Tag Archives: PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit

GAC GS3 Emzoom proves its sporty character with 2:57 lap at Sepang

The GAC GS3 Emzoom demonstrated its sporty driving character, turbocharged performance, and dynamic handling with a lap time of 2 minutes 57 seconds at Sepang International Circuit, in a recent media program.

The drive was part of the Emzoom Defensive Drive programme under the theme “Built to Outdrive.”

The Sepang session brought together media practitioners from Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as GAC distributors.

Continental as Official Tyre Partner

The Emzoom Defensive Drive was supported by Continental as the official tyre partner.

As a premium German-engineered tyre brand, Continental shares GAC’s commitment to performance, safety, and driving confidence, making it an ideal partner for the experience.

Special Driving Modules

Throughout the programme, participants were taken through several specially designed driving modules to showcase the GS3 Emzoom’s capabilities in various scenarios.

The challenges included:

  • Slalom runs that highlighted the SUV’s agility through rapid direction changes
  • Emergency braking & obstacle avoidance exercises that demonstrated braking confidence and vehicle stability during sudden manoeuvres
  • Handling and lane-change drills that allowed participants to feel the dynamic balance and electronic stability control

As a finale, participants were given the opportunity to experience a controlled convoy lap around Sepang to feel the GS3 Emzoom’s high-speed stability and driving confidence.

A hot lap session was also conducted by a professional racing instructor, who recorded a time of 2 minutes 57 seconds on the 5.543 km circuit.

A sub-three-minute lap time proved that the GS3 Emzoom offers a balanced package of turbo performance, nimble handling, high-speed stability, and driver confidence.

GS3 Emzoom Specifications at a Glance

This B-segment SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 177 PS and 270 Nm, paired with a 7-speed DCT.

Acceleration from 0–100 km/h takes 8 seconds, with a top speed of 190 km/h.

Beneath its sharp, sporty appearance, the GS3 Emzoom offers everyday practicality with features including:

  • Dual-screen digital cockpit
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • 360-degree surround-view camera
  • Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
  • Automatic Parking Assist (APA)

The GS3 Emzoom is priced from RM116,800 for the Exclusive variant, and RM126,800 for the Premium R variant, with rebates of up to RM24,500 available.

EV Track Day returns to PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit on June 6

The country’s largest EV Track Day is set to electrify the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit on June 6, 2026.

The event will gather a community of electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts from across Malaysia, running from 5:45 PM until midnight.

Utilizing the full 5.543 km layout of Sepang, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the experience of driving EVs in a real racing environment.

Among the main attractions of this year’s program:

  • Open Track Session – Driving EVs on the full circuit, including technical corners.
  • Parade Lap Session – A more relaxed driving experience.
  • Time Attack Session – Competing to find the fastest EV on the track.
  • Taxi Ride Session – Experience the performance of high-powered EVs with professional drivers.

EV owners looking to enhance their track driving skills can also access professional coaching services, available upon request.

To ensure the smooth running of the event, DC chargers will be provided in the paddock area through cooperation with several local charging providers, allowing participants to maximize their time on the track without worrying about battery life.

A free 12V battery check will also be offered, including an upgrade option to a more heat-resistant sodium-ion battery.

The previous edition captured attention as over 30 EVs showcased the true capabilities of electric machines on the track, including high-performance models that can rival conventional sports cars.

Volvo Car Malaysia hosts Selamat Driving Experience in Sepang on May 16-17

Volvo Car Malaysia is set to host the Selamat Driving Experience at the Driving Experience Center, Sepang Circuit on May 16-17.

This event is part of the “Selamat” campaign launched by VCM in January 2026.

The campaign aims to foster a culture of road safety and prioritize safety as a major criterion in vehicle selection.

According to Patricia Yaw, Sales and Marketing Director of VCM, “The Selamat Driving Experience is designed to raise awareness among participants to reassess their habits on the road.

She further explained that through an immersive driving simulation, participants can understand the negative effects that arise from careless attitudes.

Limited Spaces Available

Participation is limited to 192 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the two days, participants will experience facing emergency situations in a safe and controlled environment.

They will also have the opportunity to test Volvo’s advanced safety features, including Safe Space Technology that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The registration fees are as follows:

  • Volvo Owners – RM150
  • Non-Volvo Owners – RM300
  • Non-participants in driving – RM100

Each Volvo car owner is allowed to use their registered VIN only once.

Parents are advised not to bring children under the age of 18 for safety reasons.

Registration can be completed at volvocarmalaysia.com/selamat-driving-experience.

