UMW Toyota & GAZOO Racing Malaysia to Sponsor 2025 Super GT Malaysia
MALAYSIA'S premier saloon car race series, the VIOS Challenge, is set to make its international debut during the highly anticipated return of the AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series to Malaysia. This marks the first Malaysian round of SUPER GT in 12 years, with UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia (TGR) proudly stepping in as Title Sponsor.
The race will be held at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit from 26–28 June 2025 and is expected to attract over 40,000 spectators and a global audience of 162 million broadcast and online viewers.
VIOS Challenge Takes Centre Stage
As one of two feature races supporting SUPER GT's return, the VIOS Challenge will hold a special 1-hour race format, replacing its usual 30-minute sprint. This new endurance format will cover the full 5.543km Sepang circuit, open to all three competition classes:
– Super Sporting (Professional)
– Sporting (Amateur)
– Rookie Class (Young development drivers)
Notably, five young rookies from the Toyota GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Programme, launched in 2021—will be competing on an international platform in only their second race of the season.
To date, 22 drivers have graduated from the program, with over 10 currently competing in local races and 4 already achieving victories and championship titles on the international stage.
'Our participation as Title Sponsor reflects UMW Toyota Motor's continued commitment to elevate Malaysian motorsports. The VIOS Challenge, premier one make race has served as a proven springboard for local talent, and to now have our drivers compete on the same stage as international teams at SUPER GT marks a defining milestone. This opportunity aligns with our GAZOO Racing philosophy of pushing limits for better – developing not just vehicles, but people. SUPER GT Malaysia Festival is not just a platform for competition—it's a launchpad that proudly positions Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia on the global motorsports map and a showcase that Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia is here, active, and ready to grow. Looking ahead, Toyota intends to broaden our motorsports footprint by establishing a clearer progression path for our TGR Rookies, enabling their natural graduation into higher-level racing categories. Plans are underway to form the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia (TGRMY), a factory racing team to participate in regional motorsport series to strengthen Malaysia's presence in the sport.' – Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor
Celebrating its 8th season in 2025, the VIOS Challenge has grown into Malaysia's most competitive and accessible grassroots racing platform. The championship offers:
– RM800,000 in prize money
– Participation of 36 drivers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand
– Competition using identically prepared Toyota VIOS powered by 1.5-litre engines with 5-speed transmission
Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia at SUPER GT MALAYSIA FESTIVAL
Fans attending the SUPER GT Malaysia Festival can expect an immersive experience at the Sepang International Circuit Mall & Grandstand area featuring:
– A showcase of GR models: GR Supra, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR86, Corolla GR Sport, GR Sport Corolla Cross HEV
– Original GR merchandise sales
– Interactive games, prizes, and activities for all ages
– A Japanese food & cultural village
– A display of JDM (Japan Domestic Model) cars
– The GT Live! post-race concert featuring:
– Garam & Madu, Tenxi, Naykilla & Jemsii (TNJ), Kaka Azraff, KL48, Fareedpf K-Clique, and Sabhi Saddi
Event Organisers
The Malaysian round is organised by HARO Sports & Entertainment as the rights holder and promoter of SUPER GT in Malaysia, and sanctioned by the GT Association (GTA), custodians of the SUPER GT Series.
Tickets are now available at www.supergtmalaysia.com
– K1 Grandstand: RM100 (RM80 for early birds)
– Main Grandstand: RM250 (RM200 for early birds)
– GT Suite: RM350
– GT Live! Rock Zone: RM500
– GT Club Paddock: RM2,000 (includes VIP concert access)
Stay up to date with all the action:
Website: www.toyota.com.my/en/tgrmalaysia
Facebook: facebook.com/tgrmy
Instagram: instagram.com/tgrmalaysia
YouTube: youtube.com/@tgrmalaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hype Malaysia
43 minutes ago
- Hype Malaysia
(Photos) Badminton Players Ong Yew Sin & Aya Ohori Officially Tie The Knot!
