Dominant opening round sets the tone for a fiercely competitive season ahead
SEPANG, April 26 — The 2026 season of the Malaysia Touring Car Championship 2026 burst into life with a commanding display from homegrown talent, as Malaysian drivers stamped their authority across multiple categories at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit.
From the outset, the opening round delivered exactly what fans have come to expect from the national touring car series—tight racing, strategic execution, and no shortage of high-stakes battles. But while the margins were slim, the message was clear: the home contingent is ready to defend its turf.
Consistency Wins the Day in MTC
In the premier Malaysia Touring Car (MTC) category, it was a masterclass in composure and consistency from Sokudo X Ultra Racing Team’s Ng Wui Leng and Lim Ee Cheok. Rather than relying on outright aggression, the duo executed a measured race strategy that paid dividends, keeping their challengers at bay despite relentless pressure from a determined Singaporean field.
Their victory was not just about pace—it was about discipline, race management, and the ability to deliver when it mattered most.
R Engineering Makes an Early Statement
The T-Production category saw R Engineering emerge as an early powerhouse. Singapore’s Leon Khoo Beng Koon clinched overall honours, while Malaysia’s Chiow Teck Song Ken Urata dominated the TP2 class, giving the team a double success that immediately positions them as serious contenders for the season.
It was a performance built on balance—speed matched with precision—signalling that R Engineering could be a defining force as the championship unfolds.
MT2-G Delivers the Weekend’s Fiercest Battle
If there was one category that captured the intensity of the opening round, it was M-Touring 2 (MT2-G). Boasting the largest grid with 18 teams, the class delivered relentless wheel-to-wheel action and one of the closest finishes of the weekend.
Malaysian duo Ady Rahimy Rashid and Najiy Ayyad ultimately emerged on top, but only after a hard-fought contest against Niza Racing, a formidable Malaysia–Thailand pairing. With just a two-point margin separating them at the line, the result underscored just how competitive the field has become.
Home Advantage Holds in MT2-V
In the M-Production 2 (MT2-V) category, DV Motorsport’s Diivvyesh Perajun and Harkiesh Geeva added to Malaysia’s winning tally. Their victory, however, was anything but straightforward, as Singapore’s Axwerkz applied sustained pressure throughout the race.
The ability to withstand that challenge highlighted the duo’s resilience—and reinforced the depth of talent within the local paddock.
A Season Wide Open
While the opening round leaned heavily in favour of Malaysian drivers, the narrow gaps across categories tell a more nuanced story. International challengers remain firmly within striking distance, ensuring that no lead is ever truly secure.
With all four rounds of the 2026 season set to unfold at Sepang, familiarity with the circuit removes any advantage of the unknown. What remains is execution—strategy, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure.
What Comes Next
The 2026 MTCC calendar continues with:
- Round 2: June 26–28
- Round 3: July 24–26
- Final Round: August 21–23
If the season opener is anything to go by, fans can expect a championship defined not by dominance alone, but by the fine margins that separate victory from defeat.
One thing is certain—MTCC 2026 is just getting started, and the fight is already on.
