The drivers took to the newly resurfaced 1.99km street circuit that featured 17 corners, incorporating uphill and downhill stretches, for some close-quarters racing for all three categories of Promotional, Sporting and Super Sporting.
To get the action rolling were the semi-professional racers of the Sporting category who lined up on the grid to soak up the midday heat.
Sitting in second place, Kenneth Koh in car 28 for Panglima City Racing Team, managed to get off the line a little more quickly to put Tedco Racing's car 86 of Brendon Lim Boon Yew, between him and Kulim Top Wheel's car 10 of third-place sitter Datuk Ken Foo - turning it into a three-way drag race down to the first right-hander.
The trio pushed hard during the 18-lap race and maintained their positions until the chequered flag came down allowing Koh to take first place, Lim in second and Foo in third.
Damage to the 26-year old's car was extensive and was unfortunately irreparable for the race weekend - effectively sidlinging him to the stands.
Lee qualified in pole-position last year and went on to win the first race of MAEPS, but during the second race the next day, he had put himself out of contention by crashing at the very same corner.
Shukri finished second overall in last season's Promotional category and was promoted to the Sporting category together with Lee.
The second race of the day brought out the professional drivers of the Super Sporting category and as the red lights went out, ST Wangan Racing Team's car 21 of pole-sitter Boy Wong managed to keep his place, through to the finish line.
Just over half a second later, Kegani Racing's car 38 of William Ho - who practically badgered Wong from start to finish, crossed the line in second, followed by Dream Chaser's car 91 of Brendan Paul Anthony who took third place six seconds later.
As the skies cleared up for the sun to shine through in the late afternoon, it was time for the final race of the day as the Promotional category racers took their positions on the grid.
Television host, presenter and pole-sitter Nabil Ahmad in car 83, took command all the way to his first win of the season to finish almost two seconds ahead of actress car 15 of Diana Danielle in second and was followed closely by 20-year old singer Aiman Tino in car 77 who took third.
Nabil, the host of Astro Gegar Vaganza, was adamant in not letting Diana overtake him even though he somehow cracked a wheel during the race, but thankfully didn't cause of puncture, and was able to pace himself until the chequered flag.
Qualifying second fastest, Diana took up the challenge to vye for the top spot, while fending off pressure from Aiman who managed to muscle his way up from seventh into third by the first corner.
Completing the top five were Akim Ahmad and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd deputy chairman Akio Takeyama, while Khai Bahar, Janna Nick and Nabila Razali crossed the line in sixth, seventh and eighth position respectively.
The two-day Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival showcases a multitude of activities from the preview and public test drive of the all-new Toyota Rush, a 1.5-litre compact sports utility vehicle (SUV), test drives of existing model line-up, promotions and celebrity performances to thrilling race action on a purpose-built street circuit by competing racers.
The race series concluded its first round of the season against the backdrop of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu (Day 1 and Day 2) in August and following the conclusion of Round 2 at MAEPS, the festival is scheduled to travel to the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang in February 2019 for Round 3; with the finale being contested at the Sepang International Circuit in April 2019 for Round 4.
Stay tuned for Day 2 of racing!
