The inaugural Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival is building up to a climactic finale as the championship crown in each of the Vios Challenge categories remain up for grabs until the chequered flag is waved for the final time this season at the Technology Park Malaysia (TPM) in Kuala Lumpur.
The decider that will be held on March 24th and 25th will see all three class races of the Vios Challenge go down to the wire as the search continues for the very first champions of the series. You can read our previous coverage of the TGR Johor Bahru Round here.
“The essence of one-make racing has been reflected in the results we see today in the Vios Challenge. Newcomers, privateers and seasoned professionals have all had their share of the spoils in the winner’s circle, providing motor racing fans with some of the best high-quality racing we’ve seen in the country,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor Mr Ravindran K.
The battles in the Sporting and Super Sporting classes will be the most keenly watched with numerous drivers in contention for bragging rights as well as a shot at the brand new Toyota Vios that is being offered as the champion’s prize for each category.
Nineteen-year-old sensation Brendan Anthony who did not join the first race in Batu Kawan, Penang has consistently chalked up points in his subsequent races and is now just four points behind the sporting class championship leader and namesake Brendon Lim.
Rally sensation Kenneth Koh managed to stay out of trouble in the third Vios Challenge event held in Medini City, Johor in January has scored two useful podium finishes. He is a mere 12 points off the leader’s tally of 75 points. With 20 points awarded for a win, Koh has every chance of snatching the trophy from the Anthony and Lim.
In the Super Sporting Class, Tengku Djan survived various incidents in both his races at Medini City, Johor to hold a slender four-point lead in the championship over nemesis William Ho.
William also enjoyed a good run in Johor as he came away with one win and a third place, moving him up to second with 72 points. Third in the class is M7 Racing Team’s Syafiq Ali who put in some brilliant performances in Johor and sits 16 points behind Djan.
In the Promotional Class, Shawn Lee chalked up wins in almost every race except for one in MAEPS. While he enjoys a commanding lead in the series, he could still be overhauled by the on-form Shukri Yahaya who trails by 18 points. A non-finish in any of the final races by the beat-boxer would easily level any advantage he currently enjoys.
Despite facing less pressure to prove their worth as racing drivers, celebrities including Danny Koo, Diana Danielle, Fattah Amin, Geraldine Gan, Janna Nick, Shukri Yahaya and Venice Min have all shown renewed determination in Johor. Their on-track challenges have shown no lack of quality and can be expected to spoil the party for Shawn.
Entrance to the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival’s Season 1 Finale remains free and there will be lots of activities, food, games and prizes throughout the weekend. To keep up to date on the developments of the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival and the Vios Challenge, members of the public should follow Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia and UMW Toyota Motor on their homepage, FB and instagram. Check out the Drift Show at the JB round in January!
