Since 2017, UMW Toyota Motor and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia have been actively and consistently involved in motorsports with the aim of not only developing the sport but also bringing in a new generation of racers. This objective is clearly evident with the successful Vios Challenge one-make series which has made entry more accessible and made the challenge one of skill, rather than money and power.
At the same time, a parallel initiative has also been carried out in simulator racing or eRacing, with an annual championship series that has drawn the top sim racers in the country. Sim racing has shown itself to be a good training ground for those who want to move into real-world racing. This has been proven by the impressive performance of drivers in the Rookie teams who have excelled in sim racing.
The nation’s best sim racers
Now entering its eighth year, the Toyota GR Malaysia eRacing Championship 2025 (previously known as GT Cup Malaysia) continues its mission to shine the light on the nation’s best virtual racers and provide them a pathway to real-world motorsport. In line with TGR’s philosophy of ‘pushing the limits for better’, this year’s edition expands beyond Gran Turismo to include RaceRoom, Assetto Corsa, and iRacing, providing a more complete test of racing skill and adaptability.
Toyota’s involvement injects real-world motorsports DNA into the competition, with selected performance models featured in showcase races, including a Toyota-only race category. The spirit of performance and precision is brought to life, echoing TGR’s racing philosophy and innovation focus.
RM123,000 prize pool
The championship, which offers a combined prize pool of RM123,000, is divided into 3 classes – Pro, Club and Junior. With 3 rounds already concluded, the top 40 drivers will now compete in the quarter-finals to select the top 20 fastest for the semi-final. The top 10 racers will then head to a showdown in the Grand Final later this year.
During the course of the championship, there is also the TGR Malaysia eRacing Campus Tour. This brings the thrill of simulator racing directly to universities and exposes undergraduates to the world and excitement of simulator racing. In past years, it has uncovered several sim racers with high potential who have since made admirable transitions to real-world racing in the VIOS Challenge.
Brining eRacing to universities
Over the past 4 weeks, the Campus Tour has already made its first 4 stops at Sunway, INTI International College Subang, HELP University and City University. In coming weeks, it will also be visiting campuses outside the Klang Valley (schedule shown below).
At each stop, undergraduates can race on professional-grade simulators, take part in tyre demonstrations by Toyo Tires, and win exclusive TOYOTA GAZOO Racing merchandise. The 10 fastest campus sim racers will also secure a direct seat in the championship Grand Finale.
“This initiative is more than just a competition — it’s an immersive introduction to motorsports culture designed to ignite passion and discover untapped talent. It reflects UMW Toyota’s commitment to broadening access to motorsports through digital platforms, creating new pathways for youth, and advancing our Mobility for All vision. By lowering barriers of entry and empowering talent from all walks of life, we are not only building champions but also opening the doors to a more inclusive future of racing,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
Follow all the action on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s social media platforms:
Facebook: facebook.com/tgrmy
Instagram: instagram.com/tgrmalaysia
YouTube: youtube.com/@tgrmalaysia
For more information, visit: www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia
