Toyota VIOS challenge set to debut at SUPER GT Malaysia 2025 with endurance race

KUALA LUMPUR:  After more than a decade, the AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series is finally making a comeback to Malaysian soil—and with it comes a significant first for local motorsports.

The VIOS Challenge, Toyota’s long-running one-make race series in Malaysia, will be featured as a support race at the international event, marking its debut on a global stage.

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Scheduled for 26–28 June 2025 at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, this long-awaited Malaysian round is the only overseas stop in the 2025 SUPER GT calendar.

It’s expected to draw over 40,000 fans to the circuit, along with a worldwide broadcast and online audience of 162 million viewers. For UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia (TGR), the event is a significant step forward—they’re not only sponsoring the weekend, but taking the lead as title sponsors.

Unlike the usual 30-minute sprint format seen in local VIOS Challenge races, the Sepang edition will adopt a new one-hour endurance format.

The race will be contested on the full 5.543-kilometre Sepang circuit and remain open to all three existing driver classes—Super Sporting for professionals, Sporting for amateur racers, and the Rookie Class for young talents still making their way up the ladder.

Of particular interest is the participation of five rookies from the Toyota GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Programme. Launched in 2021, the programme has already seen 22 drivers graduate, with more than 10 currently competing in domestic racing events.

Four have even gone on to achieve race wins and championships abroad. For the rookies, this appearance in Sepang will only be their second race of the season—making the opportunity to share a platform with international drivers all the more meaningful.

UMW Toyota Motor’s President, Datuk Ravindran K., described the move as a milestone for local motorsports. “Our participation as Title Sponsor reflects UMW Toyota Motor’s continued commitment to elevate Malaysian motorsports,” he said. “The VIOS Challenge 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.”

He added that this effort is closely aligned with Toyota’s global GAZOO Racing philosophy—pushing limits not only in terms of vehicles but also people.

He confirmed that UMW Toyota Motor plans to expand its motorsports activities by formalising Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia (TGRMY) as a factory racing team, with ambitions to take part in regional racing series and create a clearer path for local rookies to advance to higher-level motorsport categories.

Now in its eighth season, the VIOS Challenge has earned a reputation as one of the most competitive and accessible grassroots race series in Malaysia. It’s a tightly controlled one-make series, where drivers race in identically-prepared Toyota VIOS sedans powered by 1.5-litre engines with five-speed manual gearboxes.

With machinery so evenly matched, the focus falls entirely on driver skill and team preparation—often resulting in close, aggressive racing that’s become a favourite among fans. This year’s grid features 36 drivers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, with RM800,000 in prize money on offer.

While the VIOS Challenge will provide a glimpse of Malaysian motorsports in action, SUPER GT’s return to Sepang brings with it the usual fanfare and high-octane GT500 and GT300 racing drama.

Toyota has had a strong showing in the series in recent years, with TGR Team au TOM’s claiming the GT500 championship titles in both 2023 and 2024. In the current season, TOM’s GR Supra took victory in the opening round at Okayama, followed by a win for the KeePer CERUMO GR Supra at Fuji Speedway.

Beyond the racing, fans attending the SUPER GT Malaysia Festival can expect a full weekend experience at the Sepang Mall and Grandstand area.

The event will include displays of GAZOO Racing models such as the GR Supra, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR86, and GR Sport variants of the Corolla and Corolla Cross HEV. There’ll also be GR merchandise on sale, interactive games and activities, a Japanese food and cultural village, and a showcase of classic JDM cars.

To close out the weekend, the GT Live! post-race concert will take place, featuring a lineup of local acts including Garam & Madu, Tenxi, Naykilla & Jemsii (TNJ), Kaka Azraff, KL48, Fareedpf from K-Clique, and Sabhi Saddi.

The Malaysian leg of SUPER GT is organised by HARO Sports & Entertainment and sanctioned by the GT Association (GTA), which oversees the series internationally.

Tickets are already available via supergtmalaysia.com, ranging from RM100 for K1 Grandstand access to RM2,000 for the GT Club Paddock, which includes VIP access to the concert.

Featuring alongside the SUPER GT weekend, the VIOS Challenge’s international outing adds another layer to what is shaping up to be a busy three days at Sepang.

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