The 2025 Vios Challenge features many rookies from the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Young Talent Development Program competing in the amateur class, with one driver facing off against professionals.
Nabil Azlan, driving for Wheelcorp, leads the young drivers in his second year in the Super Sporting Class. He was the Rookie champion in 2022, then became the Sporting Class champion for amateurs in 2023, and finished 5th overall among elite drivers in 2024.
“It’s my second year in Super Sporting. You can say that last year was somewhat of an initiation into the elite class where it is super competitive. I had several strong finishes and I’m looking to capitalize on this momentum and the data we’ve gathered on the new Vios Challenge race car to push for an even stronger season this year,” said Nabil.
The Sporting Class for amateurs will feature eight out of 20 drivers who are mostly rookies. This includes siblings Elson (2023 Rookie champion) and Adele Lew from BAE Racing by ES Yang and Team Fokus, respectively; 2024 Rookie champion Adam Mikail from G-Mart Motorsport; Mika Hakimi (2021) from S&D Tama Motorsports; Raja Amirul (2024) from TD Racing; Jwan Hii (2021) from Hong Huat X Armada KK Racing; Yazid Imran (2023) from FIA Boulevard Racing; and Brandon Ho (2024) from Axle Sports.
“It feels great to be back…It’s been a while. Tom Goh from S&D Tama Motorsports gave me a last minute call up and I took the opportunity right away! I didn’t want to miss out on racing in the Vios Challenge,” said 22-year-old Mika.
“My last stint in a Toyota was competing in the 2022 and 2023 Vios Sprint Cup but that was an entirely different format. As far as the Vios Challenge is concerned, my last race was way back in 2021. I was 18 then and now 22 – that was four years ago…How time flies.”
Mika continued to race actively while away from the championship, competing in the Malaysia Championship Series and winning two gold medals in simulator racing for the Federal Territory at the SUKMA Games.
“I’m always on the simulator…I believe that keeps me 100% prepared to jump back into racing at any moment. Exciting times ahead!”
The VIOS Challenge is the most popular racing series in Malaysia, attracting over 30 million viewers since it started in 2017. The 2025 season will have 4 racing rounds.
Drivers compete in the same type of 4th generation Vios Challenge race cars, using their skills and preparation to get the best performance from their cars, which are powered by a 1.5-litre engine with a 5-speed gearbox. The races are very close, often with the top three finishers in each class racing hard to the finish line.
In 2021, UMW Toyota Motor launched the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Young Talent Development Programme, which helps train Malaysia’s future motorsport stars.
This program helps young drivers move from karting and sim racing to racing saloon cars. Among the 4 Rookie Class champions so far, 2 came from karting and 2 from sim racing, showing the program’s success across different areas.
So far, 22 drivers have graduated, with over 10 now racing locally, and 4 have won titles internationally.
In 2025, five new rookies will join the program, chosen from more than 180 applicants. They were picked based on their character, market appeal, discipline, and technical skills, and they participated in thorough training to get ready for racing.
Catch the 2025 Vios Challenge action with TGR Malaysia via:
- Facebook: facebook.com/tgrmy
- Instagram: instagram.com/tgrmalaysia
- YouTube: youtube.com/@tgrmalaysia
Race over to: www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia for full race schedules, driver details and more