Title Battles Heat Up in Round 3 of the 2025 Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia VIOS Challenge

The roar of engines will once again echo through the Petronas Sepang International Circuit as Round 3 of the 2025 Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia VIOS Challenge gets underway from 8–10 August. As the series reaches its halfway point, championship hopes remain wide open across all three fiercely competitive categories: Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie Classes.

This pivotal round, run in tandem with Round 3 of the Malaysian Touring Car Championship and Round 4 of the Thailand Super Series, promises edge-of-your-seat action with all classes competing in a one-hour semi-endurance format. Held over the full 5.543 km Sepang track, the race format replicates the excitement and drama fans witnessed in Round 2, with non-stop battles expected from start to finish.

According to Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, the VIOS Challenge is more than a race—it’s a platform for nurturing local talent and elevating motorsport in Malaysia. “As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, we are proud to see how the competition has matured with rising intensity, diversity and a growing number of drivers progressing through the ranks from rookies to professionals,” he said.

The elite class is witnessing an intense three-way showdown.

Mitchell Cheah of Team Prima Pearl SP Selatan, the 2023 champion, currently leads with 83 points.
Close behind is the ever-consistent Freddie Ang of Telagamas Toyota with 81 points, aiming for his first title after years of near-misses.
Not far off is Ady Rahimy of Laser Motor Racing, the dark horse with 72 points, known for his tactical racing and strong finishes.

Cheah, who narrowly lost the 2024 title, is determined to reclaim the top spot. Ang, meanwhile, is playing the long game, refusing to count his chickens just yet. “The fight is only at its halfway mark and in racing, anything can happen over the weekend,” he remarked. With Ady’s rising form and experienced team backing, this championship race is far from decided.

This category for amateurs is led by Jwan Hii (85 points), a graduate of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Young Talent Development Program. Hot on his heels is Elson Lew with 76 points—himself a former Rookie standout now in his second season.

The wildcard is Thailand’s 17-year-old Varunchit Wattanathanakun, sitting third with 62 points. If successful, he could make history as the first foreigner to claim the Sporting Class title.
“Malaysia has a lot of experienced drivers, and racing here helps me learn and improve. My goal is to do well enough to move into the Super Sporting Class next year,” said the former Rotax Max Thailand karting champion.

In the Rookie Class, the championship race is too close to call.

Aydan Khaliq leads with 94 points, just one point ahead of Rahul Dev (93 points).
Harkiesh Geeva (72 points), Ian James (71 points), and Genevieve Ooi (66 points) are all still very much in the running.

“This championship will likely go right down to the wire,” said 18-year-old Aydan. “Every driver has a fighting spirit, and the level of competition is incredibly high.”