The Motorsports People

13/07/2025

End of a Legacy - Proton R3 shuts down?

That seems to be the word that has been spreading since yesterday. While there's still no official word from Proton just yet about this, multiple posts shared by credible sources seems to point nowhere but that direction.

R3 - the motorsports wing of the national car maker, has been the name representing the brand and local pride at the same time.

Aside from producing some iconic limited-edition cars like the Satria R3, they had also etched themselves in the books with achievements like being crowned as a three-time champion in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, and dominating the Malaysian rally scene for many years.

Not forgetting their circuit conquests, MSS/MCS races were also their playground. With multiple championships on their belt, R3 also became the team to look after in the legendary Sepang 1000km, having won the race on five occasions!

But with this announcement, we're left with a void. Yes, we might still see Proton cars racing locally but without the factory team itself, things will not be the same. No more extensive R&D from them, talent development programs, or the factory support that we used to see.

When Proton made a comeback to Sepang 1000km last year with the S70, we were actually getting a bit hopeful that R3 will relive its glory days, making more appearances at Sepang representing the brand in races like MCS or now known as MTCC. Little that we know that such, would be their last hurrah.

R3 was more than just a racing team, a division. To us, it was an icon. One that'll live in our memories for their determination, achievements, and national pride. Hopefully one day we could see their return to bring this sense of pride back again.

Hopefully.

13/07/2025

Now this isn't just another race for these guys.

Yes, it was a joyous ending with them taking a podium finish after hours of racing, but this time the checkered flag feels sweeter than usual.

During the qualifying session, Viper Niza Racing's Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO went hard into the barriers, severely damaging the chassis leaving them at a bleak prospect of missing the race the following day.

But the team didn't come all the way to Paul Ricard to throw in the towel just like that. In the final moments, they were able to secure a rental to race the next day, but that itself presented its own challenges.

Not only they don't have the time to put any seat time in that car, they were also forced to start dead last. But those are just the challenges they had to brave through and after 12 gruelling hours, the trio of Douglas Khoo, Dominic Ang and Melvin Moh finished the race in 8th overall, and 3rd in the GT3-AM Class!

"To finish in the way that we did was nothing short of being God sent. On one hand we were extremely fortunate to have been able to get hold of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO but we practically had no driving time in the car before the start of the race to familiarize ourselves. We took a cautious approach in the opening few hours of the race and once all the drivers were dialed in, we began picking up the pace. Consistency was also the key factor and we are extremely elated with the result,” said Douglas.

Wonderful job guys, a massive congratulations from us!

05/07/2025

And on European grounds... Viper Niza Racing clinches P3 at Paul Ricard!

05/07/2025

If there’s one thing we like about drifting, it has got to be the community. Everyone has a smile carved on their faces, and they all wanted to have a good time.

Of course, at the same time, slaughtering their rear tires into an oblivion like what they’re up to now at Sepang’s Driving Experience Center for the NDS GP Round 1 / SEADS Round 7!

Featuring our best drifters as well as those from Thailand, Indonesia and the US, Day 1 gave a great idea of the skills behind the wheels and they sure ain’t messing around.

Missed Saturday’s round of action? Don’t worry as these guys will still be sliding sideways today at the same spot, so be sure to make your way here to not miss the smokey Sunday action they have in store for you!

05/07/2025

Hey, hey. It's a P2 for Mitchell and Naquib at Bangsaen. Awesome result guys!

04/07/2025

If Super GT wasn't enough to satisfy your craving for loud, motoring actions, there's more in store for you this weekend at the Perlumbaan Drift KBS and the South East Asia Drift Series!

An affiliate series to Formula Drift, this sideways action takes you again to Sepang, but not at the main circuit as it's going to be held at the Driving Experience Center!

Get ready for door-to-door, rubber-shredding battles this weekend and of course, the public is welcomed to fill the grandstands to hype up this event.

Got nothing planned so far? Block your calendars and we'll see you there!

03/07/2025

75,977 spectators greeted Super GT return, GT500 wildcard entry for 2026!

You heard that right. During those two days, almost 76,000 spectators flocked to Sepang to celebrate the return of the legendary Super GT race to Malaysia, showing us what we've been missing after all these years.

The turnout was almost double the projected numbers by HARO Sports & Entertainment, the rights holder and promoter of the Malaysian leg for Super GT.

