Shah Alam – UMW Toyota Motor is turning up the heat in 2025 as it unveils an exciting new chapter for Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia. With a refreshed VIOS Challenge lineup, the launch of the Toyota GR Malaysia eRacing Championship, and new talent development initiatives, the 2025 season promises more action, innovation, and community impact than ever before.
“Motorsports is in our DNA. Over the past nine years, we’ve seen the power of racing bring people together, develop talent, and inspire passion,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “We’re not just continuing that journey — we’re taking it to the next level.”
Competing in identically-prepared 4th generation Vios Challenge race cars, 36 competitors registered for the championship will have to rely on pure talent, individual driving skills, race craft and technical preparation to extract the very best from their machines powered by a1.5-litre engine with a 5-speed transmission. Competition is almost assured of being door-to-door with the top three winners in each class often coming down to a final charge to the chequered flag.
This season’s Super Sporting Class will see a line-up of big guns, including the return of former class champion Boy Wong who will be racing for newly entered Modern Racing Team; another former champion Mitchell Cheah who will spearhead Prima Pearl TD Racing’s charge; and seasoned campaigners Freddie Ang (Telagamas Toyota); Eddie Lew (Laser Motor Racing) and William Ho (Toyotsu Racing).
Several newcomers will also join the professional class led by last year’s Sporting Class champion Kenneth Koh of PCM Group Racing Team who earned a promotion into the big leagues. Another new entry is Timothy Yeo who will pilot the number 23 RH Kalulong Motorsports Vios.
The Sporting Class meanwhile, will field a total of 20 drivers 12 of whom are new to the championship. They include four female drivers made up of former Rookie Class driver Adele Lew representing Team Fokus and gymkhana champion Ng Aik Sha driving for GTA Race Team who is also making her saloon car racing debut. Lew meanwhile, will be competing alongside brother Elson, also a former Rookie and in the same class but representing BAE Racing by ES Yang, while father Eddie is in the Super Sporting Class.
The Sporting Class will also see the return of Singaporean racer Daniel Inosuke Ooi with BAE Racing by ES Yang and newcomer as well as Thailand Super Series driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun with RUK Team Nexzter PMC 52. Other former Rookies returning to the championship will include Nabil Azlan driving for Wheelcop in the Super Sporting Class; last year’s Rookie Class champion Adam Mikhail who will be driving for G-Mart Motorsport; Mika Hakimi who will be driving for S&D Tama Motorsports; Raja Amirul representing TD Racing; Jwan Hii who will drive for Hong Huat X Armada KK Racing; Yazid Imran who will lead the charge for FIA Boulevard Racing; and Brandon Ho for Axle Sports.
Since its inception in 2021, the Toyota GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Programme has become a key platform for grooming Malaysia’s future motorsports stars. To date, 22 drivers have graduated, with over 10 currently competing in local races, and 4 already earning victories and championships on the international stage. The program offers a critical bridge for young drivers transitioning from karting and simulator racing into saloon car racing.
In 2025, the program attracted more than 180 applicants. Candidates were shortlisted based on personality, marketability, discipline, and technical ability, and underwent rigorous training to prepare for competitive racing. Of the 4 Rookie Class champions crowned so far, 2 have emerged from karting and 2 from sim racing backgrounds — a testament to the strength of the program across disciplines.
The 2025 Rookie Class features:
Aydan Khaliq (18) – Professional karter
Harkiesh Geeva (19) – Recreational karter and sim racer
Justin Rahul Dev (21) – Simulator racer
Ian James (23) – Simulator racer
Genevieve Ooi (20) – Amateur racer
Round Date Venue: Round 1 (25–27 April Sepang Circuit), Round 2 (27–28 June Sepang Circuit), Round 3 (8–10 August Sepang Circuit) and Round 4 (October ‘25 TBC).
