UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced the creation of TGR Racing Malaysia, a new racing team that will take part in the GT4 class of the 2026 Thailand Super Series, a highly competitive GT racing championship in Southeast Asia. This decision shows Toyota Malaysia’s commitment to growing in regional GT racing and supporting the progress of Malaysian motorsport.
The team aims for long-term success, using knowledge gained from 8 seasons of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge since 2017, which is a one-make racing series run by UMWT. In this series, drivers race in the same type of cars, so success depends on their skill and consistency. This setup has helped UMWT to nurture local drivers, improve technical skills, and gain experience in race operations. The lessons learned during these seasons will help TGR Racing Malaysia as it moves into more regional GT racing activities.
Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, said the establishment of TGR Racing Malaysia represents the next evolution of Toyota’s GAZOO Racing journey in Malaysia. “For Toyota, racing is part of our DNA and how we improve. When we compete, the objective is to perform at the highest level and to win, because real racing is where true standards are set. Over the years, TGR Racing has grown into a platform that supports the motorsport industry, brings together the racing community and develops local talent. This next evolution sees us stepping into regional GT competition and continuing to raise the bar for Malaysian motorsport,” Datuk Ravindran K. said.
Entry into GT4 puts the team in a highly regulated regional championship. Here, skilled drivers and teams can check their performance, improve their skills, and compete against others in the region. GT4 is a category set up by the SRO Motorsports Group with race cars based on production models and following specific rules. These rules use Balance of Performance (BoP) to make sure cars from different manufacturers are competitive.
The Thailand Super Series GT4 season will feature an all-Malaysian driver line-up, including Shaun Thong, Weiron Tan, Nazim Azman, and Putera Adam, supported by a knowledgeable Malaysian and Japanese team with years of racing experience. The focus will be on creating strong technical skills and race operation standards to compete successfully.
TGR Racing Malaysia will use two GR Supra GT4 EVO2 race cars prepared according to Thailand Super Series GT4 rules. The GR Supra GT4 EVO2 comes from TGR Racing Europe and is part of Toyota’s global racing program. This version includes various improvements for better performance, reliability, and handling, based on feedback from drivers in GT4 competitions around the world.
The Thailand Super Series GT4 class was chosen for its clear rules and organized race format. The series is run by Thailand Super Series Co., Ltd. and recognized by the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand following FIA rules. It features several classes, including GT3, GTM, GT4, and touring cars, making it a leading motorsport championship in Thailand.
The championship offers a steady competitive environment that focuses on race management, reliability, and smooth operations throughout the season. Each race weekend includes practice sessions, qualifying, and races that follow the championship’s rules.
The first season for the racing team will emphasize learning and preparation, while aiming for steady progress to become a top contender. This includes sharing skills and experience with Malaysian technical and race support staff working with their Japanese counterparts.
The Thailand Super Series will have a pre-season test on April 22-23 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, leading up to the first race from May 21-24 at the same location. Round 2 is set for July 1-5 during the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Bangsaen Grand Prix in Chonburi. Rounds 3 and 4 will take place at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit on August 21-23 and September 18-20, respectively, with the final round returning to the Chang International Circuit from October 30 to November 1.
Further details on the team’s activities and progress will be announced in due course.