SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota, the main organiser of the Toyota Vios Challenge one-make race series, has decided to officially end its third race season without the penultimate race at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
In doing so, drivers within their respective race classes have had their points and standings finalised due to the introduction of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18 and its subsequent extensions meant the help curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in the nation. The current Conditional Movement Control Order is currently due to end on June 9.
"Season three had again demonstrated this spirit of competition, but inevitably the final race must yield to an even greater agenda which is to place national interest and public safety ahead of all other matters,” said Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia chief motorsports officer and UMW Toyota deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.
Takeyama added that the final results were made after careful deliberation in adherence to and consistent with all provisions underlined by the technical and sporting regulations of the championship, and in discussion with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Malaysia’s governing body for motorsports.
The premature end of the third race season sees Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel (Team 23) becoming the champion with 90 points in the Super Sporting Class for professional drivers - 11 points ahead of second-place winner Mark Darwin of Laser Motor Racing.
Djan's win this season marks his second championship title after having emerged the victor at the conclusion of the inaugural season one of the race series on Mar 24, 2018. During the second season, Djan took a break from racing by assuming managerial duties and responsibilities of the race team.
“The season has been nothing short of intense from start to finish. Competing in a one-make race series where you are limited to only your driving skills, there’s only so much you can do in the company of so many experienced and talented elite drivers on the grid and I am fortunate enough to have finished every race consistently in the points,” said Djan who rounds up the season’s six races with two wins, two second-place finishes, a fourth-place finish and one retirement.
Djan added that this one-make race series helps to accelerate a driver’s learning curve by teaching drivers how to be more technical and tactical by making minute changes to the vehicle’s set-up.
In the Sporting Class for amateur drivers, it was 16-year-old Hayden Haikal who takes the win to become the youngest champion in the series while musician and TV personality Shawn Lee emerged the champion within the Promotional class for celebrity racers.
The finale of the race series was initially scheduled to happen from April 17 to 19 at the SIC but was cancelled due to the MCO. The decision was also consistent with the best practices of other international motor-racing events.
Season 3 of the street racing series kicked off in Kuala Terengganu on Sept 5 to 7 (2019) before heading to Bandar Malaysia (Nov 9 to 10) for round two and onwards to Batu Kawan, Penang on Feb 14 to 16 for round three.
The Japanese car brand in Malaysia says that it is currently planning for an even more exciting fourth season of the race that's held in conjunction with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival.
The company assures that Season 4 of race series will promise more exciting motor-racing events to come with additional racing programmes for racers to compete in while looking closely at the potential of talent development.
"I would like to convey our highest appreciation to all the participating teams, drivers, dealers, fans, spectators, sponsors and officials who have been instrumental in making this series a success,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.
