High-stakes battle at third round of Vios Challenge (Toyota Vios Gold Championship)

The battle for the crown of the 2026 Toyota Vios Gold Championship – previously called the Vios Challenge one-make race – moves into high gear at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where double championship points will be awarded across two gruelling 1-hour races this weekend.

The third and penultimate round of the season poses a significant test for contenders aiming to stretch their championship lead or stay in contention for top honours. Unlike the layout utilized during the opening 2 rounds, drivers will navigate the full 5.543-km circuit.

Longer races
The race, which will be held alongside Round 3 of the Malaysian Touring Car Championship, introduces a format where endurance and strategic planning will be paramount. Competitors will face a full hour of racing on Saturday and another on Sunday, placing a high premium on tyre preservation, physical conditioning, vehicle setup, and unpredictable weather conditions.

The top contenders
The current standings across both the Super Sporting Class for professional drivers and the Sporting Class for amateur racers are led by former graduates of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia Young Talent Development Program.

In the Super Sporting Class, 2022 Rookie champion and 2023 Sporting Class winner Nabil Azlan tops the table with 58 points. Driving for Laser Motor Racing, Nabil has maintained solid form with three second-place finishes and one third-place finish. Close behind in second place is his teammate Ady Rahimy, trailing by nine points.

Ady, who finished third overall last year, strategically managed his Round 2 output to secure points while avoiding heavy ballast weight penalties that could hinder performance during this crucial double-points weekend. Defending champion Freddie Ang of Telagamas Toyota remains in third with 32 points, leveraging years of consistent finishes to stay in the title fight.

The Sporting Class features an equally tight race. BAE Racing by ES Yang’s Justin Toh holds the lead with 49 points. He is closely followed by former TGR Rookies Elson Lew of Hong Huat X Armada KK Racing on 46 points, and G-Mart Best Autosport’s Adam Mikail on 44 points.

In the Rookie Class, 17-year-old simulator and saloon car racer Imran Iskandar leads the standings with 63 points, holding a narrow two-point edge over simulator racer and karter Ervin Lim. Imran enters the round with one win, two second-place finishes, and one third-place finish. Ervin matches that record closely with a win, a second, and a third, while 20-year-old simulator racer Ngo Yong Jian holds third place.

Now in its ninth season, the event is the longest-running one-make production saloon car racing series organized by a vehicle manufacturer in Malaysia. The 2026 season offers a total prize purse of RM876,000 across 4 rounds.

Watch online
Get updates on the Vios Challenge of the Toyota Vios Gold Championship at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia. As usual, the races will be streamed live online on Saturday and Sunday.

GR – from racing team to performance brand