KLANG: UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has put together its very own GT4 class racing team.
Known as TGR Racing Malaysia, the team will compete in the 2026 Thailand Super Series.
By participating in one of Southeast Asia’s most competitive GT racing championships, Toyota Malaysia is marking its expansion into regional GT competition.
The move also represents the next step in the company's contribution to the development of Malaysian motorsport.
According to UMWT, the team will operate with a long-term view of competition and development, building on experience gained through eight seasons of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge since 2017.
All five rounds of the Thailand Super Series GT4 season will be contested with an all-Malaysian driver line-up comprising Shaun Thong, Weiron Tan, Nazim Azman and Putera Adam.
They're supported by an experienced Malaysian and Japanese team with decades of top-level racing experience.
The programme will focus on building strong technical discipline and race operations standards as the team prepares to compete consistently at the regional GT level.
While the inaugural season for the racing team will focus on preparation and learning, the team is committed to pursuing steady progress to become a series contender.
This will include imparting specialised knowledge and experience on Malaysian technical and race operations personnel who will be working alongside their Japanese counterparts.
As for their cars the team will field two GR Supra GT4 EVO2 that are prepared in accordance with Thailand Super Series GT4 regulations.
The GR Supra GT4 EVO2 is developed and produced by TGR Racing Europe as part of Toyota’s global customer racing programme.
The EVO2 version incorporates a series of updates focused on performance, reliability and drivability, including improved braking performance, revised damper settings, enhanced cooling and refined ABS calibration.
These updates were introduced following feedback from teams and drivers competing in GT4 championships worldwide.
“For Toyota, racing is part of our DNA and how we improve. When we compete, the objective is to perform at the highest level and to win, because real racing is where true standards are set," said UMWT president Datuk Ravindran K.
"Over the years, TGR Racing has grown into a platform that supports the motorsport industry, brings together the racing community and develops local talent.
"This next evolution sees us stepping into regional GT competition and continuing to raise the bar for Malaysian motorsport,” he added.
The Thailand Super Series kicks off a pre-season test from April 22-23 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram ahead of the opening round from May 21-24 at the same circuit.
Round 2 will be from July 1-5 and held in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Bangsaen Grand Prix international street racing festival in Chonburi.
Rounds 3 and 4 will move to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit from Aug 21-23 and Sept 18-20, respectively.
The race eventually returns to Chang International Circuit from Oct 30 to Nov 1 for the finale.
Further details on the team’s activities and progress will be announced in due course.
