Australian Racing Talents Take on New Challenge in Japan
Two rising stars of Australian motorsport are set to embark on a new chapter this weekend as they compete in the Kyojo Cup, an all-female racing series in Japan. The season begins at the iconic Fuji Speedway, where Australians Joanne Ciconte and Paige Raddatz will make their debuts. This marks a significant step for both drivers as they aim to showcase their talents on an international stage.
The Kyojo Cup is a single-make racing series, with all drivers competing in identical cars. The five rounds of the season will take place at Fuji Speedway, featuring one sprint race and one feature race each weekend. This format provides a consistent challenge for drivers, allowing them to focus on skill development rather than car performance differences.
Ciconte and Raddatz are part of a growing group of young Australian women making waves in global motorsport. Ciconte previously competed in the F1 Academy, where she raced against Victorian driver Aiva Anagnostiadis. Meanwhile, Raddatz gained valuable experience in the Indian F4 series last year, where she achieved multiple top-10 finishes while competing against Queensland’s Annabel Kennedy.
Both drivers participated in the Kyojo Cup auditions in December, which led to contracts for the 2026 season. Ciconte has joined the Hong Kong-based team KCMG, and she is eager to embrace the new challenge. She noted that the Kyojo Cup cars are faster and different from the F1 Academy cars, but she feels confident in her team’s support. “Driving and testing the cars might take me a while to get used to, but I am in full confidence with the team, and I’m really excited to get back on track,” she said.
For Ciconte, the Kyojo Cup is the first step in her journey toward the prestigious Super Formula series. In March, she told ABC Sport that she aims to follow in the footsteps of Formula 1 drivers like Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly, who have used Super Formula as a launchpad for their careers. Her goal for the upcoming season is to compete in the top five and secure some podium finishes. “I feel like that would be great as a team,” she added. As a driver, she wants to focus on her development, learning as quickly as possible and tracking her progress.
Raddatz, who will drive for Fujisan Shizuoka Racing this season, brings a strong background in kart racing. She transitioned to open-wheel formula racing with three rounds of the Indian F4 last year. Although she may not have as much experience in open-wheel cars as some of her competitors, she is confident in her ability to adapt. “At the end of the day, it’s an open-wheel race car so the driving technique is much the same; there are just a few minor things I’ve had to adapt to, such as a slightly heavier feel in the braking system and a different tyre,” she said, according to Motorsport Australia.
Raddatz believes that finishing in the top 10 would be a positive result and a solid foundation for her development. “A lot of the girls in the series have a lot more experience in cars that I do,” she said. “If I can finish in the top 10, that would be a very positive result.”
Kyojo Cup Race Schedule
Here is the schedule for the upcoming Kyojo Cup season:
- Round 1: May 9–10
- Round 2: July 18–19
- Round 3: September 5–6
- Round 4: October 10–11
- Round 5: October 31–November 1
With the season underway, both Ciconte and Raddatz are poised to make their mark in Japan. Their performances this year could pave the way for future opportunities in higher-level racing series, continuing the legacy of Australian talent in motorsport.
