Malaysia’s Kegani Racing Academy (KRA) today officially launched the 2026 SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series with the first ever driver draft being held in Malaysia to select drivers for the participating teams.
Opened to only privately-owned teams and companies, the Professional Series will be held over 5 rounds at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit with the first season limited to only 10 teams. To date, 4 teams (Bendix Ultimate Racing Team; Profimax Racing Team; Team Ultra Racing; & ELF Evolution Team) have already selected their drivers which was carried out by way of ballot.
The Professional Series is a national status championship and a step up from the already-successful SKILLDRVN One Make Race (OMR) Series which was started in 2023 as a gateway to develop young and new racers.
“The Professional Series was introduced to give Malaysian companies, brands and products an affordable, visible and most importantly a sustainable presence in motorsports. Everyone competes on the same level in terms of machinery and budget, the cost of entry is immensely attractive, and they will have a pool of competitive racers to choose from by way of the draft. At the same time, racers competing in the SKILLDRVN One Make Race (OMR) Series will now have something even more exciting to fight for in that they have the potential to drive professionally for teams,” said Kegani Racing Academy Principal and Chief Coach Kenny Lee.
All cars for the Professional Series will run a production-based 1.6-litre Suzuki Swift similar to the SKILLDRVN One Make Race Series but with a Series-upgraded engine mapping. Teams will have the option of entering two cars beginning 2027.
BECOMING A SKILLDRVN SWIFT PROFESSIONAL SERIES DRIVER
In order to be eligible to be drafted as a SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series driver, racers must first prove themselves worthy in the SKILLDRVN One Make Race (OMR) Series.
Those who accumulate at least 700 career championship points will be automatically eligible for draft into the Professional Series.
With only 500 maximum points available in the OMR series (100 points for each of the 5 championship rounds per season), this means every point matters. The only exception to the 700-point eligibility is if a driver wins the maximum 500 points in a single season as well as the Rookie of the Year award.
As a Professional Series racer, individuals will be entitled to a full racing sponsorship to compete with the team that selects them. Racers will no longer be faced with the option of buying the race car or renting it in a special “arrive and drive” programme per round.
To begin your career in the OMR Series, sign up as a student of Kegani Racing Academy which is taking the lead in Motorsports Education. The Academy incorporates theories through a distinctive course syllabus with practical sessions emphasizing on on-track training and mentoring that tremendously aids to speed up a student’s learning curve while maintaining high driving and racing standards, as well as sportsmanship.
“Bendix was motivated to support the SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series because it provides a relevant motorsport platform where braking performance, durability, and consistency are tested under real racing conditions. The Series’ structured format and competitive parity closely reflect the demands placed on braking systems in motorsport, making it a meaningful environment for Bendix to support driver development through reliable and proven braking solutions.
“The SKILLDRVN One Make Race platform allows drivers to develop critical braking and vehicle control skills in a controlled, equal-equipment environment. With identical cars, drivers must rely on consistent braking points, modulation, heat management, and feedback sensitivity rather than mechanical advantages. These fundamentals are essential at grassroots level and form the technical foundation required before stepping up to professional racing.
“Motorsport thrives when drivers and partners commit to long-term development. For drivers, consistent participation builds experience and exposure. For partners, supporting structured series like SKILLDRVN is an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the sport while engaging authentically with the motorsport community.” – Alicia Choong, Asssistant Marketing Manager, FMP Automotive (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
PROFIMAX RACING TEAM
“At Profimax, our business ideology is performance through protection and consistency. Whether it’s on the road or on the track, real performance only comes when the fundamentals are done right. The SKILLDRVN One Make Race platform reflects this same philosophy. At the grassroots level, drivers need a controlled, equal, and reliable environment to learn proper racecraft, vehicle behaviour, and discipline. When all cars are on the same platform, the difference comes down to driver skill, preparation, and understanding, not shortcuts. This is very similar to how we approach our products at Profimax. Our Automotive solutions are designed to deliver consistent protection, reliability, and efficiency, especially under demanding conditions. In grassroots racing, consistency and protection are what allow drivers to push limits safely and build confidence.
“The SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series represents the next logical step in a complete motorsport development pathway. The aspects that appealed most to us are the series’ professional structure, technical discipline, and emphasis on consistency rather than excess spending. From a product perspective, motorsports is the ultimate proving ground. The Professional Series creates real-world, high-stress conditions where reliability, protection, and efficiency truly matter. This aligns perfectly with Profimax’s philosophy of delivering maximum effectiveness at a reasonable cost, both on the track and for everyday drivers. More importantly, we see this series as a way to support sustainable growth in motorsports—where talent progression is clear, costs are managed, and performance is built on strong fundamentals. To potential partners, motorsports today is not just about visibility—it’s about value, authenticity, and long-term impact. Supporting platforms that are well-structured and accessible allow brands to connect with real enthusiasts while contributing to talent development and community growth.” – John Liew, Technical Specialist, HD Technic Sdn Bhd
TEAM ULTRA RACING
“The SKILLDRVN One Make Race Series provides a clear, structured pathway where each driver’s performance and progress can be tracked throughout the season. You can clearly see how drivers improve step by step, which reflects their true capability and potential. There are no shortcuts in this system, and that transparency makes it easier to identify genuine talent and also attracts motorsport enthusiasts who appreciate real driver development. Our motivation is the opportunity to grow together with the PRO Series. We see strong potential in the platform and the level of talent competing in it. By being part of the PROSeries, we hope to build long term collaboration, support talented drivers, and contribute to achieving even better results together in the future.
“Both the SKILLDRVN One Make Series and the PRO Series has a very well-structured system that develops drivers step by step, from beginners all the way to the professional level. We are confident in their training approach because it focuses on fundamentals, consistency, and real race experience. At the same time, our products complement this platform by improving car handling and giving drivers better confidence and control on track, which helps them maximise their performance as they progress.” – Kenny Kuan, Marketing Manager, Ultra Racing
2025 SKILLDRVN ONE MAKE RACE SERIES OVERALL CHAMPIONS
Kegani Racing Academy is also proud to crown Loke Yin Yee as the very first double overall champion of the SKILLDRVN One Make Race (OMR) Series. Loke had first won the title in 2024.
The runner-up for 2025 is Andy Boey while in third place overall is car #390 Vox Lim. Boey, 34, was also the overall winner in 2023.
To join the SKILLDRVN One Make Race Series, enquire about the SKILLDRVN Swift Professional Series or any of Kegani Racing Academy’s programs, kindly contact/whatsapp Kenny Lee at 012-614 4141, Ju at 012-6866177 or visit Kegani Racing Academy’s website at www.keganiracing.com and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/skilldrvn. You can also pay us a visit at Kegani Racing Services, No: 7, Jalan Serindit 2, Puchong Jaya 47100 Puchong, Selangor.
