UMW Toyota has officially pulled the wraps off TGR Racing Malaysia. This new outfit is headed for the GT4 class of the 2026 Thailand Super Series, marking a major leap for Toyota Malaysia into regional GT competition and the next logical step for local motorsport. Building on the experience gained through eight seasons of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge since 2017, TGR Racing Malaysia is now expanding its motorsport activities into sustained regional GT competition.
The squad is spearheaded by an elite, all-Malaysian driver line-up that blends seasoned veterans with rising stars. Shaun Thong, 31, serves as the team’s most decorated veteran with over 25 years of experience, 45 race wins, and seven championship titles. A former Audi Sport junior driver, Thong has conquered the TCR Asia title at the 70th Macau Grand Prix and remains the only Malaysian to win the Fuji SuperTec 24 Hours twice.
Joining him is Weiron Tan, 31, a versatile pioneer who was the first Malaysian to win an oval race in the USA and part of the first all-Asian line-up to claim a World Endurance Championship (WEC) victory in the LMP2 class. Tan’s expansive background also includes roles as an Audi Sport Asia works driver and a Junior Development Driver for Caterham F1.
Representing the next generation of endurance talent is 24-year old Nazim Azman, who spent six years climbing the European single-seater ladder. After competing in FIA Formula 3 and finishing fourth in the Euroformula Open, Azman successfully transitioned to GT racing through the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.
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Completing the roster is 19-year old Putera Adam, a star pupil of Toyota’s Young Talent Development Program. Adam recently became the first Asian driver to win the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe PRO title and already has a history of success in Thailand, having secured GTC class victories at both the Chang and Bangsaen circuits.
The weapons of choice for this national assault are two GR Supra GT4 EVO2 race cars. These track-only beasts are factory-developed by TGR Racing Europe and feature a three-litre in-line six-cylinder engine pushing up to 660 Nm of torque.
To ensure precision handling, the cars are equipped with KW adjustable racing dampers, Brembo six-piston front racing callipers, and a revised aerodynamics package. Surviving the gruelling regional heat is made possible through enhanced engine cooling and refined ABS calibration, both updated based on direct feedback from professional drivers worldwide.
For the uninitiated, GT4 is a category regulated by the SRO Motorsports Group. It features cars derived from production models that have been homologated through strict technical rules. To keep things fair, the series uses Balance of Performance (BoP). This essentially handicaps the faster cars to ensure the manufacturers are on an even playing field.
While the racing team’s inaugural season will focus on preparation and learning, it is committed to steady progress toward becoming a series contender. This will include imparting specialised knowledge and experience to Malaysian technical and race operations personnel who will be working alongside their Japanese counterparts.
The Thailand Super Series kicks off a pre-season test from 22-23 April at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram ahead of the opening round from 21-24 May at the same circuit. Round two will be held from 1-5 July, in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Bangsaen Grand Prix international street racing festival in Chonburi.
Rounds three and four will move to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit from 21-23 August and 18-20 September, respectively, with the finale returning to the Chang International Circuit from 30 Oct-1 Nov.
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