Vios one-make race series will use street circuits

By CARSIFU | 4 April 2017


SEPANG: In a collaboration between UMW Toyota and Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, the Vios Challenge one-make race series will be held on the streets of Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

The new race series will feature four races with the inaugural event to be held in August before ending in March, 2018, with 30 race-prepared Toyota Vios 1.5 J vying for the top spot on specially-created street circuits.

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Anyone with a national racing licence issued by the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) is eligible to join the race series costing RM90,000, which includes all necessary parts, engineering and testing for the Vios as well as one FIA-approved racing suit and six training sessions for novice racers.

The Vios will be fitted with parts from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) such as an aerodynamic kit, exhaust system, clutch system, limited-slip differential, suspension system, brake pads, tower bar, lower brace bars, roll cage and Enkei wheels with 195/50 series tyres from Toyo Tires.

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In addition, all drivers will need to undergo a qualifying round to be conducted in May with instructors and race engineers from TRD Japan in attendance.

Among the list of confirmed drivers, most of whom will be making their race debuts, are eight local celebrities of Danny Koo, Geraldine Gan, Venice Min, Shawn Lee, Diana Danielle, Shukri Yahaya, Fattah Amin and Janna Nick.

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The race car will be prepared by Wing Hin Motorsports, under the the supervision of TRD Japan, and will be modified to produce about 10% more power than stock.

The regulations, drivers and race management are subjected to FIA rules and will be under the scrutiny of AAM.

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"The sporty, fun and vibrant character of the Toyota Vios has been understated at times and in line with our 'All About The Drive' campaign, we believe that the Vios Challenge will be able to effectively help us demonstrate these characteristics especially to younger Malaysians," said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran Kurusamy.

More than 370,000 units of the Vios have been sold in Malaysia since its local introduction in 2003.

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