It's official – Malaysian badminton player Ong Yew Sin (王耀新) and Japanese badminton player Aya Ohori (大堀彩) are off the market. The pair had registered their marriage last week. Over the weekend, Yew Sin and Aya shared the joyous news that they have officially tied the knot after registering their marriage on 19th June 2025 (Thursday). In their shared post, the couple wrote, 'Officially off the market. May we grow old together & love each other more and more every day. Thanks everyone, for the wishes and support.' The couple also wrote similar messages in Mandarin and Japanese. According to reports, the couple had their civil marriage ceremony at the Melaka National Registration Department (JPN Melaka). The government office also shared more photos and a video of Yew Sin and Aya from the occasion on their official social media pages. In a Facebook post, JPN Melaka expressed honour in being part of the couple's marriage ceremony and extended well-wishes for Yew Sin and Aya to have a happy and lasting marriage. After the announcement, family, friends and badminton fans shared happy messages for the newlyweds. Fellow badminton players, including Aaron Chia, Low Juan Shen and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, shared congratulatory messages in the couple's Instagram post. Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh shared a separate post congratulating the couple on their marriage and welcoming Aya to the Team Malaysia family. Yew Sin and Aya's love story is especially notable as they're national badminton players of their respective countries. The former is active on the court with his men's doubles partner, Teo Ee Yi, while the latter announced her retirement late last year. After tying the knot, the pair will be based in Malaysia, but Aya may travel back and forth to Japan depending on her work. We would also like to congratulate Ong Yew Sin and Aya Ohori on their marriage. May their marriage last a lifetime. Check out the video of the ceremony from JPN Melaka: @jpnmelakaofficial 💖💖RAIKAN CINTA PEMAIN BADMINTON MALAYSIA ONG YEW SIN DAN PASANGANNYA AYA OHORI💖💖 19 Jun 2025 | Ayer Keroh – Pada hari ini JPN Negeri Melaka telah berbesar hati menyatukan cinta pemain badminton handalan Negara, En. Ong Yew Sin bersama pasangannya juga pemain badminton dari Negara Jepun, Pn. Aya Ohori bertempat di Bahagian Perkahwinan dan Perceraian, JPN Negeri Melaka. Upacara perkahwinan sivil tersebut telah dilakukan oleh Penolong Pegawai Pendaftaran, Puan Nur Fatehah binti Razali dimana pasangan tersebut telah mengangkat ikrar perkahwinan dihadapan beliau dan disaksikan oleh wakil keluarga masing-masing. Tahniah diucapkan dari kami dan semoga perkahwinan cinta dari dua budaya ini berkekalan selamanya. #MalaysiaMadani #Madanibekerja #KDNSejahteraMadani #KDNIhsanMadani #RakyatDiHatiJPN #MelakaRESPONSIVE #BadmintonMalaysia #badmintonlovers #jpndimanamana ♬ original sound – Romancevibe🌸 – mimi Sources: Instagram (1)(2), Facebook What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Bilbao star Jauregizar denies Malaysia links fake rumours
ATHLETIC Bilbao's rising midfielder Mikel Jauregizar has shot down persistent rumours linking him to the Malaysian national team, calling the speculation 'complete rubbish'. The 20-year-old Spanish player told Marca newspaper that claims about his supposed Malaysian heritage are entirely fabricated, despite widespread social media buzz suggesting he could represent Harimau Malaya. 'It's all made up. Malaysian connection? Impossible - that's total nonsense. I won't be playing for Malaysia,' Jauregizar stated firmly in the report. The rumours gained traction after a local sports journalist's video went viral, claiming the Bilbao youngster had Malaysian roots that could make him eligible for naturalisation. 'My friends showed me this video from some Malaysian journalist who invented this story about my background,' he explained. 'People just create these wild stories out of nothing.' The midfielder, who prefers staying away from media attention, admitted the false claims still reached him through social platforms. 'I'm not keen on interviews, but somehow all this fake news finds its way to us players,' he said. According to New Straits Times, this marks the second time in recent weeks that European players have had to debunk Malaysian heritage claims. Dutch striker Ferdy Druijf previously dismissed similar rumours, telling ESPN Netherlands that random Instagram accounts had spread false information about his grandmother's supposed Malaysian background. 'It's mental how these stories spread,' Druijf had said. 'Even got more Instagram followers from it, which is quite mad really.' Malaysian football fans, eager for naturalised talent, have been quick to share these unverified claims across social media platforms, creating viral moments that eventually reach the players themselves.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
BAM boss inspires Justin and Co before US Open challenge
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles ace Justin Hoh and his compatriots received a timely morale boost from BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ahead of the US Open, which starts on Tuesday in Iowa. Tengku Zafrul, who is also the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, is currently on a working visit in Washington DC and took the opportunity to encourage the Malaysian contingent taking part in the Super 300 event. World No. 42 Justin will be joined at the US and Canada Opens (July 1-7) by men's singles Eogene Ewe (world No. 101) and women's singles K. Letshanaa (No. 50) and Wong Ling Ching (No. 99) — all making their debut appearances at both tournaments. Tengku Zafrul revealed via social media that fans had asked him to lend support to the BAM players competing in the United States. "I've received requests from fans to observe and support the BAM players who are competing at the US Open in Iowa," he posted on Instagram. "If it were nearby, I'd definitely be there to cheer them on, but the distance from Washington to Iowa is nearly 1,900km. "To Justin, Eogene, Letshanaa and Ling Ching — do your best and make us proud." Justin will be aiming to surpass his best result of the year — a quarter-final showing at the Taiwan Open — but faces stiff competition in Iowa. The tournament is headlined by world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan, the recent runner-up at the Super 1000 Indonesia Open. Justin is expected to clear the opening hurdle against world No. 61 Julien Carraggi of Belgium, but could face a tricky second-round tie against India's world No. 58 S. Sankar Muthusamy, followed by a potential quarter-final clash with world No. 12 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan. Eogene opens his campaign in the qualifying round against India's Darshan Pujari on Tuesday. In the women's singles, Letshanaa faces a tough first-round draw against 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, while Ling Ching takes on American No. 110 Isabelle Rusli in the qualifying round.
