UMW Toyota Motor has officially announced the formation of TGR Racing Malaysia, a new motorsport team set to compete in the GT4 category of the Thailand Super Series beginning in the 2026 season. The move signals Toyota Malaysia’s expansion into regional GT racing and represents a significant step forward in its ongoing efforts to strengthen Malaysian motorsport development.

The creation of the new team builds upon the company’s experience gained through the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge, a one-make championship organised by UMW Toyota Motor that has been running for eight seasons since 2017. In the series, drivers race identical cars, placing emphasis on driving skill, discipline and consistent performance rather than machinery advantage. Over the years, the championship has served as a platform for nurturing local racing talent, developing technical expertise and refining race operations. This accumulated experience now provides the foundation for Toyota’s next chapter in regional competition.

According to Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, the formation of TGR Racing Malaysia represents an important milestone in the brand’s GAZOO Racing journey locally. He noted that motorsport has always been central to Toyota’s philosophy of continuous improvement. Competing at a high level, he explained, allows the company to benchmark its capabilities and raise performance standards while contributing to the broader motorsport ecosystem in Malaysia.

For its debut season, TGR Racing Malaysia will compete in the GT4 class, a globally recognised category regulated by the SRO Motorsports Group. GT4 race cars are derived from production models and built according to strict homologation rules. The class uses a system known as Balance of Performance (BoP), which ensures fair competition by adjusting vehicle parameters to equalise performance among cars from different manufacturers.

The Malaysian outfit will field two Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 race cars. Developed by TGR Racing Europe as part of Toyota’s global customer racing programme, the EVO2 version incorporates multiple upgrades aimed at enhancing performance and reliability. Improvements include stronger braking performance, revised suspension damper settings, improved cooling systems and more refined ABS calibration. These updates were introduced following feedback from teams and drivers competing in GT4 championships around the world.

TGR Racing Malaysia will enter the championship with a fully Malaysian driver lineup consisting of Shaun Thong, Weiron Tan, Nazim Azman and Putera Adam. The drivers will be supported by a technical team comprising experienced Malaysian and Japanese personnel with decades of combined motorsport expertise. The programme will focus heavily on building strong operational discipline and technical standards as the team adapts to the demands of regional GT racing.

The Thailand Super Series was selected for its well-structured racing environment and established regulatory framework. Organised by Thailand Super Series Co., Ltd. and sanctioned by the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand under FIA regulations, the championship features multiple classes including GT3, GTM, GT4 and touring car categories. It is widely regarded as one of Thailand’s premier motorsport competitions and provides a competitive platform for teams across Southeast Asia.

Each race weekend in the championship includes practice sessions, qualifying rounds and the main races conducted under official sporting regulations. This structured format allows teams to focus on strategy, reliability and operational precision throughout the season.

While the team’s inaugural campaign will primarily focus on gaining experience and refining its race operations, TGR Racing Malaysia aims to steadily develop into a strong contender in the series. The programme will also prioritise knowledge transfer, allowing Malaysian engineers and race crew to gain specialised skills by working alongside experienced Japanese motorsport professionals.

The 2026 Thailand Super Series season will begin with a pre-season test from 22–23 April at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, followed by the opening race round from 21–24 May at the same venue. The second round will take place from 1–5 July as part of the Bangsaen Grand Prix international street racing festival in Chonburi.

Rounds three and four will be held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on 21–23 August and 18–20 September respectively, before the season finale returns to the Chang International Circuit from 30 October to 1 November.

Further updates regarding the team’s progress and activities throughout the season are expected to be announced in the coming months.