In a weekend filled with unexpected twists and emerging talent, three separate classes saw distinct victors in Race 1 of Round 2 of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge, held at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit.

Laser Motor Racing’s Amer Harris capitalized on his pole position, extending his lead to a commanding 5.2 seconds by the end of the 20-lap race. Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang finished second, while Prima Pearl TD Racing’s Mitchell Cheah claimed third, edging out a close battle with teammate Hayden Haikal.

An early race incident in Lap 2 involving Saksama Motorsports’ Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel and Toyotsu Racing’s William Ho brought out the safety car, erasing Harris’s early advantage. Despite the setback, Harris reestablished his lead after the restart to secure the win. The most dramatic podium finish, however, came when Cheah overtook Haikal by just half a car length to claim third.

In the Rookie Class, Brandon Ho secured his first win of the season, finishing ahead of Amirul Afiq and Raja Amirul Syauqat. This marked a breakthrough for Raja Amirul, who earned his maiden podium finish after consistent performances. Afiq, who had finished third twice in Round 1, moved up a step to second place this time around.

The Sporting Class witnessed the emergence of a fresh face, as former Rookie Class driver Elson Lew secured his first-ever victory. Lew, a graduate of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program, drove a flawless race, finishing 3.7 seconds ahead of Amirul Haikal from Super Evergreen Motorsport. Kenneth Koh of PCM Group Racing Team rounded out the podium, marking his third consecutive podium finish in as many races.

Day 2 of racing saw literal and metaphorical storms on the track, with heavy rain delaying the start of Race 2. Once the race resumed, Lew completed a remarkable double by winning again in the Sporting Class. Driving for BAE Racing by ES Yang, Lew held off Koh and 16-year-old Thai driver Panithan Rakpaibulsombut, crossing the finish line 4.8 seconds ahead.

The race had begun with Shafiq Samsudin from Race Rally KL capitalizing on an early mistake by Choo Yong Choon of Hiewa Racing Team. However, Samsudin’s lead was short-lived, as Lew charged through the field from his sixth-place starting position to claim the lead by Lap 8. Mechanical issues later forced Samsudin to retire, allowing Koh and Rakpaibulsombut to move up.

Race 2 for the Super Sporting Class began under a reverse grid format, with the top drivers from Race 1 starting at the back. Wheelcorp’s Nabil Azlan initially took the lead, but a mistake dropped him down the order, allowing TD Racing’s Hayden Haikal to seize control. A fierce battle for second unfolded between Mitchell Cheah and Freddie Ang, with Ang ultimately overtaking Cheah to finish second, leaving Cheah in third place.

In the Rookie Class, a reverse grid saw Race 1 winner Brandon Ho starting at the back. However, Adam Mikail, who had won twice in Round 1, surged from pole to secure his third win of the season. Raja Amirul Syauqat took second, while Ho climbed back to third.

Now in its seventh year, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge continues to highlight the talent of young drivers, with its strict one-make format testing drivers’ skills over pure power. The identically-prepared Toyota Vios cars, each powered by a 1.5-liter engine with a five-speed manual transmission, ensure that success is determined by racecraft alone.

A total of 33 drivers from Thailand, Singapore, and India joined the grid for Round 2, further elevating the competition in this exciting one-make series.

For more information, log on to www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia.