Vios Challenge - new graduates eager to race

By CARSIFU | 18 July 2017


SEPANG: Toyota Racing Development Japan, popularly known as TRD, has certified the competency of 24 motor racing neophytes - effectively graduating from the Vios Challenge Racing School, and are now eagerly looking to the inaugural Vios Challenge race in Penang.

The compulsory introductory course taught the newly certified racers about the fundamentals of racing - encompassing safety protocols, advanced car handling techniques and maintaining proper racing lines.

Graduates with Takeyama (7th from left) and Ravindran on the right.
Graduates with Takeyama (centre row 7th from left) and Ravindran (8th from left).


Also receiving a scroll was UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama who will be joining the celebrities during the race weekend in the Promotional Category of the one-make race.

Prior to the ceremony, members of the media were able to try out the race car, which was limited to a shortened tracked around the Sepang International Circuit.

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Although it was a short three-lap stint, this reporter thoroughly enjoyed the fun nature of the race car's neutral balance, responsive throttle, hard biting brakes, levelled cornering experience, smooth up-shifts under full throttle and a stable rear-end under hard-braking.

The highly anticipated race will feature 40 race-ready Toyota Vios 1.5J cars and will take place at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang from Aug 12 to 13.

There will be three racing classes where ten of those with a successful racing record will be moved into the elite Super Sporting Category while the Sporting Category will feature 17 racers and the remaining ten in the Promotional
Category. Each category will have two heats with points being awarded for top positions in each heat.

The course in Penang will be a specially-designed 1.65km circuit resembling a racing steering wheel and will run in a clockwise direction with nine turns and a 156m straight.

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“By arming these drivers with racing skills, we hope that they will better exploit the sporting potential of their Toyota Vios racing cars safely and responsibly,” said Ravindran.

During the race weekend, the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) racing festival will also be open to members of the public for free and will host a number of activities including drift shows, celebrity performances, food trucks, test drives and a special showcasing of the upcoming Toyota C-HR.

From the month of July, there’s also a buy and win promotion where the lucky winner can stand a chance to win a trip to the Tokyo Motor Show.

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