The champions, for each of the Vios Challenge categories of Sporting, Super Sporting and Promotional, are still up for grabs until the chequered flag falls.
The battles in the Sporting and Super Sporting classes will be the most keenly watched with numerous drivers contending for bragging rights and a shot at winning a brand new Toyota Vios offered for each category.
Nineteen-year- old sensation Brendan Anthony who did not join the first race in Batu Kawan, Penang has consistently chalked up points in his subsequent races and is now just four points behind the sporting class championship leader and namesake Brendon Lim.
Rally sensation Kenneth Koh, who managed to stay out of trouble in the third Vios Challenge event held in Medini City, Johor in January, has scored two useful podium finishes and is now 12 points below the leader’s tally of 75 points.
With 20 points awarded for a win, Koh has every chance of snatching the trophy from Anthony and Lim this weekend.
In the Super Sporting Class, Tengku Djan survived various incidents in both races at Medini City, Johor to hold a slender four-point lead in the championship over nemesis William Ho, who was managed to enjoy a good run in Johor - coming away with one win and a third place finish to move him up to second with 72 points.
Third in the class is M7 Racing Team’s Syafiq Ali who shined in Johor to now sit 16 points adrift from Djan.
In the Promotional Class, beatboxer Shawn Lee has chalked up wins in almost every race except for one in MAEPS and while he currently enjoys a commanding lead in the series, his championship crown could still be usurped by Shukri Yahaya trailing 18 points behind.
From Left: Lee and Shukri
A non-finish by Lee in any of the final races by the beatboxer would easily level any advantage he currently
enjoys.
Despite facing less pressure to prove their worth as racing drivers, celebrities including Danny Koo, Diana Danielle, Fattah Amin, Geraldine Gan, Janna Nick, Shukri and Venice Min have all shown renewed determination in Johor.
Their on-track challenges have shown no lack of quality and can be expected to spoil the party for Shawn.
“The essence of one-make racing has been reflected in the results we see today in the Vios Challenge. Newcomers, privateers and seasoned professionals have all had their share of the spoils in the winner’s circle, providing motor racing fans with some of the best high-quality racing we’ve seen in the country,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.
Entrance to the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival’s Season 1 Finale remains free and promises lots of activities, food, games and prizes throughout the weekend.
Fans of the hit TV series 'My Coffee Prince' with leading characters Fattah Amin, Janna Nick and Diana Danielle will be joined by Syafiq Ahmad and Faez Azemi for a meet and greet session with the fans on stage during this weekend's festival
Children will be treated to an appearance by Didi and Friends mascots including Pak Atan, while acting hopefuls can come and participate in the open auditions that will be conducted at the Astro booth for upcoming TV dramas.
Also, there will be the Toyota car showroom (with test drive sessions) where all the latest vehicles from the Japanese carmaker including the all-new C-HR will be on display, including the latest Hilux L-Edition, updated Sienta V, Innova X and Avanza X among others.
From left: UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman and Promotional Class racer Akio Takeyama with Shukri
There will also be an obstacle course set up in the test drive section for the Hilux and Fortuner, while Toyota’s Topmark will be available to conduct an instant valuation of visitors’ cars for those interested to trade-in on the spot.
World Champion Japanese drifters of Masato Kawabata and Hideyuki Fujino will be looking to thrill the crowds with their drift show in a pair of Toyota 86 drift cars courtesy of sponsors Toyo Tires.
For food lovers, the festival promises up to 18 food and drink vendors with a wide variety of offerings ranging from mee racun to lontong goreng, coconut shakes, kebabs and takoyaki selected from among the top food trucks and stalls in the city.
Prior to the racing activities, the track will be open for an hour on both Saturday and Sunday mornings for a Fun Run and Fun Ride respectively.
These sessions have been organized to allow approximately 700 registered participants to experience running and cycling on the street-based race track as part of Toyota’s efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“I believe that the Vios Challenge has successfully made motorsports more accessible to Malaysian fans and judging from the enthusiastic crowds who have come to the events and the great vibes they share, one-make racing remains a positive platform for us to continue developing and appealing as a wholesome and exciting family activity,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.