Tickets for the 2026 Autobacs Super GT now on sale – prices starting at RM80

Tickets for the 2026 Autobacs Super GT at the Sepang International Circuit (June 19–21) are now available for purchase.

Early-bird promotions offer grandstand tickets for K1 at RM80 (regular price RM100) and main grandstand tickets for RM200 (regular price RM250).

Premium Access for 2026 Super GT

More premium options are also available:

  • GT Club Suite: RM450 per person (up to RM30,000 for an exclusive suite for 70 people)
  • GT Paddock Club: RM2,000
  • Experience Package: RM5,000
  • Dream Package (for 2 people): RM15,000
  • VVIP Package (for 2 people): RM50,000

Holders of the GT Club Suite and GT Suite will gain access to a pit lane walk, while the GT Paddock Club will also enjoy a grid walk.

The Experience Package enhances the Circuit Safari experience with a GT car. The Dream and VVIP Packages include all privileges, including a taxi ride and an exclusive pit tour.

In addition to the official races, fans will also be treated to the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge and the inaugural ASEAN GR86 Cup.

Not to be missed is the Nihon Matsuri festival, featuring Japanese food and cultural celebrations, as well as the ALEPS Ekiden Night Run event on June 20.

Tickets can be purchased through:

2025 Super GT attracted 75,977 fans

According to Fahrizal Hasan, Managing Partner at HARO Sports & Entertainment, the 2025 Autobacs Super GT successfully drew 75,977 fans and race spectators throughout the weekend.

“Our goal is to make this event more exciting this year and in the years to come.”

Vios Challenge: third round this weekend will be decisive

The third round of the Vios Challenge will take place at the PETRONAS International Circuit (SIC) from August 8 to 10.

Taking place concurrently with the 2025 Malaysian Touring Car Championship, this race will be decisive for the final outcomes of the Vios Challenge across three categories: Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie.

So far, the overall points standings remain tight among the top three drivers in each category.

In the Super Sporting class, fierce competition is expected between 2023 champion Mitchell Cheah (Team Prima Pearl SP Selatan), who is currently in first place with 83 points, and Freddie Ang (Telagamas Toyota), who has 81 points, followed by Ady Rahimy (Laser Motor Racing) with 72 points.

In the Sporting category, Jwan Hii (Hong Kuat X Armada KK Racing) holds a comfortable lead with 85 points, ahead of Elson Lew (BAE Racing) with 76 points and Varunchit Wattanathanakun (RUK Team Nexzter PMC) with 62 points.

The Rookie class features intense competition between Aydan Khaliq and Rahul Dev, who are currently at the top with 94 and 93 points, respectively.

Third place is held by Harkiesh Geeva with 72 points, followed by Ian James with 71 points, and the only female driver in the category, Genevieve Ooi, with 66 points.

Similar to the second round, all three classes of the Vios Challenge will compete in a combined one-hour semi-endurance race around the full 5.543 km circuit.

2025 Super GT Malaysia: UMWT and TGR Malaysia announced as title sponsors

UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia will be the main sponsors for the 2025 Super GT Malaysia Festival this year.

This announcement was officially made by Haro Sports & Entertainment, the rights holder and promoter for the Autobacs Super GT round in Malaysia, recently.

In addition to the main races featuring the GT300 and GT500 classes, the Sepang Circuit will also host the single-brand GR86 Cup race and the second round of the 2025 eighth season of the Vios Challenge.

The 2025 Super GT Malaysia Festival also welcomes Bridgestone as the Official Tire Supplier for the opening round of the GR86 Cup Malaysia Series.

Moreover, visitors to the Festival Super GT Malaysia will have the opportunity to participate in Japanese cultural and food events, known as Nihon Matsuri, as well as enjoy the post-race concert GT Live!, featuring a variety of renowned artists.

Among the performers are the trio Tenxi, Naykilla & Jemsii (TNJ), KLP48, Fareed K-Clique, Sabhi Saddi, and Kaka Azraff.

According to Fahrizal Hasan, Partner Manager of Haro Sports & Entertainment, “The Festival Super GT Malaysia is not just a race. It is an event to entertain everyone, from automotive exhibitions to Japanese cultural displays, JDM car gatherings, and the GT Live! concert!”

Tickets are now available for purchase on the website www.supergtmalaysia.com, with the following details:

  • K1 Grandstand – RM100 (promotional price RM80)
  • Main Grandstand – RM250 (promotional price RM200)
  • GT Suite – RM350
  • GT Live! Rock Zone – RM500
  • GT Club Paddock – RM2,000

GR86 one-make race is set to shake up Sepang this June

This June will witness the debut of the GR86 Cup Malaysia Series, featuring Toyota GR86 sports cars.

