Malaysia’s motorsport development landscape reached a new milestone as Kegani Racing Academy (KRA) officially unveiled the 2026 SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series, marking the first-ever driver draft system introduced in the country. Designed to professionalise and sustain grassroots racing, the new series represents a significant step up from the popular SKILLDRVN One Make Race (OMR) Series.

The national-status championship will be contested over five rounds at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit and is initially limited to 10 privately owned teams and corporate-backed entries. Even before the inaugural season begins, momentum is strong, with four teams—Bendix Ultimate Racing Team, Profimax Racing Team, Team Ultra Racing, and ELF Evolution Team—already securing their drivers through a ballot-based draft process.

According to KRA Principal and Chief Coach Kenny Lee, the Professional Series was created to offer brands and companies a more accessible and sustainable way to participate in motorsports, while also giving talented drivers a genuine professional pathway. With equal machinery, tightly controlled budgets, and a structured draft system, success in the series will depend on skill and consistency rather than financial muscle. At the same time, drivers competing in the OMR Series now have a clear and tangible target to work towards—earning a fully sponsored professional seat.

All teams will race production-based 1.6-litre Suzuki Swift race cars, similar to those used in the OMR Series but enhanced with series-specific engine mapping. From 2027 onwards, teams will also have the option of fielding two cars, further expanding opportunities within the championship.

Entry into the SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series is strictly merit-based. Drivers must first prove themselves in the OMR Series by accumulating a minimum of 700 career championship points, ensuring that every race and every point counts. The only exception applies to drivers who achieve a perfect 500-point season while also winning the Rookie of the Year title. Once drafted, Professional Series drivers will enjoy full sponsorship support from their respective teams, removing the financial burden of car ownership or “arrive-and-drive” race rentals.

Aspiring racers begin their journey through Kegani Racing Academy, which positions itself at the forefront of motorsports education in Malaysia. The Academy combines structured theory with intensive on-track coaching and mentoring, focusing on driving fundamentals, racecraft, and sportsmanship to accelerate learning while maintaining high competitive standards.

Industry partners have also voiced strong support for the initiative. Bendix highlighted the series as a relevant proving ground for braking performance and durability under real racing conditions, while Profimax praised the championship’s emphasis on consistency, protection, and controlled costs as a true reflection of both motorsport and product philosophy. Team Ultra Racing echoed similar sentiments, noting the transparency of the SKILLDRVN system in identifying genuine talent through measurable driver progression and structured development.

The launch event also celebrated achievements in the feeder series, with KRA crowning Loke Yin Yee as the first-ever double overall champion of the SKILLDRVN One Make Race Series, having secured titles in both 2024 and 2025. Andy Boey finished runner-up for 2025, followed by Vox Lim in third, underscoring the depth of competition within the OMR platform.

With a clearly defined ladder from grassroots racing to professional competition, the SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series signals a new era for Malaysian motorsports—one built on fairness, development, and long-term sustainability. For teams, brands, and drivers alike, it represents a compelling opportunity to grow together within a professionally structured racing ecosystem.