Thai, Indonesian bets to represent Asia in Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup Global Finals

MANILA: 20 local qualifiers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and South Korea showcased their outstanding e-motorsports skills to vie for a spot in the Global Finals of Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) GT Cup Asia 2022.

During the Regional Semi-Finals, Andika Rama M. from Indonesia ruled the race with his excellent driving skills as he finished first in Group A, also known as the Group of Death, while defending champion Nathayos Sirigaya from Thailand placed second.

Overall, defending champion Sirigaya won the TGR GT Cup Asia 2022 Regional Championship with 74 points. Rama M. finished in second place with 71 points. Due to the intense competition this year, last year's first runner-up Y.T. Chou was only able to win the final round of the Final race by maintaining his lead position for five laps while battling off Sirigaya, who was racing closely behind him. Sirigaya and Rama M., who finished first and second respectively in this year's Regional Finals, will represent Asia in the TGR GT Cup Global Finals in November, where they will face off against other top e-motorsport racers from across the world.

“When I started the final race in fourth position, I thought it was over at first and didn't think I could win the championship especially after I saw Taj Aiman pulling away and when I was overtaken by Andika Rama in the first half of the race. But I stayed calm and continued to push hard for the win, so I am very happy that I am able to win the championship again. It has been a thrilling experience racing alongside some of the best e-Motorsport racers in Asia. I am grateful to be crowned the TGR GT Cup Asia champion again and I am thankful to Toyota for providing me with a platform to pursue my passion in e-Motorsports. Right now, my focus is to do better in this year's Global Finals,” Sirigaya stated.

The third season of the TGR GT Cup Asia 2022 highlights Toyota's commitment to making e-motorsports accessible across generations by allowing racing enthusiasts from the region to enjoy the thrill and pleasure of racing Toyota GR cars on renowned circuits, in addition to the upgraded lineup of powerful race cars within the new GT 7 platform and newly introduced race conditions. Fans and competitors received a visual feast of unique livery designs from Asia-based artists like Indian graphic designer Muhammed Sajid and Filipino illustrator and 3D artist Nez Yumul. These designs were inspired by local cultures.

“We are once again heartened by the immense support for the third edition of the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup Asia. All racers displayed impeccable skills and put up a good fight on the grueling race tracks. We hope that e-motorsports fans were thoroughly entertained, especially with the improved line-up of cars and race conditions as well as the myriad of livery designs that was displayed during the competition. Well done to all racers and we wish N. Sirigaya and A. Rama M. all the best in the Global Finals,” Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Acting Vice President Giri Venkatesh said.

Sirigaya and Rama M. will compete as representatives of Asia at the TGR GT Global Finals in November against some of the top e-motorsport racers in the world.

The quest for the regional championship began with a Regional Semi-Finals Race, in which 20 local qualifiers battled on the Fuji International Speedway in GR Yaris race cars in their assigned groups. The Fuji International Speedway circuit race was a serious challenger in Group A for this year's regional championship. Rama M. took the lead early on and ultimately won the race, closely followed by Sirigaya in second place. Iqbal Suji from Malaysia had the early advantage in Group B, but he was unable to maintain it as Pradana Yogatama from Indonesia overtook him on the first turn of lap 9. The latter ended up winning Group B, followed by Suji in second and Thanaphat Pungphat from Thailand in third. Taj Aiman from Malaysia took first place in Group C.

The top five racers from each group in the semi-final round advanced to the final race, which comprised three exhilarating racetracks which further tested the racers' driving skills.

The top 15 finalists competed in the final race over three rounds, beginning with the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya in the GR Supra 20 for round one, moving on to a wet weather race at the Nurburgring GP in the GR Supra Race car for round two, and concluding in the iconic Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe with the powerful 952-horsepower TS GR010 Hypercar in round three. In round one, Sirigaya put on an amazing drive, taking the lead on lap three when Moreno Pratama from Indonesia made a blunder. Sirigaya held on for the victory in round one, with Aiman and Pratama coming in second and third, respectively. Despite starting at the front of the grid, Pratama was unable to gain a spot on the podium.

Suji and Sirigaya fought hard for first place on the final lap of the second round, while Rama M. and Aiman battled it out for third. Wet weather expert Suji was under constant pressure from Sirigaya throughout the race, but he was able to hold him off and come out on top. 

In the final round, Chou found himself back in the leading position to claim victory for the final race while Sirigaya fought hard to finish third in the final lap, securing his championship title and and pipping second place Rama M to the title by just three points.

Just like in 2021, the top three country teams and the top three racers were given recognition. Team Malaysia received the winning honor with 120 points. Team Indonesia came in second with 110 points, and Team Thailand came in third with 104 points.

Photo from Toyota Motor Asia Pacific

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