Organized by Haro Sports and Entertainment Sdn Bhd, the GR86 Cup Malaysia Series will make its inaugural appearance as a support race during the third round of the Super GT 2025, which will take place from June 26 to 28.

A total of 30 Toyota GR86 Cup vehicles will compete in three race rounds scheduled for this year.

The second round of the GR86 Cup will be held concurrently with the 300 km endurance race of the Malaysia Championship Series, followed by the final round, which will consist of 86 laps. All three rounds of the GR86 Cup will be held at the Sepang Circuit.

Only 30 units of the GR86 Cup will be imported from Japan (available on a first-come, first-served basis), with all units built in accordance with the SP1 category regulations of the Malaysia Championship Series 2025.

Each unit is priced at RM208,315, including sales tax and motorsport AP.

Here are the specifications of the Toyota GR86 Cup racing vehicle that will be used in the race:

– 2.4-liter boxer engine
– 228 hp @ 7,000 rpm, Torque: 250 Nm @ 3,700 rpm
– Six-speed manual transmission


– Full Fujitsubo exhaust system
– Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD)
– Cusco single-plate clutch
– Transmission cooling system


– Advics four-piston aluminum brake calipers at the front, two-piston calipers at the rear
– Two-piece brake rotors: 345 x 30 mm at the front, 330 x 26 mm at the rear
– KW Racing race shock absorbers
– TRD suspension bushings
– Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS 225/45R17 tires
– Raxer RP10X 17-inch forged alloy wheels


– Custom-designed safety cage, compliant with JAF “Speed B” and “Speed SA” standards
– Bride ZETA bucket seats
– Six-point safety harness compatible with HANS equipment
– Fire extinguishing system

For more information, please contact the following:

Fahrizal Hasan (fahrizal@haro.my) – 012-905 9619
Raja Zaini (raja@haro.my) – 019-367 5667
Yamin Shafie (yamin@haro.my) – 012-615 1650

Autobacs Super GT, Nihon Matsuri to enliven Sepang Circuit this June

The Autobacs Super GT 2025 racing event, set to take place on June 27 and 28, will provide something special for fans of Japanese culture.

In collaboration with the annual Nihon Matsuri event, Autobacs Super GT 2025 in Malaysia will not only showcase racing action but also feature a cultural and food festival celebrating Japan.

Interestingly, that weekend will also witness the opening round of the 2025 GR86 Cup Series Malaysia, involving 30 racing vehicles from the GR86 category.

According to Fahrizal Hasan, Managing Partner at HARO Sports & Entertainment, “Super GT continues to be recognized for its carnival-like atmosphere. It is one of the international events that allows fans to get close to drivers, teams, and their favorite vehicles.”

“This year, the Super GT Malaysia Festival 2025 will present an exciting celebration themed around Japanese culture.”

A variety of activities have been organized for visitors, including an open pit session, pit walks, circuit safaris, and an exhibition featuring various booths and souvenir sales.

Tickets for the Autobacs Super GT 2025 Malaysia round went on sale on February 27.

For a limited time, purchasers can obtain tickets priced at RM80 for the K1 Grandstand, RM200 for the Main Grandstand, and RM2,000 for the GT Club Paddock Hospitality lounge at www.supergtmalaysia.com.

The opening round of Super GT 2025 will take place at Okayama International Circuit on April 13, followed by the second round at Fuji Speedway on May 4, and the third round in Malaysia on June 27-28.

The fifth round will be held at Suzuka Circuit on August 24, followed by Sportsland Sugo on September 21, and Autopolis International Racing Course on October 19, with the final round at Mobility Resort Motegi on November 2.

Super GT features a lineup of drivers and manufacturers from Japan (Nissan, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru) competing in the GT500 and GT300 classes, alongside renowned manufacturers from Continental such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and BMW.

Malaysia remains the only race location outside of Japan for the 2025 racing season, after Super GT was last held in Thailand in 2019.

Final round of the Vios Challenge season 7 this weekend

Whether we realize it or not, the seventh season of the Vios Challenge, organized by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is now nearing its conclusion this weekend.

The seventh season of the Vios Challenge is proving to be more challenging and unpredictable with the introduction of the fourth generation Vios racing vehicle, driven by 34 racers across three different categories: Super Sporting, Sporting, and Rookie.

