Sepang 1000KM endurance race – Toyota dominate as Vios and Yaris take 1-2-4 end, Honda Metropolis fifth

Toyota capped a powerful efficiency with a 1-2 end on the Sepang 1000 KM endurance race which happened final weekend between November 17 to twenty. In solely its second 12 months of participation, three Toyota entries completed within the high 5 general positions of the endurance race and within the Malaysian Touring Automobile (MTC) class.

A complete of 77 vehicles participated within the 14th version of the Sepang 1000 KM endurance race which ran for over 180 laps or 9 hours. The race consisted of the MTC and Normal Manufacturing (SP2) classes for vehicles beneath 1600 cc and the Gazoo Racing Vios Enduro Cup. The Enduro Cup class was completely for entry by Toyota Vios race vehicles competing within the Vios Problem race sequence.

The general race was received by Gazoo Racing Malaysia ambassador Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel and reigning Vios Problem Sporting Class Champion Naquib Azlan within the Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia #37 Vios race automotive. Beginning the race from pole place, the group crossed the end line after 181 laps, 6.2 seconds forward of second place Wing Hin Motorsports with Hayden Haikal and Jwan Hii within the #39 Yaris.

Third place went to Mitchell Cheah and Brendan Paul Anthony of Hello Rev Dream Chaser within the Suzuki Swift and fourth place to Boy Wong and Dannies Ng of Wing Hin Motorsports within the #38 Yaris. Rounding up the highest 5 spots have been Lee Wee Sing and Leon Khoo Beng Koon in a Honda Metropolis by Workforce R Engineering HMRT.

“Final 12 months was all about studying and gaining monitor time to develop each the Vios and Yaris to tackle the celebrated 1000 KM race. We had an in depth programme in place in addition to aggressive vehicles and we went on to win the race however we needed to settle for a penalty that labeled us third within the MTC Class. Occurring to win the race this 12 months the place we not solely led from begin to end however had three vehicles within the high 5 positions general greater than makes up for that setback,” stated UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran Okay.

Ravindran stated Toyota’s involvement in Malaysian motorsports has contributed to the unearthing and grooming of many new younger driving abilities. It’s also the results of the Younger Expertise Improvement Programme and the introduction of a Rookie Class within the Vios Problem.

“I’ve finished so many endurance races on a simulator however this was the primary time I’ve began an endurance race in actual life. All in all, it was an incredible race,” stated Naquib who transitioned from simulator racing to saloon automotive racing within the Vios Problem. Naquib received the 2021 Rookie Class and this 12 months’s Sporting Class classes of the Vios Problem.

For one more younger Vios Problem driver, Hayden Haikal ending second was nonetheless an impressive consequence after ending third place twice within the final two years. As for the SP2 class, the Toyota Gazoo Racing group was led by Vios Problem Rookie Class Champion, Nabil Azlan, Muizzuddin Musyaffa and Muhammad Hamdany. The trio certified in pole place however completed eleventh general of their first-ever Sepang 1000 KM race.

As for the Gazoo Racing Vios Enduro Cup class which solely consisted of 14 vehicles, the daddy and son group of Al Farouk and Abdul Miqail driving for 23 Motors stormed to victory adopted by teammates Ady Rahimy and Amir Husin Mubarak. Coming in third have been Mirza Syahmi Mahzan, Aiman Haziq, Khair Nur Adi and Khair Nur Adli of Carroof Motorsport.

The victory earned Al Farouk and Abdul Miqail RM10,000 in prize cash, whereas second and third place winners walked house with RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively. The Gazoo Racing Vios Enduro Cup provided a complete of RM30,000 in prize monies with fourth and fifth place winners taking RM4,000 and RM2,000 respectively.