Season 7 of Toyota GAZOO Racing’s Vios Challenge has officially crowned three new champions after an exciting race weekend, with more than RM300,000 in prizes awarded.
The finale at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit on January 4-5, 2025, was thrilling, with racers in the Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie Classes competing fiercely to secure their championships.
In the Super Sporting Class for professionals, young driver Naquib Azlan from Axle Sports won the championship after a tough battle. He dethroned the defending champion Mitchell Cheah from Prima Pearl TD Racing, who finished 2nd, while Freddie Ang from Telagamas Toyota came 3rd. Naquib earned RM80,000, Cheah got RM60,000, and Ang received RM40,000. This was Naquib’s third consecutive overall championship win, having previously won in the Rookie Class and Sporting Class in 2021 and 2022.
Race 2 was dramatic, with Naquib and Cheah fighting hard over 20 laps. Naquib retired from the race, while Cheah received a 10-position penalty for a rule violation. The race was won by Amer Harris from Laser Motor Racing, followed by William Ho from Toyotsu Toyota in 2nd and Bradley Benedict from PS Otomobile in 3rd.
Amer shared, “I started the championship as a replacement driver with little experience in the new car, but adapting was key for our season.”
In Race 2 of the Sporting Class, Kenneth Koh from PCM Group Racing led the race early on. Dato Ken Foo from Kulim Topwheels tried to catch up but finished 2nd, with Thailand’s Panithan Rakpaibulsombut from RUK Team Nexzter PMC 52 taking 3rd. Koh’s victory secured him the overall championship title and a promotion to the Super Sporting Class for Season 8, along with RM60,000. Shafiq Samsudin came 2nd overall with RM40,000, and Elson Lew finished 3rd with RM20,000.
Koh expressed, “This is my seventh season in the Vios Challenge. The car setup was excellent this weekend.”
In the Rookie Class, 18-year-old Adam Mikail was crowned champion, followed by Brandon Ho in 2nd and Raja Amirul Syauqat in 3rd. Adam commented on achieving his goal of winning despite intense competition.
Toyota’s Young Talent Development Program significantly helped Adam grow as a driver, providing valuable racing opportunities.
Organized by UMW Toyota Motor, the Vios Challenge is Malaysia’s leading one-make saloon car race series, focusing on driving skills. This season welcomed international drivers from Thailand, India, and Singapore. Since 2017, UMW Toyota Motor has invested in Malaysian motorsports and created the GR GT Cup simulator racing series and the Young Talent Development Program. Season 7, which started in August last year, included three rounds and six races, offering a total prize fund of RM630,000. The event was broadcast live on social media and attracted over 5 million viewers during the finale.
For more information and to stay tuned to announcements on Season 8, log on to www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia.
RACE RESULTS – DAY 2
SUPER SPORTING CLASS
1. Amer Harris Laser Motor Racing
2. William Ho Toyotsu Racing
3. Bradley Benedict PS Otomobile
SPORTING CLASS
1. Kenneth Koh PCM Group Racing Team
2. Dato Ken Foo Kulim Topwheels
3. Panithan Rakpaibulsombut RUK Team Nexzter PMC 52
ROOKIE CLASS
1. Brandon Ho
2. Adam Mikail
3. Kingston Tan
OVERALL CHAMPIONS – SEASON 7
Super Sporting Class Naquib Azlan Axle Sports
Sporting Class Kenneth Koh PCM Group Racing Team
Rookie Class Adam Mikail