“We would like to underline our utmost appreciation to all Malaysian and international fans for their strong support of the race and we are already looking into ways to enhance this experience for fans in 2026,” said HARO Sports & Entertainment Managing Partner Fahrizal Hasan. The Malaysian round of SUPER GT is due to return until 2027 with discussions already underway with the GT Association (GTA) s the organizer, to make Malaysia a permanent overseas race for the series.

Of course, this was more than just a race, it was also a carnival for race fans to enjoy concerts, autoshows and also the chance to drive home the new Toyota Supra!

The Malaysian round of SUPER GT also featured the inaugural running of the GR86 Cup Malaysia aeries and round 2 of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Vios Challenge.

This time around, the Super GT grid saw two Malaysian wildcard entries where Jazeman Jaafar and Adrian D'Silva raced in the GT300 category. But it seems next year would be more interesting as HARO revealed that they have obtained GTA's consent for a GT500 wildcard entry!

Who will it be and what machine they'll be driving, we suppose we'd have to wait and find out!

03/07/2025

“The track is very challenging with slow technical corners and high-speed sweeping turns," said Douglas Khoo, describing the 5.842km Paul Ricard circuit which he will be racing in this weekend with Viper Niza Racing.

In this 12 Hour of Paul Ricard, Douglas will be returning to the circuit after his last visit in 2018, this time piloting the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, paired up with Dominic Ang and Melvin Moh for the assault.

The team is ready to put their setback in Misano behind, which saw a failed power steering pump, an improperly fastened rear left wheel and subsequently a cracked engine oil sump which hampered their strong progress in the year so far.

"While we can try to ensure that the car performs to it maximum potential, sometimes we can’t anticipate when certain parts would fail. That’s all part and parcel of the uncertainty of going racing," he added.

Uncertainties are just an unavoidable part of the racing world, but we wish them all the best for this weekend showdown!

18/06/2025

👀

Michelin 12H MALAYSIA to be held at Sepang International Circuit! 🔥

Malaysia will become a brand new destination for Creventic this December when the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit hosts the opening race of the 2025/2026 Michelin 24H SERIES Middle East.

Officially announced today, the category’s first ever visit to the Far East will take place during the first week of December with two Creventic Track Days preceding testing, practice and qualifying on Friday, 5 December, and the non-stop 12-hour race itself at Sepang on Saturday, 6 December.

WHO IS EXCITED? 🤩

15/06/2025

Tis nothing but a scratch 👌

02/06/2025

Super GT returns to Sepang, stand to win a GR Supra!

We're not sure which one takes the cake now - the return of the legendary Super GT here, or ticket buyers can stand a chance to drive home a spanking new GR Supra!

You read that right. Ticketholders are eligible for the lucky draw when they purchase one of the following tickets with a Mastercard, starting from 1 June to 28 June:
Main Grandstand (RM250)
GT Suite (RM350)
GT Live! Rock Zone (RM500)
GT Club Paddock (RM2,000)
Experience, Ultimate and Dream Packages (starting at RM5,000)

Purchasers of the K1 Grandstand tickets are not eligible for the draw.

The name of the winner will be drawn on stage live in front of spectators attending the post-race GT Live! Concert. SUPER GT Malaysia Festival goers are going to be in for an epic race weekend as a ticket to the race is also a ticket to a festival of epic proportions which will also showcase a Japanese food and cultural extravaganza.

Making all the thrills possible is UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia that has signed to become the Title Sponsor of the SUPER GT Malaysia Festival 2025. The Festival will also host Round 2 of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge Season 8, as well as the GR86 Cup Series.

In the excitement of GT500 and GT300 action in the AUTOBACS SUPER GT main race, will be two Malaysian wildcard entries Jazeman Jaafar and Adrian D’Silva who will lead the country’s challenge in the GT300 Class. Jazeman will partner Chinese-American Kerong Li in the Aston Martin EBM Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO, while D’Sila will spearhead the charge in a second car alongside Earl Bamber.

To purchase your tickets or for more information on SUPER GT Malaysia, visit www.supergtmalaysia.com. Or, catch the SUPER GT Malaysia Festival being held at Sungei Wang Plaza (29 May-1 June, 6-8 June) and at Lot 10 (3-5 June) and participate in fun interactive games to win tickets and attractive merchandises.