The 2025 Vios Challenge introduces young Thai driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun, known as Monai, who is racing in his first saloon car series abroad.
At just 17, he is one of the youngest racers in the Sporting Class for amateurs and represents Ruk Team Nexzter PMC 52.
Monai started karting at 9 years old and made his debut in saloon car racing last year at age 16, driving a Toyota Yaris in the Thailand Super Series. He finished 2nd in his class and 4th overall. Besides competing in the Vios Challenge for the full season, he will also continue in the Thailand Super Series, moving up to a Toyota Altis in the Super Touring division in 2025.
“Malaysia has a lot of experienced drivers and my participation here is to gain experience. Racing at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit also presents me with a learning experience, especially with the track’s combination of uphill and downhill sections, fast and tight corners, and long straights which I do not experience racing at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand,” said the former Rotax Max (karting) Thailand champion.
“The Vios Challenge race car feels good (1.5-litre engine) and certainly has a lot more power than the 1.2-litre Yaris I raced in Thailand. I am adjusting to car well. My goal this season is to enhance my driving skills and hopefully do well to earn a promotion into the Super Sporting Class next year so I can compete with the professionals.”
Monai is an athlete who plays football, baseball, volleyball, and basketball, and he competes in wakeboarding. He is in his final year of high school and wants to become an engineer.
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Race over to: www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia for full race schedules, driver details and more