Season 7 of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge concludes this weekend, promising high-octane action and edge-of-your-seat excitement as the competition remains wide open across all categories. Known for its level playing field and unpredictable outcomes, the series continues its tradition of crowning deserving champions after intense, nail-biting battles.
This season’s finale at the 5.543 km Petronas Sepang International Circuit will see up to three new champions emerge in the Super Sporting Class for elite drivers, the Sporting Class for amateurs, and the Rookie Class for rising talents.
Season 7 introduced a fresh twist with the debut of the fourth-generation Vios, pushing the 34 drivers from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and India to adapt quickly to the new vehicle dynamics. This season featured three rounds and six individual races, offering a total of RM630,000 in prize money, with RM330,000 allocated to individual race winners.
The Super Sporting Class remains highly contested, with five drivers still in contention for the championship title. The leading trio includes Naquib Azlan from Axle Sport, defending champion Mitchell Cheah of Prima Pearl TD Racing, and Freddie Ang from Telagamas Toyota. Also in the mix are Amer Harris of Laser Motor Racing and former champion Hayden Haikal of TD Racing, both with slim but possible chances.
Naquib, a strong contender, shared his confidence:“Mitchell is a formidable competitor, but I believe the team and I have what it takes to bring this championship home.”
The Super Sporting Class champion stands to win RM80,000, with RM60,000 for the runner-up and RM40,000 for third place.
The Sporting Class remains just as unpredictable, with three front-runners emerging as strong contenders. Elson Lew of BAE Racing by ES Young, Kenneth Koh of PCM Group Racing Team, and Shafiq Samsudin of Race Rally KL all have solid chances of claiming the title.
For Kenneth Koh, this season presents his best opportunity to secure the overall title since joining the series in 2017. Meanwhile, Elson Lew, a former Rookie Class driver, is hungry for a win that could propel him into the elite class alongside his father, veteran racer Eddie Lew.
The stakes are high, with RM60,000, RM40,000, and RM20,000 allocated to the top three finishers.
The Rookie Class has been dominated by 18-year-old Adam Mikail, who has three wins under his belt. However, consistent performances from Brandon Ho and Raja Amirul Syauqat keep the competition alive.
Adam highlighted his preparation:“Consistency is key, and I’m focused on improving my stamina and fitness to maintain my edge.”
Brandon Ho, bolstered by his experience in the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race, is equally determined to close the 14-point gap to the championship leader.
The race weekend will also feature the launch of the facelifted GR Corolla, Corolla GR Sport, and the reintroduction of the GR Yaris, adding excitement beyond the track.
Catch the action live on UMW Toyota Motor’s social media platforms. For more information, log on to log on to www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia, youtube.com/tgrmalaysia, and instagram.com/tgrmalaysia.
