Kakunoshin Ohta Bio
Kakunoshin “Kaku” Ohta (太田格之進, Ōta Kakunoshin) is a Japanese racing driver who competes in multiple top-level series for Honda Motor Company. He currently races in the Super GT championship for Astemo Real Racing, in the Super Formula Championship for docomo Team Dandelion Racing, and in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Acura Meyer Shank Racing. Born on 16 June 1999, Ohta has built a reputation as a versatile talent across single-seaters, GT racing, and endurance events. His rapid rise through Japanese motorsport has positioned him as one of Honda’s most promising factory-backed drivers.
Early Life and Background
Kakunoshin Ohta was born on 16 June 1999 in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Growing up in Japan, he developed an early interest in motorsport and progressed through the junior karting ranks before transitioning to single-seater competition. His given family roots in Kyoto placed him in proximity to several of Japan’s major racing circuits and manufacturer development programs, which helped shape his early career path. From a young age, Ohta demonstrated the kind of focus and discipline required to climb through Japan’s highly competitive driver development pyramid.
Ohta’s formal introduction to formula racing came through Honda’s young driver initiatives, which scout and nurture talent across the country. This backing proved essential as he moved up the ladder, providing both financial support and engineering resources. His progress through regional and national junior series established him as a driver to watch within the Honda family. The combination of natural pace and structured development set the stage for his entry into higher-profile championships.
Path to NASCAR
Kakunoshin Ohta’s career has been built entirely within the Japanese motorsport landscape and select international endurance events, rather than through the NASCAR ladder system in the United States. He debuted in single-seater racing in 2018 with a one-off appearance in the F4 Japanese Championship, then committed to a full season in 2019 under the Honda Formula Dream Project. He later advanced through Super Formula Lights and into the Super Formula Championship, while simultaneously developing his sports car career in Super GT. His pathway represents the typical Japanese progression of karting, formula cars, and then top-tier domestic series, supplemented by endurance racing opportunities.
Kakunoshin Ohta Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Ohta made his single-seater debut in 2018 with a guest outing in the F4 Japanese Championship under the MYST banner. The following year, he contested the full 2019 F4 Japanese Championship season with backing from the Honda Formula Dream Project, securing two wins and finishing sixth in the standings. During that same period, he made a guest appearance in the French F4 Championship alongside Honda stablemate Ren Satō, recording a podium and several top-ten finishes, and also won the prestigious “All-Japan Deciding Race” at the end of the year.
After briefly losing manufacturer support in 2020, Ohta regained Honda backing through the Formula Dream Project in 2021 and finished fifth in the F4 Japanese Championship standings. That result convinced Honda and its partner teams that he was ready to step up to the next level, and he was placed with Toda Racing for the 2022 Super Formula Lights season. The promotion paid immediate dividends and marked the end of his formative years in entry-level formula racing.
Super Formula Lights Breakthrough (2022)
Ohta’s 2022 campaign in Super Formula Lights with Toda Racing marked a clear step forward in his career trajectory. He claimed four wins and twelve podium finishes across the season, finishing second in the championship behind only the returning Kazuto Kotaka. The consistency and raw speed he displayed against an experienced field drew attention from Japan’s top single-seater teams and confirmed his readiness for the Super Formula Championship. The result remains one of the strongest single-season performances by a young Honda-affiliated driver in recent memory.
Super GT Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Ohta began his Super GT career in 2022 in the GT300 class with Team UpGarage, paired with veteran driver Takashi Kobayashi. He claimed a podium on debut at Okayama and added a second podium later in the year to end the season eighth in the standings. For 2023, he was promoted to the premier GT500 class with Modulo Nakajima Racing alongside series veteran Takuya Izawa, showing immediate promise against the championship’s elite drivers.
Super Formula Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Following his Super Formula Lights success, Ohta was promoted to the top-tier Super Formula Championship for 2023 with docomo Dandelion Racing, partnering Tadasuke Makino. He struggled in the first half of his rookie season but rebounded strongly after the summer break, qualifying in the top four for the final four rounds and claiming his first podium at Suzuka. In the season finale, he fended off Liam Lawson and eventual champion Ritomo Miyata to take his maiden Super Formula victory.
Ohta remained with Dandelion Racing in 2024 and opened the year with a fourth-place finish at Suzuka. A mixed middle portion of the season included a non-score at Sportsland SUGO, where he went off at the final corner in wet conditions, and a heartbreaking near-miss at Motegi when a throttle issue caused him to spin from the lead on the penultimate lap. He responded brilliantly at the final Suzuka round, taking pole and winning race one dominantly, then leading from turn one to the flag in race two to clinch back-to-back victories and finish fourth in the championship.
Real Racing Era (2024-Present)
After one season with Modulo Nakajima Racing in GT500, Ohta was confirmed as a driver for Astemo Real Racing starting in 2024, replacing Nobuharu Matsushita and partnering Koudai Tsukakoshi. The move paired Ohta with one of Super GT’s most experienced campaigners, giving him a stable platform to challenge for race wins. His selection reflected Honda’s continued confidence in his potential as a long-term factory driver. He carries car number 17 in the Real Racing entry.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ohta has shown particular strength in race-trim pace, tire management, and wet-weather performance throughout his career. His ability to extract maximum performance from a car in changing conditions was evident in his Suzuka recovery drives and his strong qualifying record in Super Formula. Working alongside experienced teammates and engineers has allowed him to refine his race craft and strategic awareness at the highest level. His calm demeanor under pressure has become one of his defining characteristics.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among Ohta’s most significant results are his two consecutive Super Formula victories at the 2024 Suzuka finale, his maiden Super Formula win in the 2023 season finale at Suzuka, and his GT300 podium on debut at Okayama. His selection to drive the Acura ARX-06 at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona alongside Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly, and Alex Palou marks his arrival on the international endurance stage.
Kakunoshin Ohta Career Wins
Kakunoshin Ohta has accumulated victories across multiple Japanese motorsport categories, including the F4 Japanese Championship, Super Formula Lights, and the Super Formula Championship. He also claimed the 2022 Super Taikyū ST-Z title. His win tally reflects consistent performance against strong fields and a smooth climb through Honda’s driver development structure.
Super Formula Highlights
Ohta has scored at least two verified Super Formula race victories, with his first coming in the 2023 season finale at Suzuka. He added back-to-back wins at the final round of the 2024 season at Suzuka, leading from pole in race one and from the front row in race two to secure consecutive triumphs. These results established him as a proven race winner in Japan’s premier single-seater category.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Super Formula, Ohta has recorded multiple wins in the F4 Japanese Championship and Super Formula Lights. He was crowned the 2022 Super Taikyū ST-Z champion, a result that further underlined his versatility across different racing formats. He also won the “All-Japan Deciding Race” in F4 in 2019.
Kakunoshin Ohta Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Kakunoshin Ohta’s immediate family and racing lineage is limited. He is known to come from Kyoto, Japan, and to have been supported throughout his junior career by Honda’s Formula Dream Project. There is no widely available public information about parents, siblings, or extended family members involved in motorsport.
Personal Life
Ohta maintains a relatively private personal life, with limited public information about relationships or family outside of racing. He is fully focused on his professional career as a Honda factory driver across Super GT, Super Formula, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Kakunoshin Ohta continues with docomo Team Dandelion Racing in the Super Formula Championship after his breakout 2024 campaign. He is expected to be a championship contender following his two-win finish to last season and his improved qualifying consistency. The goal will be to convert his race-winning potential into a sustained title challenge against established rivals such as Ritomo Miyata and Sho Tsuboi.
In Super GT, Ohta’s second full season with Astemo Real Racing alongside Koudai Tsukakoshi provides a strong platform to fight for GT500 podiums and race victories. The combination of youthful speed and veteran experience is expected to be a key asset across the championship’s diverse circuit lineup. Early-season form will be critical to establishing momentum heading into the mid-summer rounds.
On the international stage, Ohta is set to make his endurance racing debut with Acura Meyer Shank Racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, sharing the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 with Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Six Hours of The Glen, and the Battle of the Bricks at Indianapolis. The program represents a major step in his global profile and reflects Honda and Acura’s confidence in his long-term development as a top-tier driver.