Starting in August of last year, the seventh season of the Vios Challenge features three rounds and six individual races, offering a total prize pool of RM630,000.

The Super Sporting class will see an intense battle among notable racers such as Naquib Azlan (Axle Sport), defending champion Mitchel Cheah (Prima TD Racing), Freddie Ang (Telagamas), Amer Harris (Laser Motor Racing), and Hayden Haikal (TD Racing).

The overall champion will take home a prize of RM80,000, followed by RM60,000 for second place and RM40,000 for third.

In the Sporting class, several contenders are poised to be crowned champions, including Elson Lew (BAE Racing by ES Young), Kenneth Koh (PCM Group Racing), and Shafiq Samsudin (Race Rally KL).

This category offers cash prizes of RM60,000, RM40,000, and RM20,000 for the champion, runner-up, and third place winner, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Rookie class, featuring young drivers under the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program, has seen fierce competition among Adam Mikail (18 years old), who has recorded three victories, Brandon Ho (22 years old), who has achieved four podium finishes, and Raja Amirul Syauqat (21 years old), who secured second and third place in the last two races.

The final racing event of the seventh season of the Vios Challenge will take place at the PETRONAS Malaysia International Circuit and will be a closed event, but it will be broadcast live across all UMW Toyota Motor’s social media platforms.

In addition to the racing event, Toyota Malaysia will also introduce three high-performance models: the GR Corolla facelift, Corolla GR Sport, and GR Yaris facelift.

F1 teams excited to return to Sepang Circuit – MAM President

The last time the Sepang International Circuit hosted the prestigious sport of Formula One was in 2017 since its introduction to the country in 1999.

Despite not being revved up by the roar of F1 engines for quite some time, the circuit still remains a favorite among some drivers, besides being a common mention on social media every time the name Sepang International Circuit is brought up.

Berita Harian reported that the President of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, revealed that the sport could be reintroduced at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, but emphasized that something fresher needs to be introduced.

Among the changes that could be made is to host races at night.

He also revealed that several F1 teams currently competing are excited at the prospect of the race being brought back to the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit.

“Perhaps if we have the opportunity to be organizers once again, we need to make a difference. F1 is no longer just about watching 20 cars race on the track, it is more than that now.

“We need complementary events to enhance the Grand Prix races both on the track and in the capital during race week. Conferences and concerts have now become part of the F1 race week.

“We could also organize races at night using lighting and it would be cooler. Bahrain has already done this from day races to night races and it proves that it is not impossible to do.”

However, Mokhzani emphasized that reorganizing F1 in Malaysia is not an easy task as it requires very high costs.

Super GT Race returns to shake up Sepang Circuit in 2025

Perhaps not many are aware, but Malaysia was once the official location for the Super GT race, starting from 2000 and ending in 2013.

After 11 years of silence, the Super GT race is set to return and shake up the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit for three seasons, from 2025 to 2027.

In relation to this, a signing ceremony for the agreement took place this afternoon between HARO Sports & Entertainment as the rights holder and promoter for the Malaysian leg of Super GT and GT Association (GTA) as the rights holder for Super GT.

The agreement was signed by Fahrizal Hasan (HARO Sports & Entertainment) and Masaaki Bandoh (President & CEO of GTA), and witnessed by YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.

Also present at the signing event were Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, and S. N. Nanthan, Secretary General of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).


Malaysia remains the only location outside of Japan for the 2025 racing season, after the last Super GT race outside Japan was held in Thailand in 2019.

Here are the locations for the Autobacs Super GT 2025 races:

Opening Round (April 12-13) – Okayama International Circuit
Second Round (May 3-4) – Fuji Speedway
Third Round (June 27-28) – PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit
Fourth Round (August 2-3) – Fuji Speedway
Fifth Round (August 23-24) – Suzuka Circuit
Sixth Round (September 20-21) – Sportsland Sugo
Seventh Round (October 18-19) – Autopolis International Racing Course
Eighth Round (November 1-2) – Mobility Resort Motegi

Super GT consists of two main classes, namely GT500 featuring manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, while the GT300 class comprises Subaru and Lexus participants.

This prestigious race was supposed to make a comeback in 2020, but it had to be canceled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Interestingly, the Super GT teams and drivers describe the Malaysian rounds as a unique and quite challenging experience in track racing due to the extreme heat and unpredictable heavy rains, unlike the usual conditions experienced in Japan.

Super GT 2025 will bring various attractions for its fans, such as Race Ambassadors, open pit sessions, pit walks, grid walks, and the Circuit Safari, where fans have the opportunity to experience the action on the track up close.