Malaysia’s elite simulator racers are gearing up for an intense showdown on 27-28 July, as they compete for the 2024 Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup Season 7 championship. Hosted at Sunway University Campus, this grand event, organized by UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, promises high stakes and thrilling action.
The two-day event is open to the public, kicking off with the Semi-Final on 27 July. Here, the fastest drivers will be selected to advance to the Grand Final on 28 July, all vying for a share of the RM120,500 prize pool.
A highlight of this year’s event is a special race featuring the top 10 students from the GR Tour, representing Sunway University, USM Nibong Tebal, MMU, UKM, and UITM Pasir Gudang. These student racers will compete for their share of the prize pool and the honor of representing their universities.
In addition to the main competition, the weekend will feature several exhibition races, including events for the TGR Rookies, who are young drivers competing in the GR Vios Challenge, and members of the media. The public can also join in the fun by participating in sim racing challenges, browsing special Tomica die-cast model cars, and purchasing exclusive Gazoo Racing apparel. Toyota vehicles will be showcased, adding to the excitement.
Returning to defend his title is Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira, a three-time Toyota GR GT Cup Champion. He will face stiff competition from last year’s runners-up, Dhanesh Wigneswaran and Chong Kai Chang, as well as 2022 champion Muhammad Iqbal.
During the semi-final, 20 contenders will race the GR Corolla Morizo Edition and the GR Supra RZ on the 5km Alsace track in France and the 4.25km Deep Forest Raceway in Switzerland, respectively. The top 10 finalists will then move on to the Grand Final, where they will compete in three races using the GRO10 Hybrid prototype car and the GR Supra Racing Concept at Monza in Italy, and the legendary 13.6km Circuit De La Sarthe in Le Mans, France. The driver with the highest accumulated points will be crowned the champion.
The top three drivers will not only receive significant prize money but will also represent Malaysia in the GR GT Cup Asia, with a chance to compete in the World Finals. The qualifiers for the GR GT Cup began in June, attracting nearly 1,000 participants.
“Simulator racing continues to grow exponentially globally and is today considered an important step for any individual intending to make that transition to real-life racing or to enhance their skills. It has also become an important prerequisite in the selection and training of candidates who join our Gazoo Racing Young Driver Development Program for a chance to compete as a Rookie in the GR Vios Challenge,” said UMW Toyota Motor President Datuk Ravindran K.
“Toyota is proud to be at the forefront of this exciting development in motorsports, and we have witnessed firsthand the benefits of simulator racing.”
The GR GT Cup Grand Final is open to the public and will run from 10 am to 6 pm at Sunway University Campus. Admission is free. For more information, visit UMW Toyota Motor’s official website at www.toyota.com.my/gtcupmalaysia, facebook.com/tgrmy, youtube.com/tgrmalaysia, and instagram.com/tgrmalaysia.
