The GR GT Cup Malaysia – the country’s most lucrative motor racing e-sports series – attracted more than 1,000 competitive simulator racers, as well as 2,000 first-timers. For the seventh edition in 2024, the event had a total prize purse of RM120,500 with the Grand Prize for the fastest sim racer being RM25,000.
Taj Izrin Taj Madira continued his dominance in the event and added a fourth champion title to his record after completing the thrilling third race finale which was run on the famous Circuit de la Sarthe course that is used for the annual 24-hour Le Mans endurance race.
The 26-year old had seemed to be down on luck this year as he dropped to the back of the field in the 30-minute race but staged a comeback to cross the finish line first. He accumulated a total of 59 points in 3 Grand Final races, 7 points ahead of second-placed Chong Kai Chang and 2022 winner Muhammad Iqbal Suji who had a total of 50 points to take third place.
“I took a huge gamble and decided to not pit for a tyre change when it started to rain after just 2 laps and it paid off,” said Taj Izrin, who was in a Toyota GR010 Hybrid prototype racing car, the same type of car used by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Team in world endurance championship events.
“I stayed out on full slicks and tried to gain track position as the others – including the races leaders – pitted for a change of intermediate tyres. That eventually turned the entire race around for me,” he said.
For 30-year old Chong, second place was an improvement over his third position last year getting RM15,000. “My friends and I spent a lot of time practicing and experimenting with different race strategies. This was largely due to an update the game received a few days prior to the Grand Final which enhanced the dynamic physics of the cars. I felt it was too risky to stay on the track with the slicks, and decided to change to intermediate tyres, and that’s how the rest of the race went,” said Chong.
Muhammad Iqbal was not satisfied with his result and like the others (except Taj Izrin Aiman) felt he made one pit stop too many, losing time. “I thought I had it under control but it is what it is,” said the medical graduate who ended fifth in the final race, but third with total points.
The GR GT Cup was not held at a shopping centre this year and instead run at the Sunway University Campus. In addition to the Grand Finals, there was also a special race for 10 students who were the fastest in the GR GT Cup Campus Tour at educational institutions such as Sunway University, USM Nibong Tebal, St. Michael’s Institution, MMU, INTI International university, Asia Pacific University, UKM and UiTM Pasir Gudang. In total, over 2,200 students took part in the qualifiers.
It has been clear that sim racing can be a very advantageous for those who intend to transition to real-world racing. Today’s simulators, such as the Playstation Gran Turismo used for the GR GT Cup, not only have cars with ultra realistic behaviour but also many of the circuits are based on those in the real world.
Many of the rookies in the GR Vios Challenge over the years have started off in sim racing and say it helped them prepare for real-world racing. Some have an opportunity to join the GAZOO Racing Young Driver Development program where they receive training and racing cars.
“In 7 seasons organising the GR GT Cup Malaysia, the competition has grown exponentially intense. Every year, the standards of driving and the level of racecraft have shown higher standards from the finalists and set even higher benchmarks for future aspirants,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Datuk Ravindran K.
“This is precisely what we at Toyota had hoped to accomplish and I am pleased that we have been able to make an impactful contribution to Malaysian motorsports, both in the virtual realm and even more so on the racetrack with the GR Vios Challenge and GR Young Driver Development Program,” he added.
As in previous years, the top three drivers will also represent Malaysia in the GR GT Cup Asia. The winner of this regional event will have a chance to represent Asia in the World Finals later in the year.