Four years away from racing, Raddatz is taking every chance in Japan

Racing formula cars has been the dream of 22-year-old Sydneysider Paige Raddatz since she was a small girl.

Raised in a family of racers, Raddatz is currently living out her dream in Japan as one of two Australians competing in this year's Kyojo Cup.

But the road to racing at the famed Fuji Speedway against quality drivers had speed bumps along the way.

Raddatz spent her childhood competing in karts, starting just after her seventh birthday.

"I have an older brother and he was already racing karts, dad always raced cars growing up," Raddatz told ABC Sport.

"As a family we were always around it, and watching my brother, I always wanted to do it. As soon as it was my seventh birthday, that's when you're allowed to start, that was my birthday present.

"I just never really stopped since that."

Racing in karts across Sydney and around the country was Raddatz's childhood, progressing through the ranks until a fork in the road.

Like many teenagers, the increasing demands of school and work made racing more difficult.

Not seeing a viable future as a racer, Raddatz stopped karting and was away from the racetrack for four years.

"Because of the commitment that racing is, you can't really do both, especially if you are working outside of the sport. It just became very hard," she said.

"Karting kind of just got pushed to the side. I always wanted to be around it, but sometimes you don't get an option with things like that.

"Those four years I had off, honestly, were the worst four years of my life."

But time away from the track only strengthened Raddatz's desire to be back on it.

And it was an inspiration from a newly formed F1 Academy female racing series that spurred Raddatz back behind the wheel.

"I think that's where the whole car idea came from. Looking at that made it more possible," she said.

"Seeing the promotion for women has grown so much; you can see there is actually an opportunity and there is a pathway, where before, as a young girl I never really thought that I'd be able to do something like I am now.

"But seeing other women and other girls do it, it is very motivating, and you think 'if they can do it, why can't I?'"

Raddatz got an opportunity to race formula cars in the Indian F4 last year, competing against fellow Australian Annabel Kennedy.

While still in India, Raddatz got the call to try out for Japan's Kyojo Cup, an all-female series now in its 10th year.

Following a successful test in late December, Raddatz was signed by the Fujisan Shizuoka Racing team, competing this year against former F1 Academy driver Joanne Ciconte.

Racing in Japan is an opportunity that seemed inconceivable when Raddatz returned to racing at the start of 2025.

But her time away from racing has made the Sydneysider appreciative of the chances she has to be a full-time driver.

"I don't take any of my racing for granted and I always remind myself to be grateful," she said.

"For me, this is everything I've wanted for those past four years.

"It's my motivation, especially on the days when I am like 'I can't do this'. I [say] 'No, this is what you wanted'.

"I don't take any of my racing for granted and I always remind myself to be grateful."

The second of five racing weekends will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Fuji Speedway — the host track of all Kyojo Cup races this season.

Raddatz battled in the midfield during the first weekend of racing, and by her own admission, was left frustrated by not being able to climb as high up the grid as she wanted to.

But after returning to Sydney, Raddatz said she was able to take plenty of positives from her two races.

She is now looking ahead to the rest of the season, building on her experience in the opening round.

"Being able to drive a formula car, I'm telling you, that is all I ever dreamed about as a young girl.

"I definitely see myself having a future and it being professional, but I know it's not going to come easy. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, but it's definitely possible now."

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