{"id":10816,"date":"2025-08-07T00:31:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T16:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/klhappenings.com\/?p=10816"},"modified":"2025-08-07T00:31:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T16:31:27","slug":"vios-challenge-round-3-two-gruelling-1-hour-battles-could-decide-2025-championship-fate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/klhappenings.com\/?p=10816","title":{"rendered":"VIOS CHALLENGE ROUND 3: TWO GRUELLING 1-HOUR BATTLES COULD DECIDE 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP FATE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2025 VIOS CHALLENGE: <\/strong>SHAH ALAM, 4 AUGUST 2025 \u2014 Round 3 of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia VIOS Challenge, happening from 8\u201310 August at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the 2025 championship across all three categories – Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the season reaches its halfway mark, the overall points standings remain extremely close, with no fewer than three drivers in each category firmly being in contention for the title. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe VIOS Challenge continues to be more than just a race\u2014it is a dynamic platform that reflects Toyota\u2019s passion for performance, innovation and the development of homegrown talent. As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, we are proud to see how the competition has matured with rising intensity, diversity and a growing number of drivers progressing through the ranks from rookies to professionals. This is a true testament to the impact of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia initiative, and we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of motorsports talent while delivering excitement to fans across the nation,\u201d<\/em> said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Round 3 of the VIOS Challenge will run concurrently with Round 3 of the Malaysian Touring Car Championship as well as Round 4 of the Thailand Super Series. Like Round 2, all three VIOS Challenge classes of racing will be grouped together for the start of a one-hour semi-endurance race on Saturday and Sunday held across the full 5.543 km track. If Round 2 was any indication, spectators can expect an intense, continuous battle from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUPER SPORTING CLASS: FORMER CHAMPION, MR. CONSISTENT, AND A DARK HORSE IN TITLE HUNT <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the elite Super Sporting Class<\/strong>, three drivers have emerged strong candidates in the running for this year\u2019s overall championship as the series hits it halfway mark. They are Team Prima Pearl SP Selatan\u2019s Mitchell Cheah, who is also 2023 champion and vying for his second successive title currently with 83 points; Telagamas Toyota\u2019s Freddie Ang who is two points adrift; and Laser Motor Racing\u2019s Ady Rahimy with 72 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too early in the championship to predict anything but yes, the team and I are back this year in pursuit of a second overall title after coming so close to winning it in 2024,\u201d said Cheah who missed on claiming a back-to-back title last year when he finished second just six points behind Axle Sports\u2019 Naquib Azlan in a season that went all the way to the final round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Ang, his current position in the point standings is his best so far as he fights to claim his first ever title. Ang is regarded as one of the most consistent professionals in the series over the past five years with frequent top three finishes but it wasn\u2019t enough to get him into striking contention of the title. He finished third in 2024, 7th<\/sup> in 2023, 4th<\/sup> in 2022, 4th<\/sup> in 2021 and 3rd<\/sup> in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a racer you go into every race looking to perform your best and go for victory. I like to take things one step at a time and not get too ahead of myself. It\u2019s great to be second overall in the point standings currently and within reach of that elusive Super Sporting Class title but the fight is only at its halfway mark and in racing, anything can happen over the weekend,\u201d said Ang.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Meanwhile, Ady is the dark horse in this three-way battle. Known for his fighting spirit and tactical race craft, he finds himself in a stronger position this season, backed by the race-winning Laser Motor Racing outfit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPORTING CLASS: FORMER ROOKIES STAND IN THE WAY OF THAI DRIVER MAKING HISTORY<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the Sporting Class<\/strong> for amateurs, currently leading the overall point standings is former Rookie driver Jwan Hii who has currently propelled himself to 85 points in the Hong Huat X Armada KK Racing Vios. Trailing him is Elson Lew of BAE Racing by ES Yang with 76 points, while Thai driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun of RUK Team Nexzter PMC holds third with 62 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making his return to the Vios Challenge, Hii was part of the inaugural batch of Rookie drivers under the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Young Talent Development Program in 2021. He finished 4th overall in the Rookie Class that year before moving on to compete in several national-level racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to be back albeit in a more super competitive class this year. I\u2019m just focused on the task at hand which is one race at a time. We\u2019ll look at the championship again after Round 3,\u201d said Hii.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Another former Rookie, Lew, is also proving to be a strong contender. He finished 4th overall in the Rookie Class in 2023 and went on to secure 3rd overall in the Sporting Class in 2024. This is only his second year competing in the category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wattanathanakun, on the other hand, is in his debut season – but already stands a chance to become the first foreign driver to win the Sporting Class overall title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMalaysia has a lot of experienced drivers and my participation here is to gain experience. Racing at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit also presents me with a learning experience, especially with the track\u2019s combination of uphill and downhill sections, fast and tight corners, and long straights which I do not experience racing at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand,\u201d said the 17-year-old and former Rotax Max (karting) Thailand champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe VIOS Challenge race car feels good (1.5-litre engine) and certainly has a lot more power than the 1.2-litre Yaris I raced in Thailand. I am adjusting to the car well. My goal this season is to enhance my driving skills and hopefully do well to earn a promotion into the Super Sporting Class next year so I can compete with the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ROOKIE CLASS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Rookie Class remains wide open. While professional karters Aydan Khaliq and Rahul Dev currently sit at the top of the standings with 94 and 93 points respectively, the competition is intense with a number of racers rising to the challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Third in the standings is recreational karter Harkiesh Geeva with 72 points, followed by simulator racer Ian James on 71 points and Genevieve Ooi, the only female driver in the category at 66 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn all honesty, and looking at how the first two races unfolded, every one of us has a strong chance at becoming champion. Yes, I may lead the overall point standings but only marginally, and that speaks volume about the high level of competition in the Rookie Class. Every single driver has a strong fighting spirit and my guess is that it will go all the way to the very last race of the season,\u201d said 18-year-old Aydan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss the 2025 VIOS Challenge Round 3 action! Follow Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia on social media for live updates, race highlights, and behind-the-scenes content:<\/p>\n\n\n\n