Tag Archives: sim racing

NEWS

2026 Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia: Registration now open, new women’s category introduced

Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance has announced the return of the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia for its third edition this year.

Registration opened on March 13, 2026, on the website pescm.porsche.com.my.

New Category Introduced Specifically for Women

In 2026, the PESCM will introduce a new category for female participants aged 10 to 23. This initiative provides an opportunity for those interested in experiencing racing in a more inclusive environment.

The categories contested in PESCM 2026 are:

  • Junior Dreamers: Ages 10-14
  • Young Dreamers: Ages 15-17
  • Driven Dreamers: Ages 18-23
  • Female Dreamers: Ages 10-23

Actual Race Format

PESCM emulates the actual race format of the Porsche Carrera Cup, using the 911 GT3 Cup racing vehicle.

With standardized settings, each participant must rely on their skills, focus, and strategy to win.

PESCM 2026 Qualification Rounds

PESCM 2026 will utilize the Assetto Corsa platform, featuring three knockout rounds with various formats. Each participant must choose the nearest Porsche Centre, which will determine the location for Qualification Round 2.

Qualification Round 1 will take place at the following three locations:

  • Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur (April 18-19, 2026)
  • The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru (April 25-26, 2026)
  • Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang (May 2-3, 2026)

The top 30 racers from each category and location will advance to Qualification Round 2 at Porsche Centres nationwide. The top 10 fastest racers from each Porsche Centre will progress to Qualification Round 3 at Pavilion Bukit Jalil on July 4-5, 2026.

Final Round at Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Sepang Circuit

The final 10 participants from Qualification Round 3 will compete on the grand stage during the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, held at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit on August 22-23, 2026.

This final round coincides with the weekend of the actual race, creating a more epic experience for participants.

This year’s championship will also feature the inspiring story of Naquib Azlan, the 2025 Driven Dreamers champion, who is now racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

It proves that the journey from simulator to real racetrack can indeed become a reality.

NEWS

Nabil Azlan crowned champion in the Pro Class of the 2025 Toyota GR Malaysia eRacing Championship

The 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia eRacing Championship concluded last weekend, showcasing remarkable performances from the country’s top simulation racers vying for a total cash prize of RM123,000.

Organized by UMW Toyota Motor, this championship also serves as a platform to discover the new generation of national racers.

There are two main categories: the Pro Championship, featuring elite simulation racers, and the Campus Tour, an initiative that brings professional-grade simulators to local universities to scout for new talent.

After three intense races in the final round, which was also the fourth and fifth rounds of the championship, siblings Nabil and Naquib Azlan emerged as the champion and overall runner-up in the Pro Class.

Meanwhile, Taj Izrin Aiman secured third place, successfully defending his GT title.

Twenty-six-year-old Taj Aiman will represent Malaysia at the Toyota GR Asia eSports GT Championship in Bangkok this November, joined by Iqbal Suji in second place and Chong Kai Chang in third.

This year, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia eRacing Championship featured a multi-platform format, including Assetto Corsa, RaceRoom, iRacing, and Gran Turismo 7.

Each platform showcased unique handling dynamics, compelling racers to adapt to various racing conditions, closely resembling international league standards.

This new format also saw 35 percent of the semi-final participants consisting of newcomers, many of whom have prior experience in sim racing.

According to Nabil, who took home a prize of RM25,000, “This year’s championship format is very different; it is not only better but also more challenging, forcing us to learn and adapt.

“Each platform tests various aspects of driving techniques and racing strategies. Sim racing has taught me to become a better and more competitive racer,” he added.

Additionally, the final race of the Campus Tour featured the ten fastest participants from each university, with Randy Goh from INTI Subang emerging as the champion.

Moreover, a Media Exhibition Race involved ten media practitioners who experienced the thrill of using professional simulators for the first time.

In the meantime, Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia has also announced the opening of registrations for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Young Talent Development program for the 2026 intake.

Open to simulation racers and kart racers aged between 16 and 22, the program offers a comprehensive training package under the guidance of professional mentors.

It has proven to be a platform that has produced many renowned racers in Malaysia.

Those interested can register at the website tyt.my/rookiesignup2026 before the application deadline on October 26, 2025.

NEWS

Porsche Malaysia attracts interest of young enthusiasts in simulation racing

Porsche Malaysia, through Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), recently organized the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2024 competition in conjunction with the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) event to be held at the Sepang International Circuit next month.

The competition is open to all Malaysian citizens and aims to identify the top 10 simulation racers through the fastest lap time format.

There are three age categories being contested: 10-14 years, 15-17 years, and 18 years and above, where each participant is given the opportunity to pilot the 911 GT3 Cup race car generation 992 using the Assetto Corsa platform.

The first qualifying round took place earlier, where only the top 30 fastest racers were selected based on a five-lap time-trial format at the Buriram Circuit.

The second qualifying round recently took place at the Porsche Centre Ara Damansara on 27-28 July, where each participant received special racing guidance followed by a 20-minute practice session at the Suzuka Circuit.

The 10 finalists with the fastest lap times will advance to the final stage at the Sepang International Circuit on 9-11 August, concurrently with the PCCA 2024 race on the same dates.

There, all participants will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Sepang Circuit during a 30-minute free practice session, before attempting to secure pole position in a 15-minute qualifying session and the chance to earn an additional 10 race points for the overall standings.

We at Engear.tv also had the opportunity to participate in the second qualifying session recently held at the Porsche Centre Ara Damansara.

Before being allowed to ‘drive’, we were taken through a simulation racing guidance class by young racer Mika Hakimi, covering driving techniques to be applied on the Suzuka Circuit.

Additionally, participants were taught how to approach each corner within the circuit, starting from T1 all the way to the last corner, T18.

We were also given the chance to experience racing on simulation racing rig provided at the Porsche Centre Ara Damansara.

Although not achieving a faster lap time, the valuable experience gained throughout the day spent there will be unforgettable.

It was also satisfying to be able to try out the simulation racing rig setup, which is much more expensive than what the writer has at home. It is hoped that more events like this can be organized in the future to further enhance the esports scene in Malaysia.