The opening Round 1 of the GR Vios Challenge Season 6 got off to a thrilling start of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival at Sepang International Circuit from Feb 18-19.
More than 3.5 million viewers were tuned into the live streams of the race which also featured a line-up of five new celebrities, six new rookie drivers and a grid of 45 cars.
The weekend saw a close and hard-fought race on the track throughout the four classes of racing with young drivers beginning to exert their sheer dominance in the series.
“Motorsports has not only had a very profound impact on the brand but we are extremely happy that we have been able to make a meaningful contribution to its development, namely with the emergence of young drivers,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ravindran K.
“At the start of this 6th season of racing, you can already see a very large pool of young drivers beginning to exert their dominance especially in the Super Sporting and Sporting Classes for professionals and amateur racers respectively. This is a very positive development for the sport,” he added.
The evolution of these new, younger and bold generation of drivers has come at a very rapid pace, more so over the past three years, due to the GR Vios Challenge’s format of a one-make race which levels the playing field between the experienced and young drivers.
In the company of more accomplished racers, the younger proteges have been able to hone their driving skills and race craft at an accelerated learning curve.
Prima Pearl TD Racing’s Mitchell Cheah clinched victory in Race 2 for the 20-lap in the Super Sporting Class.
Cheah finished 0.4 seconds ahead of Laser Motor Racing’s Putera Adam while coming in third was Axle Sports’ and defending Super Sporting Class overall champion Hayden Haikal.
Putera was subsequently handed a penalty dropping to fifth and that promoted Hayden to second position and Prima Pearl TD Racing’s Tengku Djan Ley into third spot.
Winning Race 2 makes up for the disappointment Cheah endured in Race 1 (the day before) when a 10-second post-race penalty stripped him of a race win dropping him to 6th position.
“It’s good to be back on the podium again. Technically I won both races but the penalty cost me the win in Race 1. Race 2 was tougher than I had expected because the younger drivers are very fast,” said the 25-year-old Cheah. “I had to manage an understeer towards the end of the race and had to do whatever I could to protect my position.”
In the Rookie Class, 16-year-old Ariff Azmi clinched victory in Race 2 ahead of Nazmir Azlan and Iman Danish in third position.
“Yesterday I was leading but halfway through the race I suffered an ABS failure which pushed me down to 6th and that wasn’t the result I was hoping for especially after claiming pole position,” said Ariff who was 2019 Rotax Max Malaysia junior champion.
“The transition from karting to saloon car racing has been challenging but with a lot of help I’ve received via the GR Young Talent Development Program and from so many people on the grid it’s been really good. It eased me into the car a lot better instead of just being thrown into a race without any development program. I have to thank Toyota for this opportunity they have given to develop drivers like us,” added Ariff.
With the overall Rookie Class championship being won by simulator racers in the previous two seasons, Ariff also appears confident of becoming the first karter to win the title in 2023.
For simulator racers Nazmir and Iman, it was their second visit to the podium in two races. Nazmir finished third in Race 1 while Iman went on to win the opening Rookie Class race.
In the Sporting Class, Crestmax Motorsport’s Bradley Benedict Anthony was declared winner at the end of the 20-lap race, with a gap of 0.7 seconds in front of Season 5’s Rookie Class champion Nabil Azlan and 23 Motors’ Abdul Miqail claimed third place.
“I was being pressured all the way from the start to the chequered flag. I saw Abdul Miqail really pushing. He started 9th on the grid but midway through the race he was already fighting for second position,” said Bradley. “I just did my best to maintain my tyres to ensure I retained the level of grip needed to get me to the finish.”
Race 2 of the Promotional Class was still a “ZizanShukri Show”, with actors Zizan Razak and Shukri Yahaya finishing in the top two positions and just 0.3 seconds separating the two drivers.
GR Vios Challenge newcomer Ezzrin Loy finished third in the 18-lap race, 13.3 seconds behind, but still successfully securing his second straight podium finish in two races.
“I expect this duel on the track to continue throughout the season. I have to admit that Zizan is a better driver. It is difficult for me to not only overtake him but to also get away from him when I am in the lead. Unlike Zizan, my only exposure to motorsports has been confined to competing in six seasons of the GR Vios Challenge,” said Shukri, who is also a former Promotional Class overall champion.
Meanwhile, actor and host Ezzrin who is also an avid motorcycle enthusiast said the experience of racing a saloon car has been an eye opener.
“Both driving and riding on the track is challenging, but what is important is to have a strong foundation. Personally, I would say racing a car is more challenging but if I keep focusing on making progress, I hope to continue being on the podium for the remaining four races,” said Ezzrin.
The GR Vios Challenge Round 2 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival is scheduled from June 2-4, 2023 at the Sepang International Circuit.
Season 6, Round 1, Race 2 Results
Super Sporting Class
1. Mitchell Cheah – Prima Pearl TD Racing
2. Hayden Haikal – Axle Sports
3. Tengku Djan Ley – Prima Pearl TD Racing
Sporting Class
1. Bradley Benedict Anthony – Crestmax Motorsport
2. Nabil Azlan – Axle Sports
3. Abdul Miqail – 23 Motors
Rookie Class
1. Ariff Azmi
2. Nazmir Azlan
3. Iman Danish
Promotional Class
1. Zizan Razak
2. Shukri Yahaya
3. Ezzrin Loy
