Malaysia’s Grand Finale of the GR GT Cup witnessed an electrifying showcase of top-tier simulator racing talent, leaving the audience in awe at the Sunway Pyramid mall in Petaling Jaya. From seasoned experts to newcomers, this event, which garnered over two million online viewers over three days, unequivocally demonstrated Malaysia’s prowess in producing world-class gamers specializing in simulator racing.
The rapid growth of this sport was evident in the exceptional skills displayed by Malaysian simulator racers. “The extraordinary caliber of simulator racing talent we have in Malaysia reflects the sport’s remarkable expansion,” stated Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “UMW Toyota Motor takes immense pride in being part of this phenomenal sport that is now a crucial precursor to nurturing the next generation of competitive real-world racers.”
In the main event, Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira secured his third overall title, cementing his status as the most decorated GR GT Cup Malaysia racer since its inception in 2018. “The competition has intensified significantly, with an influx of new talents,” shared Taj Izrin Aiman, who clinched victory in two races and secured second place in the third and final race to claim the 2023 overall title. His outstanding performance earned him a grand prize of RM25,000, the largest amount ever awarded in the event’s six-year history. A total prize pool of RM90,500 was up for grabs throughout the weekend.
Having triumphed in the GR GT Asia Pacific Qualifier last year and achieving 12th position in the GR GT World Cup representing Team Malaysia, Taj Izrin Aiman holds high hopes for Team Malaysia’s performance this year. His teammates Dhanesh Wigneswaran and Chong Kai Chang secured second and third places overall, respectively.
Wigneswaran, whose second-place finish marked his best performance in the event, shared his determination to enhance his mental game and transition to real-world racing. A marketing graduate, Wigneswaran’s aspiration aligns with those of his fellow competitors.
For Chong, the 2023 grand final marked a significant achievement as his best result to date. His journey began in 2019, and he described his motivation as the desire to challenge the finest racers in Malaysia. The 29-year-old financial analyst has consistently improved his standing over time.
The top 10 finalists emerged from a pool of over 800 contenders. The intense three-day finale commenced with a quarter-final shoot-out to identify the top 20 semi-finalists, leading to the selection of the finest 10 racers.
The event-packed weekend featured exhibition races involving racers and nine celebrities from the GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge series. Additionally, the top 10 speedsters selected from the GR GT Cup Malaysia Campus Tour, which introduced simulator racing to Malaysian universities for the first time this year, participated in thrilling races. The event also included a special media race and a simulator time attack challenge for the public. Attendees had the opportunity to experience Gran Turismo 7 in virtual reality, courtesy of a collaboration with Gamers Hideout. UMW Toyota Motor organized test drive sessions for their latest vehicle models, enhancing the overall event experience.
For more information, log on to UMW Toyota Motor (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd website at www.toyota.com.my/gtcupmalaysia, facebook.com/tgrmy, youtube.com/tgrmalaysia, and instagram.com/tgrmalaysia.
