure in Japan’s push for greater female representation in motorsport. She’s not flashy about it—she just shows up, does the work, and delivers results. Her TCR Japan championship win in 2023 was a statement: she’s not just here to participate, she’s here to win.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

As of 2025, Iwaoka continues competing in the Super Taikyu Series and has entered the Kyojo Cup series with Tokyo representation. She remains active in Japan’s domestic racing scene, focusing on endurance racing in the ST-5 class. And somewhere, tucked in the back of her mind, is that podium backflip—still waiting for its moment.

REFERENCES

Marie Iwaoka – Racing Driver Profile – 51GT3
Circuit Racers from Southeast Asia – Speedqueens
December 2020 – Speedqueens
Good will, Good smile, Good drive – Marie Iwaoka Official
GTNET Motor Sports On Pole Position At Suzuka Super Taikyu 5 Hours
Asian LMS – Spirit of Race (Ligier) wins the first race of the season!
2019 Super Taikyu Series – Wikipedia
Mazda Cars Dominate ST-5 class Podium at S-Tai Final Round
Kyojo Cup: 2025 season guide – Feeder Series
Super Taikyu Fuji Final, Outstanding 65 Car Entry List