Round 3 of VIOS Challenge will run this weekend

The third round of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia VIOS Challenge one-make race takes place this weekend (August 8 – 10) and with just one round remaining of the 2025 season after that, this round will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of all three race categories – Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie.

Round 3 of the VIOS Challenge will run concurrently with Round 3 of the Malaysian Touring Car Championship as well as Round 4 of the Thailand Super Series. Like Round 2, all three VIOS Challenge classes will run together in races on Saturday and Sunday at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit.

Close contenders for championship titles
The overall points standings remain extremely close, with no fewer than three drivers in each category firmly being in contention for the title. As with the previous round, the two races will be an hour long, instead of 20 minutes like before. Also the entire 5.543-km circuit will be used so there will be a lot of opportunities for strategies to be used.

Apart from the Vios Challenge being a one-make race (since starting in 2017), the Vios racing cars taking part are all identical in specifications so the power output is the same. It is therefore driver skill and planning as well as strategic driving that will make the difference. The similarity of power also makes for closer racing, which is what spectators like to see.

In the elite Super Sporting Class, 3 drivers have emerged strong candidates in the running for this year’s overall championship after 2 rounds. They are Team Prima Pearl SP Selatan’s Mitchell Cheah, who is also 2023 champion and vying for his second successive title currently with 83 points; Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang who is two points adrift; and Laser Motor Racing’s Ady Rahimy with 72 points.

The Sporting Class for amateurs has former Rookie driver Jwan Hii (Hong Huat X Armada KK Racing) currently leading the overall point standings with 85 points. Trailing him is Elson Lew of BAE Racing by ES Yang with 76 points, while Thai driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun of RUK Team Nexzter PMC holds third with 62 points.

The Rookie Class, made up of this year’s batch of graduates from the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program which started in 2021. Each year, a group of young and talented karters and sim racers are given professional training and racing cars as a way to bring new blood into the sport.

This year, while professional karters Aydan Khaliq and Rahul Dev currently sit at the top of the standings with 94 and 93 points, respectively, the competition is intense with a number of racers rising to the challenge. Third in the standings is recreational karter Harkiesh Geeva with 72 points, followed by sim racer Ian James on 71 points and Genevieve Ooi, the only female driver in the category at 66 points.

More than just a race
“The VIOS Challenge continues to be more than just a race — it is a dynamic platform that reflects Toyota’s passion for performance, innovation and the development of homegrown talent. As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, we are proud to see how the competition has matured with rising intensity, diversity and a growing number of drivers progressing through the ranks from rookies to professionals. This is a true testament to the impact of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia initiative, and we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of motorsports talent while delivering excitement to fans across the nation,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

The race will be streamed live online on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s social media channels

• Facebook: facebook.com/tgrmy
• Instagram: instagram.com/tgrmalaysia
• YouTube: youtube.com/@tgrmalaysia

For more information on the drivers, teams and other, visit: www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia.

GR – from racing team to performance brand