Vios Challenge Season 3 ends early
UMW Toyota Motor, the main organiser of the Toyota Vios Challenge one-make race series, has officially ended Season 3 without the final round at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid19.
In doing so, drivers within their respective race classes have had their points and standings finalised at the third round. Season 3 was planned with four rounds at various locations around the country. The finale of the Vios Challenge, held in conjunction with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival, was planned from April 17 to 19.
“Season 3 had again demonstrated this spirit of competition, but inevitably the final race must yield to an even greater agenda which is to place national interest and public safety ahead of all other matters,” said Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia chief motorsports officer and UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.
Takeyama said the final results were made after careful deliberation in adherence to sporting regulations and in discussion with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia.
The premature end of the third race season sees Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel (Team 23) becoming the champion with 90 points in the Super Sporting Class for professional drivers - 11 points ahead of second-place winner Mark Darwin of Laser Motor Racing.
Tengku Djan Ley’s win this season marks his second championship title after having emerged the victor at the inaugural season one of the race series on Mar 24, 2018.
During the second season, he took a break from racing by assuming managerial duties of the race team.
“Competing in a one-make race series where you are limited to only your driving skills, there’s only so much you can do in the company of so many experienced and talented elite drivers on the grid and I am fortunate enough to have finished every race consistently in the points,” said Tengku Djan Ley.
In the Sporting Class for amateur drivers, it was 16-year-old Hayden Haikal who takes the win to become the youngest champion in the series while musician and television personality Shawn Lee emerged the champion within the Promotional class for celebrity racers.
UMW Toyota Motor promises more exciting fixtures to come with additional racing programmes for Season 4.
“I would like to convey our highest appreciation to all the participating teams, drivers, dealers, fans, spectators, sponsors and officials who have been instrumental in making this series a success,” said its president Ravindran K.