Akmal Azhar
Intense Racing at Sepang
The Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Vios Challenge Round 3, Race 2 delivered non-stop action at the 5.543km Petronas Sepang International Circuit, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in January 2026. With double points on offer, championship contenders across the Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie classes pushed their limits in a 1-hour race filled with overtakes, strategy calls, and dramatic incidents.
Super Sporting Class Showdown
Team Prima Pearl SP Selatan’s Mitchell Cheah emerged victorious in the Super Sporting Class after holding off relentless pressure from Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang. Cheah’s win came despite carrying a 30kg ballast, with his consistency and patience paying off in the closing stages. Modern Racing Team’s debutant, Najiy Ayyad, led early on but was forced to pit unexpectedly, allowing Cheah, Ang, and Aman Nagdev of Axle Sports to battle for the top spots. Two late safety car deployments compressed the field, turning the finish into a short sprint to the line. Cheah now leads the championship, but with 50kg ballast for the final two races, he faces a tough fight to hold onto the top spot.
Sporting Class Drama
In the Sporting Class, G-Mart Motorsport’s Adam Mikail charged from the back of the grid to secure victory after failing to finish Race 1. Former Rookie Class champion Sharique Zulqarnain initially finished second for FIA Boulevard Racing but was disqualified for failing the post-race weigh-in. This promoted Kulim Topwheels’ Dato’ Dr Ken Foo to second and Thai driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun of RUK Team Nexzter PMC 52 to third. Adam, in his debut Sporting Class season, remains uncertain about his championship chances but vowed to keep pushing until the end.
Rookie Class Resilience
Ian James clinched the Rookie Class win ahead of Justin Rahul Dev and Harkiesh Geeva. Harkiesh had led early on but was caught in an incident involving Sporting Class competitors. Fellow rookies Aydan Khaliq and Genevieve Ooi also suffered damage but rejoined after repairs, albeit a lap down. Ian credited tyre management as a challenge in the hot conditions, while also expressing disappointment that several rookie rivals were taken out of contention early. Despite setbacks, the rookies showed resilience and determination, embodying Toyota’s “Move Your World” philosophy by turning every lap into a learning experience.
Looking Ahead
With no clear favourites in any class, the 2025 Vios Challenge championship will be decided in January’s final round. The stakes are high, and the competition is as close as ever, ensuring the conclusion to Season 8 will be one to remember.
Zakirin
